Front end vibrations, 2003,2004 AWD V8

[dick13]

Those who had this problem that I had logged over the last year!
Brewster,Toyo, Nodak, Oscraz, Jrbt1. Battlewagon, Ericr, Pit Bull, and others.
I wonder what happened to your problem. Have any of you gone to arbitration? Did you ever get anything resolved with your dealer of with Toyota Corp.? After a little over a year, Customer Relations got tired of hearing from me and sent me a
Regional Rep. to appease me. I have had two offers: 1) An extended Warranty Policy. or 2) a $250 check to be used for service work (in one session). They also said that Toyota is still working on the problem and that I would be eligible for repair if they get a fix.
I was told by another dealer that this is typical for this kind of problem. They hope to gradually get rid of those who complain and also hope the others will just go away. What say you?
dick13 [email protected]

 

[Brewster]

I haven't given up, but I'm not sure what's best to do next. I sent a certified letter of complaint to Totoya. I asked for repair, not replacement, and asked when a fix was expected. I got a chain of unsatisfactory phone calls - from Toyota, the distributor (Gulf States), and the dealer.

I'm told that Toyota is not getting many complaints now, so they've lowered the priority of fixing the problem. They also claim that the vibration will have no effect on reliability. Vibration always affects reliability, so this is of no comfort. (If this is a vibration that is within normal drivetrain design parameters, but is usually isolated from the driver, then Toyota's claim may be reasonable, but I got no explanation of what is actually wrong.)

I seem to recall that a couple of owners have lost arbitration on this, which surprises me. Why is it OK to fix only the GX470s? Yes, they cost more, but, to the best of my recollection as a former Lexus owner, the Lexus warrany is longer but not otherwise better, at least in writing.

I think it's correct that Toyota is just fighting a battle of attrition here, since their sales are good. Apparently, they don't think it's worth fixing, even though on my 4Runner the vibration can be extremely annoying.

 

[NoDak]

over time the vibration has gotten less (or i have gotten use to it) since i normally drive between 70-75 to and from work 5 days a week. on some mornings, the vibration is really bad, but i think its due to the dunlops at20's since about 2-3 miles from home they stopped vibrating after warming up and the shake seems to feel like a unbalanced tire(s). there is no gsp9000 in town that i know of so im kinda leary atm to get new tires installed and have someone make things worse.

next set of tires i get will be the revo's but no point installing them if i cant trust anyone around to balance them correctly.

 

[jtb71]

I've tried to give Toyota the benifit of the doubt, and given them the summer to get a fix. I'll tell you what, though, cold weather is coming, and the complaints will be back as well. The colder the temp, the worse the noise. I will be back on the warpath when the noise is obvious enough to show the tech, the rep. and whoever it takes to resolve the issue. I can tell you $250 isn't going to cut it. I have all the paperwork filled out and all my docs. in order, but I needed to be able to back it up more obviously. Cold front hitting VA this week. Yeehah!

 

[toyo]

Mine still does it. What is frustrating is that it is not consistant. Some days are worse than others, same road, speed you name it. Dealer is telling me that it is normal for this vehicle. I will keep you posted, I will keep pressing.

 

[Kanab]

My vibs disappeared. I now have around 11K miles on mine. Hope you guys get your problem corrected.

 

[Brewster]

Toyo, I'm taking my T4R to my dealer for the 15K service next week. Since I tow occasionally, the 15K service includes changing the fluid in both differentials. (The dealer wants to do more, but that's another story.) As I recall, you had Mobil 1 put in yours last winter, and reported that the vibration improved. I gather from your recent post that it didn't improve it enough to satisy you.

My dealer doesn't stock Mobil 1, so I'd have to get it myself and hope they really put it in. (So far, I like the service department, but mistakes happen.)

Do you still think it's worth doing from a vibration point of view?

BTW, my service writer says that she is told that Toyota is still working on a fix. I don't know how old that info is. I think we all need to keep pressuring Toyota to fix it. I notice that the compliants on the GX470 forums seemed to have stopped. I suspect that Toyota may have a production fix, but that they don't want to spend the money to repair the ones they've already sold.

 

[4route]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=975

lube, lube, and more lube.

 

[toyo]

Brewster, Mine did a little better for awhile when I channged fluids. It might just be conincedence. Mine is pretty smooth right now. I am going to do my 30k service this weekend. I will be changing out my fluids again.

