My Maintenance Schedule has stripped a gear...

[Dan_69GTX]

Well, service manager called and said the material in the axle is normal and that I should have changed the oil at 20,000 miles since I tow with it. I said I've put 8k towing, and the material isn't insignificant. She said tech says it is normal and that it needs to be flushed and oil changed. sigh.... This will be a no win situation for me. I'll just have to rebuild the axle myself if it causes a major issue.

Guess I'll buy their oil from them so I have a receipt and do it this weekend when I install my new covers I just bought from Geno's. That way IF (unlikely) the front axle catastrophically fails, they will have to come up with another excuse to not cover it.

I can't believe they think that metal grit is normal.

I've not had a problem with the Toyota dealer, but these folks.....well.....can't recommend my son by a mopar product that might need dealer work.

 

[jgillott]

We are talking about the front axle here correct? I'd love for the dealer to put in writing what towing and the front axle have to do with each other.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Yes, we are talking about the front axle. At least that is what I'm talking about - who knows what the dealer is talking about....sigh.

You had me double check the work order - yes, the looked at the front axle.

So, I bought the MOPAR oil, and will do the change, flush it out, and hope for the best.

I would really love to know what were they thinking, if they really thought this is normal.

 

[jgillott]

Sounds to me like they just don't want to deal with it.

 

[mwilson]

Sounds to me like they just don't want to deal with it.

Same here.

 

[Wayne M.]

My dealer threatens a diag fee of $150 if they think you’re sending them on a wild goose chase.

 

[DavidC]

A wonderful Toyota Day. Cindy is over the Daughters and my phone rings. The Van will not crank, nothing at all. First thing that comes to mind is the battery went TU. Pack up the charger/starter, extension cord ,some metric tools and voltmeter. Arrive there check battery static voltage, 12.5vdc. Climb in, dome lights lit, try to start with no response and no light dimming. It acts like an alarm system that locks out the starter but this does not have one. No service manual, no computer. Using the daughter's phone as to what to check. One bright fellow on a previous post states "I think you have a control problem", well DUH I would guess that also. Have no idea where the neutral safety switch is. Moved the trans. selector several times trying in park and neutral with a no go. Disconnect battery for a few minutes grasping at straws. No go again. No floor jack so I have to use that crappy thing from the factory with a 18" handle. I start under the van when Cindy comes out with a diagram of where the starter is. Of course it is buried under the air cleaner box and barely visible. I tried starting and hear a clicking under the dash which is apparently the starter relay so I assume all of that is ok. The next step is to get something I can get to the solenoid with and do the tap method. I finally get that done without removing everything in the way and viola it starts. I remember looking at service manuals when we bought this thing and it was upwards of $600.00. Guess it was the translation fee to English. So now Auto Zone wants $186 for a new Duralast starter. I check Rock Auto $96 for a new starter and $37 for it to be here Friday. So all I have to do is make sure it starts until the starter comes. Replacement doesn't look to bad removing the air box some intake plastic ducting a bracket or two and the starter. This thing has 86k on the odometer and I have replaced multiple disc brake pads, rotors, AC compressor and now it will be a starter. It still has an intermittent chk engine for the knock sensor. "Let's go someplace" my a**.

 

[JR]

I didn't know your wife followed you with a second vehicle to the great white North. At least worst case scenario you have a back up vehicle? I know, not what you want to hear. Hopefully the R&R goes smooth.

 

[DavidC]

Yeah she was behind me with the $2500+dining table and expensive chairs in the back of the van that we gave the kids. It was to expensive to ship it. You need not say anything, I just needed my Toyota vent time.

 

[DavidC]

Daughter just texted me, the starter from Rock Auto just arrived. Guess what I'm doing tomorrow. 60% chance of rain. Decided to change it out at her place, since they are moving in and the garage looks like a bomb went off I may be able to get enough of the nose in so I don't get drenched.At least I can see an end to the starter tapping, that is getting old real fast.

 

[TFucili]

Hoping for blue skies and smooth sailing, Dave.

 

[DavidC]

Toyota starter done. I guess it had enough of being beaten into submission. I was going to do this in the Daughters garage but 50 degrees and raining I beat that thing about 8 times with no contact. So I changed it in the park, cold and rainy so no one was out. Despite me getting soaking wet it actually went very well and the positive side is it happened here and not on the road to Az. I retired the beating tool back to the tool box. Auto-Zone wanted $185-190 for a new starter, Rock Auto $94 + $40 expedited shipping I still managed to save about $75. The starter was built brand new on 3/4/2019 and appears well built.

 

[jgillott]

Good work Dave. It's always good to get something done and save a few bucks in the process.

 

[jgillott]

Next up on my docket of repair is the roof AC seal on my Sprinter. It is starting to dribble a little in heavy rain. Thinking of selling the van and I'm not sure if I should fix it first or not. If we keep it, I'll fix it for sure. This is a known problem with those units so I'm not surprised to be seeing it.

 

[DavidC]

Applying a glaze before waxing to preserve clear coat.
Finally have an overcast day with minimal wind and no rain. There has been a mark about 2' long on the passenger side of the hood that has been driving me crazy for about 6 Months with my OCD. It was not real prominent but I knew it was there and caused by the fabric covers I use to use along with some other small marks. I used the DA with a polishing compound removing the cover mark but did not spend much time with the lighter ones which I did not remove completely to see what happens. Applied the glaze to the hood and both fenders. It definately turned out stunning. Could not see one mark on anything. I then covered that with Collinite 915 which also has minor filling capabilities with it's high carnuba content. So is the glaze worth the extra step ?. I think so as you only have so much clear coat and it keeps you from removing some during the buffing stage that is a good thing.

 

[DavidC]

It is coming time for the timing belt/water pump change on the Wife's Toyota Sienna 3.3. Ordered all the parts from rockauto at the tune of about $250.00. That includes the timing belt kit, 3 gallons of antifreeze, serpentine belt and power steering belt. It's not really a hard job just time intensive. I have heard about 5hrs and that may be in my younger days.

 

[Wayne M.]

Dave, keep us posted on this.

 

[DavidC]

Dave, keep us posted on this.

Yes Sir.

 

[JR]

Do they recommend changing the water pump at the timing belt interval?

 

[DavidC]

Do they recommend changing the water pump at the timing belt interval?

Don't know about recommending. Right now it is sitting at 91k and in toyota's infinite wisdom the water pump is in back of the timing belt so it makes common sense to change it out.