Feel like I was just screwed over.

[Taylortwilliams]

This morning I had a scheduled appointment to fix my timing belt at my local Toyota dealership. However, halfway through, I received a phone call giving me updates on how it was coming along. What I was told was typical and then told me that I needed a new CV joint. This I knew was true, as stated in my last forum post. However, I told them that my CV joint was being ordered and that I will be fixing it myself and told them not to touch it and let me handle it. However, upon picking my car up, the CV joint began to grind extremely hard, like it had zero grease left in it. I was shocked because just this morning, on the way to the dealership, my cv joint wasn't even clicking. Now driving off the Toyota lot, it's grinding?? I know cv joint grease wouldn't leak that fast, and I didn't go on any hard expeditions for my cv joint to tear within the 5 miles of my home to the dealership. I am suspecting foul play. Any suggestions on how to go about this? I talked to them about it, and they are taking it back in. I am really suspecting they are going to charge me but I feel they leaked the grease from the cv joint to cause this in the first place.

 

[z00t3ch]

It's possible the tech poked and prodded the joint a bit when he noticed the leak and diagnosed it as bad, exacerbating its condition. I doubt they'll do anything for you, as the joint was already bad and in process of being replaced, they'll say it was only a matter of time which is true quite frankly.

 

[KenH]

Ask to talk to the service manager, but you told them you already knowing the cv going bad.

 

[CarolinaGX]

look to see if the band clamps were tampered with, that might answer your question. I agree with the others however.

 

[kbahus]

Or when they lifted it the cv angle increased displacing what grease was in the bearing and now it makes noise. You knew it was bad before. Now that tech has to eat the time to look at your problem, that you knew was a problem before, and tell you it still needs a cv.

 

[Jstawgn]

JK

Mechanic does not have right to earn a living, theu all are just out to profits from us. They all should be banned and we need to make throw away cars. People should buy new cars as soon they need some repair.

 

[Taylortwilliams]

okay okay the cv joint is actually fine it's still leaking (SLOWLY) and they didn't damage it. They did admit fault though. I received a call saying they didn't bolt the skid plate on fully which caused it to grind on the wheels.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Classic! Oooops we forgot to tighten the bolts.

You should have asked them if the tightened the bolts to spec on the water pump!

 

[Taylortwilliams]

Very true. To be honest I was very upset about the whole ordeal in the first place because we have been loyal customers to this dealership and they did the same damage on my mothers sequoia.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

For those of us that don’t do too much wrenching ourselves, it’s good to have a good go-to independent mechanic for general repairs and maintenance. Honest and fair price.

I tend to go to the dealer when they have a good sale/discount, I need warranty/recall work, or have a very specific GX470 issue.

 

[CarolinaGX]

Is there a way to create a youtube library of "How To's" to help those that are apprehensive about doing some of their own wrenching? I ask this because I have really enjoyed this truck because most of the work I have done thus far, has gone smoothly and is straight forward. I understand and appreciate the engineering compromises Toyota made when building this truck and it simply works. I have never done a "how to" video before but I would be willing to begin adding to the knowledge base of this amazing group. Thoughts?

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Yeah YouTube let’s you create your own playlists of videos you like and you can even make the playlists public to share with others.

 

[GXO]

I have a few up on FB but I can do some on YouTube as I wander around my GX. I am always in a rush and get things done asap. Doing a proper video takes (usually) 1 more set of hands, and 2x the time to do it right.

 

[sleepycruiser]

When I had my 80, I tried to start a group on Mud that would do a monthly maintenance item. Basically, my idea was to pick a maintenance item and post the parts needed so everyone could order and then set a day and time for everyone to do it so if anyone had questions it would be like a live internet HAMOM and people could post videos or questions while doing it and everyone would essentially be on the same page. No one wanted to do it. I thought it would be cool bc there is some I can do, but a lot more I can’t. Like I have drained and flushed a radiator, but don’t know how to change my own oil.

 

[BlackUSK56]

FYI, I have been driving on a shredded CV boot for over a year now. No grease left in it at all. Still not clicking yet. To top it off it's not even a Toyota OE axle.

 

[Taylortwilliams]

You sir have what I call balls of steel. I also can’t tell if that’s a good thing or bad thing

 

[ArBrnSnpr]

When I had my 80, I tried to start a group on Mud that would do a monthly maintenance item. Basically, my idea was to pick a maintenance item and post the parts needed so everyone could order and then set a day and time for everyone to do it so if anyone had questions it would be like a live internet HAMOM and people could post videos or questions while doing it and everyone would essentially be on the same page. No one wanted to do it. I thought it would be cool bc there is some I can do, but a lot more I can’t. Like I have drained and flushed a radiator, but don’t know how to change my own oil.

I'm pretty handy with a wrench - I haven't paid a mechanic for work once in my life. When I was younger I didn't have money to pay for labor so I was forced to learn. Now that I have a career/money, I do the work because I enjoy it as a hobby. Your idea sounds great! I'm not certified but I'd be happy to assist anyone in the Pacific Northwest area.

 

[McDuff123]

I'm pretty handy with a wrench - I haven't paid a mechanic for work once in my life. When I was younger I didn't have money to pay for labor so I was forced to learn. Now that I have a career/money, I do the work because I enjoy it as a hobby. Your idea sounds great! I'm not certified but I'd be happy to assist anyone in the Pacific Northwest area.

I’m putting you on speed-dial
Thx for offering your skills...

 

[CarolinaGX]

I am planning to rebuild my CV axle. I will do this one to learn on and then do the other one on camera to get things started.

 

[CO_Hunter]

Is there a way to create a youtube library of "How To's" to help those that are apprehensive about doing some of their own wrenching? I ask this because I have really enjoyed this truck because most of the work I have done thus far, has gone smoothly and is straight forward. I understand and appreciate the engineering compromises Toyota made when building this truck and it simply works. I have never done a "how to" video before but I would be willing to begin adding to the knowledge base of this amazing group. Thoughts?

I like the general idea but in my opinion that is what the FAQ sticky at the top is for and it doesn’t need to be all videos. There is some good information in there but it has not been updated in over two years. The 80 section FAQ is awesome and could be used as a model.

I am planning to rebuild my CV axle. I will do this one to learn on and then do the other one on camera to get things started.

Just a heads up if you separate the outboard half shaft. The c-clip is not a serviceable part from Toyota and you will likely have to find an axle shop and get from them. I got mine from CVJ axles in Denver. They might drop in the mail if you go that route. You can use the pipe method or brass drift and big hammer. Some try to clean out the old grease and call it good without separating. You can also soak in several rounds of solvent. Solvent residual can hide although blowing out with compressed air would help. I prefer to open it up clean it out and make sure everything is all out. Pulling apart also allows better inspection. I also went with McMaster Carr clamps. Some is in my build thread. Sorry that was longer than I intended..

One last thought, make sure you have a full roll of paper towels!