Actuator sticky, but Still shifting. Will Toyota replace?

[Dougtoms01]

Actuator sticking, but Still shifting. Will Toyota replace?

Hello, hope all is well this morning.
I bought a 2008 SR5, V6 about 1 month ago with 32,000 miles. Before I bought it, I had the dealer take it to Toyota because it would not always shift into 4WD without rolling it forwards or backwards and then it would kick in with a slight clunk. After they took it to Toyota, I got a report back that the actuator was sticking and they lubricated it. It worked fine shifting without having to roll it. Now about a month later, it's doing the same thing. The manual states to roll it forwards or backwards if it doesn't automatically shift on it's own. Do you think Toyota will replace the actuator under warranty or is this common enough that they will only respond if it stops shifting all together? Any experiences out there would be helpful. Best regards, Doug

 

[4RunnerFan]

My guess is Toyota will say this is normal, especially since the same condition is discussed in the owner's manual; but since your warranty is close to expiring, it would be best to take it in and ask.

 

[Dougtoms01]

Thanks, I guess that's all I can do. I was hoping someone else may have had some luck having it replaced before I take off work to have it checked. It just seems like the 4WD should go green and stable as really designed. If it's acting up already at 32,000, I am afraid I will be paying for a replacement myself down the road. UGH! Best regards, Doug

 

[KB084RUNNER]

Mine has 56,000 miles and shifts into 4wd hi and the torson locks easily but clunks when the oil is cold. When shifting into 4lo it takes a few seconds. Normal from not a lot of use. You should run the truck in 4hi at least 10 miles a month and shift into 4 lo once a month at a MINIMUM according to my dealer.

Change the tcase oil and put some Mobil175w90LS in there and then shift it in and out 3-4 times a week until it frees up.

 

[pullagnm]

I had this issue. The 4wd was always smooth then one day it started making noises when engaging and would kick a little going into gear. Took it to where I bought my Toyota from. After a week they said it was normal. I told them it was not and refused to take it back until they fixed it. Well after another week they concluded that it was my tires causing this. They said that my tires where off by mm of each other causing an unbalance on the transmission which causes the 4wd to engage this way (yeah right). They told me they put new tires on it and it improved, I asked them why didn't you call me when you did this so I could see the difference? Anyways it was a losing battle.

So after two weeks I picked my 4runner up and it has worked flawlessly ever since, and I still have the same tires on it. I've lost faith in Toyota after this whole ordeal and besause of the issue with the thump, bump I have when accelerating after a stop.

 

[Dougtoms01]

Just had the 30,000 mile service done last week at the dealership so they couldn't say it was done wrong. I asked them to check the shifting et, and they said "ok at this time". I did drive it in 4WD 10 miles and then shifted through all the options. I have been told the same from the mechanics. I think I'll go through the 4WD shifting again this week and see if it responds better. If not, I'll try another visit and see what they do. Thanks for your input. Best regards, Doug

 

[03_4x4Runner]

After they took it to Toyota, I got a report back that the actuator was sticking and they lubricated it.

I call B.S. on this. There is no way to lubricate it. The seals and everything has no external access. Thet just exercised it several times untill it worked.

 

[Dougtoms01]

Good to know, I can call them out on the BS and maybe make some headway. I have the paperwork where they specifically say they lubricated it . Best regards, Doug

 

[DC runner]

Technically speaking, exercising it would lubricate it.

But, regardless. Every vehicle I have ever owned that had "on the fly" 4wd shifting had A.D.D and would sometimes have a little lag or little clunk in shifting with no problem.

In the old days, on the 1st gen runner, you were specifically instructed to back up X feet to let it engage. Sure things are smoother now, but the A.D.D on these runners operates in a similar fashion. A slight clunk, when engaging from a stop, is normal. h2 to h4 can be done on the fly and it will often engage smoother this way than from a stop.

I owned a 1st/2nd 4runner, a 3rd gen truck (99 tacoma) and now a 2005 4runner and then "on the fly" on all operates very similar. Depending, I would sometimes get that little cluck as the 4wd kicked in, sometimes not.

I don't really consider that a sticky issue, more a gear engaging issue.


Now, the 4lo actuator... I hear that thing is a nightmare. Mine works fine, but I hear rumor it goes out if not used.

 

[Dougtoms01]

Thanks for the information. I just went out and took it through all it's operation. After the 1st time, it went into 4WD without moving it forwards or reverse. 4Lo locked in fine and I just drove it about 10 feet slowly then switched back. I think from what everyone is saying, this is normal and we should just be sure to go through this exercise at least 1/month. We still have warranty thru 7yrs/70,000 so we should be ok as long as we exercise it routinely. I feel better now after discussing this with T4R group. Thanks Gentlemen. Have a great day!

 

[bstave]

Actuator

I just picked up a 05 SR5 V8 and noticed the previous owner replaced the actuator by looking up the VIN on Toyota's website. $2,200 later. Wow! I hope it lasts!