Leaking Differential Gasket, anybody else?
- Thread starter dareames
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TranceKrayz
New member
this is the first i've heard of it. hopefully it was just a defected gasket.
dareames
New member
update...
It was a defective gasket and the dealer replaced it with a new one. However, I've noticed something new. When I get up to highway speed, I notice a high pitched whine. When I take my foot off the pedal, it stops. When I give it gas again, it comes back. I don't remember that sound before, but I could be wrong. Does anybody else have this high pitched sound?
It was a defective gasket and the dealer replaced it with a new one. However, I've noticed something new. When I get up to highway speed, I notice a high pitched whine. When I take my foot off the pedal, it stops. When I give it gas again, it comes back. I don't remember that sound before, but I could be wrong. Does anybody else have this high pitched sound?
dareames
New member
update.....
Okay, here's the latest on my differential problem:
After they replaced the gasket, a few days later, I noticed the thing was dripping again!!! I was really close to the 5000 mile mark, so I waited a week or two before bringing it back in so they could do the oil change and tire rotation at the same time. When I took it back in, they said it was a "bad cast" of the differential casing. Not what I would have expected from a Toyota!!! I also mentioned the whining noise and they said that was a "pinion bearing" or something like that (I'm not a mechanic). They ordered a replacement for both the differential casing and the pinion bearing. I take my truck back to them on Monday for them to do the work.
Oh, they also didn't use the spare when they rotated my tires, so I'm going to have them redo the rotation. I think the tire warrant states that the spare has to be included in the rotation.
Wish me luck!!!!
Doug
Okay, here's the latest on my differential problem:
After they replaced the gasket, a few days later, I noticed the thing was dripping again!!! I was really close to the 5000 mile mark, so I waited a week or two before bringing it back in so they could do the oil change and tire rotation at the same time. When I took it back in, they said it was a "bad cast" of the differential casing. Not what I would have expected from a Toyota!!! I also mentioned the whining noise and they said that was a "pinion bearing" or something like that (I'm not a mechanic). They ordered a replacement for both the differential casing and the pinion bearing. I take my truck back to them on Monday for them to do the work.
Oh, they also didn't use the spare when they rotated my tires, so I'm going to have them redo the rotation. I think the tire warrant states that the spare has to be included in the rotation.
Wish me luck!!!!
Doug
dareames
New member
finally....
Well, after the local Toyota dealership having my 4Runner for 11 days, they finally have it fixed. They had to replace the whole rear end!!! I was shocked! So a lot of the time they had it they were waiting for parts. They had it done at one point but still noticed the high pitched whine coming from the rear end, so they orded a the whole thing. Now, I have no leak and no whining noise!! My 4Runner is once again extremely quiet going down the highway! Man, did I ever miss my truck! They gave me a rental car to drive....a Pontiac Bonneville. Made me appreciate my truck once I got it back yesterday!!!
I hope nobody else has to go through this. This turned out to be a major warranty repair.
Doug
Well, after the local Toyota dealership having my 4Runner for 11 days, they finally have it fixed. They had to replace the whole rear end!!! I was shocked! So a lot of the time they had it they were waiting for parts. They had it done at one point but still noticed the high pitched whine coming from the rear end, so they orded a the whole thing. Now, I have no leak and no whining noise!! My 4Runner is once again extremely quiet going down the highway! Man, did I ever miss my truck! They gave me a rental car to drive....a Pontiac Bonneville. Made me appreciate my truck once I got it back yesterday!!!
I hope nobody else has to go through this. This turned out to be a major warranty repair.
Doug
dareames
New member
Here we go again!!!!
About 2 weeks ago I noticed the high pitched whinning noise again. It was alot worse this time. I've also noticed that I feel a vibratation when I take off some times. I looked under the back of the truck and noticed a drop of oil on the bottom of the differential. I'm thinking "CRAP!". So, I'm taking it back to the dealer for the 3rd time for the same problem.
I looked up the Arkansas Lemon Law and they get 4 chances to fix the problem. If it happens again after this 3rd attempt, then I have to send a certified letter to Toyota stating that I'm giving them one final chance to get it right. After that, I have the right to demand a refund or another vehicle. I would opt for another vehicle and I'd get the exact same thing I have now. I don't think this is a design flaw, I just think I got a bad truck.
Doug
About 2 weeks ago I noticed the high pitched whinning noise again. It was alot worse this time. I've also noticed that I feel a vibratation when I take off some times. I looked under the back of the truck and noticed a drop of oil on the bottom of the differential. I'm thinking "CRAP!". So, I'm taking it back to the dealer for the 3rd time for the same problem.