Now on to bigger and better news. I was at my dealers parts dept yesterday. I have gotten to have a pretty good relationship with one of the service writers and the parts guy. I am always in there getting stuff for my business. The adviser asked me if I was getting any squeking sound in the front end. I told him no. HE said hes getting alot of those complaints. This brought up the drivetrain feel. To make a long stroy already shorter... He printed off the Lexus TSB and we reviewed it. Yes the parts are available through Toyota. I then spoke to the service manager. He is going to call the local zone office and see what they say about performing the fix on my truck. I will keep you posted.

 

[jtb71]

Toyo,

I tried this at my shop and Toyota shot it down. If you get the go ahead, please let us know so we have some ammo.

Thanks

 

[hre814]

Anyone have any ideas how many people have taken this to arbitration and lost? If you are one of them please let us know. I'm thinking about it. I had them send me paperwork.
I've done the following with no relief:
grease the drivetrain (have done so with every oil change)
change diff fluid
try a different sent of rims and tires

Herman

 

[MrTom]

"Brewster" has said it:
"I'm told that Toyota is not getting many complaints now, so they've lowered the priority of fixing the problem. "

It is not a problem with wheels or tires it is a problem with harmonics in the front differental support. Info on the topic is addressed in TRUCKTREND magazine, Nov/Dec 2004, pp 97. I had no problem getting a copy of the TSB that relates to this from my local Lexus dealer. I gave it to my dealer who was required to send it to Toyota Customer Relations when I complained to Toyota Customer Relationsl. Now I plan to send a registered copy of the article and the TSB to Toyota management, asking why the problem is being fixed for Lexus and not Toyota. If everyone else who is experiencing this problem, or any other problem, does much the same possibly it will get the attention of Toyota. Chatter on this and other sites about the topic means nothing to Toyota or to your dealer. If you do not file formal complaints with Toyota the problem will not be resolved. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

"I refuse to help those who will not help themselves."

 

[hre814]

I have already filed a complaint with Toyota Customer Relations and they told me there is nothing they can do about it and that it is between me and the dealer right now. The person stated that my complaint IS NOT a common complaint and that they defer to the techs for such things. I will send a letter with the Lexus TSB and ask for a solution. I have already asked for arbitration paperwork but I don't feel that will be fruitful.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

Just curious...

Is it only the V8 models with the vibration problem, 4WD and/or 2WD versions? Any V6 owners getting this, because I thought the driveline was the same on both except for the 5 speed tranny (pre-2005 models), and the fact that the V8 is AWD. I have had mine up to about 75mph in Vermont and never noticed a vibration (2WD mode). Haven't been that fast in 4WD.

No strange vibrations on mine, except there is a very faint buzz from somewhere in the right side dash at 1500 rpm's.

I was concerned I would get pulling or vibration when rotating the tires, but I have rotated the tires twice now (every 7500 miles) and each time no problems with any vibration. Tires are stock Bridgestone Dueler H/T 840's, I think. I am going in a clockwise direction, including the spare in the rotation since the tread is not directional.

 

[dick13]

Front end vibrations 2003,2004 AWD V8 fro

When Toyota Engineering had my dealer temporarily remove my front axels the problem disappeared! It's true, if you just complain and not to Toyota Corporate, nothing will get done. You'll find after a while they will send your complaint to a Regional customer relations person and they will try to get rid of you with some minor consessions. I've had three already!! I'm still waiting to get the problem fixed.

 

[MrTom]

hre814 posted: "The person stated that my complaint IS NOT a common complaint " .
What more can I say???

 

[Outback Paul]

I've got a V6 and I have the same problem. I'll press this issue in December.

I don't have a Lexus dealer in my small town. Is there anyway I can get a copy of the Lexus TSB or can you give me a TSB number?

Thanks

 

[MrTom]

The current issue of "TruckTrend" magazine has an article on their correspondence with Lexus/Toyota and gives the TSB number. A copy of that article in hand gives more credance to your case.

 

[Kanab]

The current issue of "TruckTrend" magazine has an article on their correspondence with Lexus/Toyota and gives the TSB number. A copy of that article in hand gives more credance to your case.

I take Truck Trend, is this a new issue you just received? or is this in the one I got a couple of months ago?

 

[MrTom]

* TruckTrend Nov.Dec 2004 pp 97
* Lexus TSB "ST004-04"

If you do not have a local Lexus dealer then Toyota does the service for Lexus and will have the Lexus TSB's. My Toyota dealer read the article and printed out the TSB for me. Since the part numbers are different he said he would could not order the parts and install them even if he wanted to. So an currently waiting to hear from Toyota-USA Corporate offices on the matter.

** Suggestion: If you ever send any correspondence always sent it "return receipt" via the Post Office. Someone has to sign for it, you get a receipt of delivery and it suggests a bit more of importance to the letter.**