Quote:
athenaceleste previously said:
I've got nothing but the run around from Toyota so far. No actual offices that can "do something" are open on the weekend...and I don't know how we're going to drive her home I would guestimate 400 miles. We were told it'll be ok to drive...we're going to try to get the broken piece from the third member in the diff...but is there anything else we should be aware of? Is this diff failure known within the dealers/service dpts? Is it based on the dealerships disgretion who covers and who doesn't? Did they reimburse you on the tow bill?
Let me know your experiences please!!
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I know it's tough....but try and have some patience. Sucks to be in that situation, especially on vacation far from home. Since it's Saturday, corporate can't really do much for ya.
I saw in the blown rear diff thread you had an 10/06 build date. I think that's technically still the "bad" sets of gears from Mexico. Hopefully, the dealer you take it to will know about the problem and won't blame "modification" as an excuse to void the warranty. Personally, I'd get it squeaky clean before taking it in and try to claim that you don't wheel it...unless of course you have visible rock scarring on the undercarriage....in which case, you're going to have to admit you do use it. Regardless, if you only have factory warranty, you may be hosed....I think you said you were at 37K miles...not sure if warranty ends at 36K.
I don't agree about it being "okay" to drive. Is it "bucking" at all? Even if it isn't, I'd still recommend you jack it up, take off both rear wheels, take out the 4 bolts on each backing plate to the brakes, slide the axles out, then unbolt the rear driveshaft at the pinion and pull the third member. Check and see how much damage is there and fish out all the broken gear pieces. Then you'll have to decide how to proceed based on what the gears look like. If there's teeth missing or visible fissures, I'd say remove the rear d/s and drive slowly to the dealer with front wheel drive. Don't be surprised if it bucks and makes all kinds of noise as the ring and pinion come apart. If it seizes or creates drag, you may have to pull the third to continue on....but be aware, you're going to have leave oil in the housing to lubricate the outer wheel bearings. At that point, you may end up having to pull the ring off the carrier by first taking off the 4 cap head bolts holding the carrier into the 3rd member. It's not like it'll matter.....that gear's junk. But at least then you can use the broken third as a "plug" for the giant hole in the housing....hell, it may be better to just do it BEFORE you start trying to drive to avoid any seizing issue....though Toyota will likely claim your disassembly voids the warranty b/c they can't see what caused the failure.
It should be obvious though that having it towed on a trailer would be a the optimal (though most costly) solution. Too bad I'm not up there or I'd just tow you in to the closest dealership.
HTH,
Sean
blown rear diff!
Linear Mode
