Busted diff - Page 5

kiskat23 · 09-11-2007, 08:28 AM

Quote:

BMThiker previously said:

Chris, typically it's loose dirt or gravel that's popping these ring gears. The situation is that the tires are spinning (locked rear or not locked doesn't seem to matter) and then grab. If the rear bounces at all then you're putting extra force on the rear diff, axles, etc...However, the last couple that I've seen pop were not hitting it hard at all, but were going up hill. In fact Milkyxj was barely spinning his tires when his happened. We were using the left foot braking technique to prevent any unwanted spin too.

As far as I know, there is NO TSB for this issue. Toyota Corp has decided to deal with this on a case by case method. The majority of FJ's in the market don't go offroad and won't stress the ring gears enough to grenade them. What sucks for Milkxj right now is that a Regional Service Mgr turned him down so now it's in the entire SET system and no one will touch it now, unless we get some intervention or he tows it to the Gulf States area.

A new diff is around $1200, not including labor. We need someone to sell aftermarket "stock" ring gear/pinion sets, that would be cheaper than buying an entire 3rd member. I considered re-gearing to 4.56 until I heard there were VSC or A-Trac issues.

My original story is here

I have now witnessed this myself and I am curious if anyone has the rear diff grenade with stock tires? I was wheelin with Jamie and was out taking pix when his rig blew and this is a hill I have been up a ton with my stock POS tires. I know yours doesn't and neither did Jamie's and I am just curious because your explanation is spot on. He was spinning and then his Mickey T's hooked up and blam it went. I obviously want aftermarket tires (waiting for the Dunlops to wear out) but, down here (& with the exception of guardrail at Tellico) I have not been denied by any obstacle aftermarket shoes tackled. I am just curious if anyone has had the diff blow with stock tires. K

BMThiker · 09-11-2007, 08:54 AM

The FJTT rig that blew this weekend was running BFG ATs. Hardly big clunky tires.

Sean K. · 09-11-2007, 02:15 PM

Quote:

BMThiker previously said:

We need someone to sell aftermarket "stock" ring gear/pinion sets, that would be cheaper than buying an entire 3rd member.

What's different about 7.8" ring and pinions in the FJC rear end vs. a regular Tacoma or HiLux pickup rear end? My understanding is they are the same.

If that's the case, new gear sets are usually less than $300.

Sean

Lab_guy · 09-11-2007, 02:54 PM

Quote:

BMThiker previously said:

The FJTT rig that blew this weekend was running BFG ATs. Hardly big clunky tires.

I have a very early build FJC. I know I'll blow the rear at the worst time. I wish there was a way to get the rear rebuilt with out costing an arm and a leg or some way to know if I was one of the unlucky ones without having to blow up the rear diff. I would hate to do it by accident when the going gets tough.

PaulThePhotographer · 09-11-2007, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Lab_guy previously said:

I have a very early build FJC. I know I'll blow the rear at the worst time. I wish there was a way to get the rear rebuilt with out costing an arm and a leg or some way to know if I was one of the unlucky ones without having to blow up the rear diff. I would hate to do it by accident when the going gets tough.

My thought also. I do a lot of exploring by myself. And I am an old fat guy who would have a hard time wrenching on a busted diff, way out in the boonies.

Milkyxj · 09-11-2007, 04:43 PM

So I just got off the phone with Toyota and they're refusing to cover it because the dealer wrote it up as "rear diff broken because of abuse." Because of that Toyota won't cover it. Even though tons of other diffs are blowing up, 2 of which were covered down at Atlanta Toyota, they won't cover mine. I requested a special investigator to go look at my truck but my options are pretty thin right now. So, thanks toyota for really backing up your products.

**FJCRUSR** · 09-11-2007, 05:07 PM

Garry, I just called The Mall Of Georgia Toyota where I bough my FJC for you and I explained your situation with Milton Toyota and they said to bring it in and let them look at it and they will look if Toyota put something out about the gear problems or may just do the repair anyway after looking at it...If you wanna know more just PM me your phone number and I'll call you.

**stringmachine** · 09-11-2007, 05:15 PM

Good luck with this

gascolator · 09-11-2007, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Milkyxj previously said:

So I just got off the phone with Toyota and they're refusing to cover it because the dealer wrote it up as "rear diff broken because of abuse." Because of that Toyota won't cover it. Even though tons of other diffs are blowing up, 2 of which were covered down at Atlanta Toyota, they won't cover mine. I requested a special investigator to go look at my truck but my options are pretty thin right now. So, thanks toyota for really backing up your products.

Don't wait. Go straight down to small claims court, file, and serve
the dealer immediately.

Once he has the lawsuit in his hands, he might decide to change his
tune.

Then tell him you'll be happy to drop the suit if he does, but note that
you'll also be filing an FTC complaint which you won't drop in any case,
once it's filed...but you haven't done so yet.

Then he'll know you're serious.

Sean K. · 09-11-2007, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Milkyxj previously said:

So I just got off the phone with Toyota and they're refusing to cover it because the dealer wrote it up as "rear diff broken because of abuse." Because of that Toyota won't cover it. Even though tons of other diffs are blowing up, 2 of which were covered down at Atlanta Toyota, they won't cover mine. I requested a special investigator to go look at my truck but my options are pretty thin right now. So, thanks toyota for really backing up your products.

Sorry to hear this. If it is in fact a heat treat problem on the gears and Toyota still refuses to cover it, you may want to consider getting a set from US Gear. They've been making them for Toyota 7.8" diffs for years and are a good quality set. They usually run between $2-300 for the gears, master install kits are $100 or so and installing can be anywhere from a few hundred to $500.

Hope Toyota steps up and takes care of what seems to be a mfg. defect for ya. If not though....you have another option.

HTH,
Sean