torsion bars on 100 series ripping out

Hi Troopie

It seems that the 100's with the IFS sometimes is cracking when the torsion bars are wound up, its may even do it when they are not. It appears that the weld on the bottom of the front wishbone was not finsihed completely. ARB have brackets that cost about $25 to assist support this weak spot.
cheers
Crazie

Check with Member "Big Kidz" (aka Andrew McDonald) in Melbourne.....his front end eveloped a crack and he has fun and games with toyota over it.
Cheers
Roachie

Hi Troopie

This is what Toyota said to me regarding my vehicles cracked control arm. There were so polite in the letter!!! They say they do "not recommend modifications to vehicles that comply with Australian specifications". I believe that this is true though I wonder if they mean "we recommend you do not modify vehicles that comply with Australian conditions". I was not in the mood for a fight so I just paid the $800 to get it fixed myself and I hope that it all holds. I think that if your son wanting to tow a large caravan on bitumen roads then a 100series T/D like mine is the perfect vehicle!! I wonder if now Toyota would recommend that you not put a steel bullbar on the front of a landcruiser because the extra weight on the front suspension is likely to damage it and void your warranty. Depends on what they mean in the sentence that I have highlighted - seems ambiguous to me!!

Here is there cheery response too my enquiry.

Andrew

TOYOTA
TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION AUSTRALIA LIMITED ABN 64009686097
OUR REF:
8 March, 2005
Dear Mr McDonald
Thank you for your letter received on the 28th of February 2005 by the Customer Relations Department.
Quite rightly, our customers have high expectations of their Toyota vehicles as well as the National Dealership Network and we are sorry to learn that you have developed cracking in the right hand control arm of your Landcruiser.
Mr McDonald, whilst we are truly sympathetic to your situation, we must advise that Toyota Motor Corporation Australia do not recommend modifications to vehicles that comply with Australian specifications. Toyota New Vehicle Warranty applies to original components and accessories provided they are not altered or adjusted in any way.
As stated in your Warranty & Service booklet, non-approved modifications will not be covered by the Toyota New Vehicle Warranty, or the damage that they may cause.
Your concerns have been discussed with the Toyota Technical Operations Manager as well as The National Warranty Department. Due to the above, Toyota are unable to offer you the warranty assistance that you have requested.
The Customer Relations Department will not adjudicate on or overturn decisions passed down the Technical Operations and National Warranty Departments. Any decisions made by National Warranty are final.
Once again, we are sincerely sorry for any inconveniences caused and disappointments endured and trust that you will understand our position on this matter.
Thank you for writing to Toyota and offering us this opportunity to respond.
Yours sincerely,
>TA MOTOR CORPORATION AUSTRALIA LIMITED
Rankine CUSTOMER RELATIONS ADVISOR
Corner Captain Cook Drive & Gannons Road, Caringbah, NSW 2229 TMC-546 TELEPHONE: (02) 9710 3333 FACSIMILE: (02} 9710 3202 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.toyota.com.au
P.O. BOX 187, CARINGBAH, NSW 2229

JOKE! Quote"warranty only applies to original components so long as they are not altered or adjusted in any way"
SO, you are not supposed to adjust the adjustable torsion bars even if they sag thru use or thru adding extra weight such as normal load &/or accessories.
Seems to me they have a real engineering/safety problem which should be petitioned to the appropriate authorities for a recall & proper fix.
Must be over their warranty budget with broken diffs etc & no money for
goodwill/repairs.

Word has it the 5 speed box is crap too !!

Then there is the small hilux sized front diff in the front of the non IFS.

But don't listen to me, I drive a pootrol. lolololololol