Can I Trust Toyota?

Submitted: Friday, May 06, 2005 at 11:02

ThreadID: 22713 Views:3190 Replies:8 FollowUps:7

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WheelTravel

Hi all,

Have just taken my 78series Cruiser into Toyota for a 60k service and they have informed me of Grease in Diff oil and vice versa.

They are probably right as I changed front diff oil recently thinking it was contaminated by water, but apparently it's grease. But then again, my mechanic back home (we are currently travelling) says it's normal to have a bit of grease in diff oil?! But toyota reckons the diffoil is ratbleep.

Anyway, 60k service includes repacking front wheel bearings... , changing the knuckle seals etc. also needs this.

Problem is, to change the knuckle seals, they want an extra $690!!! on top of the $200 to repack the front bearings, ($100 for the rear)

Is this highway robbery?Seems a bit stiff.

Maybe somebody can reccomend a good cruiser mechanic in Adelaide?

Thanks for your help.

Cheers

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Reply By: Nudenut - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 11:16

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 11:41

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 11:41

Hi wheeltravel,

Black grease contaminating the diff oil (and diff oil contaminating the swivel hub) is very common particularly with full time 4wd LandCruisers. Its caused by wear and tear on the inner axle shaft seal, which by itself, is a very cheap part. Its less common on the part-time 78/79s unless you have your hubs locked in a lot. As far as the diff goes, it's just a nuisance - doesn't cause any significant problem, but oil getting into the swivel hub may lead to oil weaping out the wiper seal on the swivel hub (mess), and may impair lubrication to the Birfield (CV) joint.

Toyota are quoting you for a full front end rebuild - the full seal set for this costs a heap, and the genuine seals are usually better quality than aftermarket. Takes me about 3 hours a side to do, so I don't think you are being overcharged for what they are wanting to do. Your problem can also be fixed by just replacing the inner axle seal at the time the wheel bearings are serviced - this should add just a little labour.

I'd suggest that you ask the same question to the guys at Alltrac on South Rd Mile End. They will give you a straight answer and this sort of stuff is their bread and butter. You may want to consider having the rest of the 60k service done there too.

You may find the following links of interest:
diff oil contamination
Birfield repacking

Also, Norm N, who wrote the later article is a member of 70scool - you may or may not want to post it there for a straight answer from him.

Cheers
Phil

AnswerID: 110004

Follow Up By: WheelTravel - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 12:07

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 12:07

G'day Phil,

Thanks for your valuable information. Spoke to Alltrac who need 3 weeks notice (another good way to tell a good mechanic).

Can I ask you why I would do the whole rebuild if I could just do the inner axle seal for the same result?

Cheers

Oh and I think I have seen your rig around. We are down at Kingston Park. Are you down Southish?

FollowupID: 366584

Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 13:00

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 13:00

Hi Wheeltravel,

If it was my vehicle, I would not do the whole rebuild, given that it has only done 60k. I'd just replace the inner seal , repack the swivel hubs and the wheel bearings and fit new wheel bearing seals. But thats just my opinion, and if the problem wasn't fixed, I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

The workshops try to fix it properly first time which is why they want to do teh full bit. I wouldn't expect the wiper seals or the swivel bearings to be worn at all at 60k.

My vehicle had a similar problem before I bought it, and the previous owner had it done by CMI on West Terrace. They are one of the better Toyota service depts in Adelaide.

Haven't been southside for a while - I live near the Airport and work at North Adelaide. I reckon you may have seen a mate's vehicle who has an identical canopy - he lives at Somerton Park.

Cheers
phil