Howd you manage to get the dealer to replace the actuator? Had you not yet paid for the car?
This was longer than I meant it to be...sorry
Buying it and getting it delivered was a difficult process, and if that dealer never sees me again, they will be very happy.
I bought it after trade in but before it officially hit the lot, so it hadn't been through service yet. I actually didn't test drive it since it was on the lift (I got to inspect it on the lift). I paid for it, but didn't get it for a week because they were replacing the steering rack, tie rod ends, and rear wiper motor.
When I picked it up, I had them notate that I hadn't test drove it, and they agreed to start my "Four day no questions asked return" and "Two month drive train warranty" that day rather than when I paid.
As soon as I got in it, I tried locking the center diff right then and there. It didn't lock, so I went back in and told them.
The sales dept tried a lot of bullshit on me about how involved 4x4s are and the components are tough to understand....they said it was working fine, and I was just confused as to how it operated. Side note...I've worked on vehicles independently for over 25 years. I even owned an LX470
Long story (not really) shortened....after getting the general sales manager involved, lots of heated discussion, and finally telling them to refund my money (remember the no question return policy?), they agreed to fix it on their dime.
Took them just short of two weeks. At one point the general sales manager told me that the part was very big and expensive, and had to be shipped from Japan. :doh:
At the beginning of the second week, I ended up telling the general manager that if I didn't have it by Friday at 1 pm, I would be taking their brand new 4Runner moose hunting for 10 days. It was ready the next day.
Interestingly enough, when I picked it up, the service manager was very nice and apologetic. He told me they (the service dept) never knew it was supposed to be a rush job until I told the sales dept I was taking the new one hunting. Apparently the Used Car Sales Dept and the Service Dept don't communicate well at this dealership.
Anyway, the reason I held out for this one is because it was the only 4.7 I could find within a reasonable distance, and it has had every single recommended service done at Toyota dealers. I have all the records from Toyota....from the first 5k service to now.
Epilogue: The center diff locked as soon as I tried it after replacement, and when I got home, I immediately put it up on my lift and inspected their work. Other than being a little sloppy with the fipg, they did what they were supposed to do.