I looked up the Arkansas Lemon Law and they get 4 chances to fix the problem. If it happens again after this 3rd attempt, then I have to send a certified letter to Toyota stating that I'm giving them one final chance to get it right. After that, I have the right to demand a refund or another vehicle. I would opt for another vehicle and I'd get the exact same thing I have now. I don't think this is a design flaw, I just think I got a bad truck.
Doug
dareames
New member
here we go......again!
Well, I just got my truck back from the dealer again. They replaced the pinion bearing again. Still didn't fix the problem. So, Toyota told them to order a whole rear-end. So, I'll be taking it back to the dealer when that comes in. Lemon law is looking pretty good right about now.
Well, I just got my truck back from the dealer again. They replaced the pinion bearing again. Still didn't fix the problem. So, Toyota told them to order a whole rear-end. So, I'll be taking it back to the dealer when that comes in. Lemon law is looking pretty good right about now.
dareames
New member
man I'm pissed!!!
Well, Friday night (the day after they replaced the pinion bearing), I tried to take my family to my parents' house (5 hours away). The dealer told me it was ok for me to drive the 4 Runner. We didn't get 20 miles down the highway and the truck lost some power and starting making a grinding noise, a really bad grinding noise. I was stranded in the middle of nowhere. Had to call Roadside Assistance and get them to tow me back to the dealer. They were closed at the time so I went there first thing Saturday morning. They had no remorse!!! Told me the rental places were all closed this weekend (after calling and not getting an answer) and that I was out of luck. So, I went to the rental place myself and found that they were open. Then called the dealer on my cell phone and handed the phone to the rental agent. They rented me a KIA mini van. I made the trip ok (1/2 a day late). The saga continues....
Well, Friday night (the day after they replaced the pinion bearing), I tried to take my family to my parents' house (5 hours away). The dealer told me it was ok for me to drive the 4 Runner. We didn't get 20 miles down the highway and the truck lost some power and starting making a grinding noise, a really bad grinding noise. I was stranded in the middle of nowhere. Had to call Roadside Assistance and get them to tow me back to the dealer. They were closed at the time so I went there first thing Saturday morning. They had no remorse!!! Told me the rental places were all closed this weekend (after calling and not getting an answer) and that I was out of luck. So, I went to the rental place myself and found that they were open. Then called the dealer on my cell phone and handed the phone to the rental agent. They rented me a KIA mini van. I made the trip ok (1/2 a day late). The saga continues....
Last edited:
TX99limited
New member
go get a new car.. hope everything will work out jsut fine.
dareames
New member
yes....it happened again!
Well, strike 3 for Toyota! About 2 weeks after they replaced the whole rear-end in my 2005 4Runner, the whining noise came back again! I took it by the dealership to get my seat heater switches replaced and told them about it. I told them they could take it for a test drive, but to not order any parts or attempt to repair it. They noted on the ticket that the problem had come back.
I will now attempt to get in touch with Toyota and send them a certified letter explaining the Arkansas Lemon Law and that they've fixed this problem 3 times already and that it is acting up again. They will have 10 days from the receipt of the letter to schedule the final repair attempt and 10 days to get it repaired. If it is not repaired after that, I will demand a replacement vehicle under the Arkansas New Motor Vehicle Quality Assurance Act.
I will most likely replace it with another 4Runner. I believe that the problem is not with the model, but with the particular 4Runner that I got because I haven't heard very many other 4Runner owners that have had the same problem.
Doug
Well, strike 3 for Toyota! About 2 weeks after they replaced the whole rear-end in my 2005 4Runner, the whining noise came back again! I took it by the dealership to get my seat heater switches replaced and told them about it. I told them they could take it for a test drive, but to not order any parts or attempt to repair it. They noted on the ticket that the problem had come back.
I will now attempt to get in touch with Toyota and send them a certified letter explaining the Arkansas Lemon Law and that they've fixed this problem 3 times already and that it is acting up again. They will have 10 days from the receipt of the letter to schedule the final repair attempt and 10 days to get it repaired. If it is not repaired after that, I will demand a replacement vehicle under the Arkansas New Motor Vehicle Quality Assurance Act.
I will most likely replace it with another 4Runner. I believe that the problem is not with the model, but with the particular 4Runner that I got because I haven't heard very many other 4Runner owners that have had the same problem.
Doug
toybox
New member
Well I just noticed that my rear diff is leaking. Man I hope it doesn't lead to any of the problems stated above. I'm hoping it is just a gasket.
Can I request that they put back in syntetic oil since that is what I already changed it to? Speaking of that I changed it to Amsoil, do you think that will be an issue? I know at least some of their oils don't have the star cert. but I don't know about the gear oil.
Can I request that they put back in syntetic oil since that is what I already changed it to? Speaking of that I changed it to Amsoil, do you think that will be an issue? I know at least some of their oils don't have the star cert. but I don't know about the gear oil.
