Can I Trust Toyota?

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

ThreadID: 22713 Views:2838 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

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 11:16

60K...how old is this thing
Is it possible they can see if Toyota head office can assist ..50/50?...geez 60k aint too many klicks

Dont use the mob who uses a lizard as part of their logo....cost me a radiator

Have used 1 other also.... and didnt go back....

i now use Toyota at hillcrest. Pay a bit more ...but i'm very happy with them....

AnswerID: 109996

Follow Up By: WheelTravel - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 11:24

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 11:24

Funny that about the radiator. Was it coolant contamination? They didn't flush out the radiator enough or something?

Same thing happened to us but I kept the radiator and sent it to the mechanic, who in turn sent it to Valvoline who are currently checking whos fault it is. It's an 01 model so the radiator obviously shouldn't have gone. with only 50clicks at the time.

Either way, either Valvoline or the mechanic will pay, i'm just playing the waiting game.

I guess it does pay to use Toyota and pay more. I just don't trust ANY mechanic full stop, except for my one back home who is a family friend( hence helping me with the radiator problem)

FollowupID: 366578

Follow Up By: Nudenut - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 16:59

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 16:59

how'd you guess it coolant contamination

FollowupID: 366631

Follow Up By: WheelTravel - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 17:09

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 17:09

Only possible way a mechanic can stuff ya radiator (aside from drilling a hole in it) is by mixing coolants.

I recently learned that "You CAN NEVER" properly flush a radiator. Cost me a grand for a new one, but again...talked to the mechanic, who unlike most, takes responsibility for his work and is sorting it out for me.

FollowupID: 366632

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

FollowupID: 366599

Reply By: Footloose - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 12:30

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 12:30

My 80 series hadn't had the front touched for a while. Cost me $550 at a specialist diff place for front and back. They didnt replace the bearings but did the seals etc. Around 6 hours sounds right.
Anyway the vehicle is much more precise in its steering now. (200K on it). My advice is to get it done through somewhere the guys here have suggested.

AnswerID: 110011

Reply By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 12:31

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 12:31

OK, I have (on purpose) not read anything about this post other than the subject title.

NO.

Now I'm going to go and read the post! :-)

AnswerID: 110012

Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 12:39

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 12:39

Ok I've read the post and all the replies and I stand by my origional answer! LOL
Bloody hell all pretty expensive stuff to be done to a relativly new and low k vehicle! I thought the 70 series were the ducks nuts?
I'd be asking Toyota why they aren't supplying at least the parts for free. Give them a go, give thembleep, if they don't want to help you out, take it to the other mechanic suggested here, at least (hopefully) he'll be honest.

I have had nothing but disgust for work done to my own and work vehicles by Toyota and although I do belive their genuine parts are good, I also think in some cases they are overpriced. Their workman ship (at least the 3 dealerships I've had experience with around Perth) is nothing but poor. And they actually have people working full time in there service department with the sole job of trying to rip you off with extras such as "air conditioner deoderising" and wheel blances that aren't required and that are overpriced.

FollowupID: 366589

Reply By: joc45 - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 12:34

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 12:34

I sympathise! They will push the max for the repair when one small part will fix it. My problems with Nissan service have been the counter jockeys plugging services that aren't needed (eg flushing power steering at low kms, recommending brake pad replacement 20,000k before it's due), but the workshop guys missing the important bits (eg missing an air cleaner that was badly clogged, not re-clamping turbo air inlet duct). With my old Mav years ago, they didn't even replace the oil filters, but charged me (that was Ford, tho). And paying top dollar for the previlege.
Gerry

AnswerID: 110014

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 13:04

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 13:04

$200 repack bearings? With what? Gold dust!

AnswerID: 110017

Reply By: Marty - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 13:53

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 13:53

G'Day All

Toyota Prices are rediculous!!!

Last week I needed to replace the Harmonic Balancer on my 2F 60series.

Price for the Harmonic Balancer from TOYOTA----$785.00

Price from REPCO---- $260.00

Toyota don't obviously don't won't to sell spares.

Regards

Marty.

AnswerID: 110030