Just had this work done, took 4 hours and service advisor said you are ready to go and handed me a bill, no charge. Didn't pay much attention until home when reading all the details and noticed a small note below work order.

It said, unable to align, pitman arm and idler arm bad, wheel bearings need packed.

What? They just packed the bearings 2 years ago from service then. What's going on here. Did they ruin the idler and pitman arm seperating?

Seems to drive fine, no wandering or wheel jerking on bumps. I'm wondering if this is a suggestion from Toyota recall, not covered in warranty when replacing steering link?

Any thoughts? Any similar experiences?

Called dealer and talked to same service advisor and he said he wasn't aware there was more work to be done, so I read it to him. For grins, I asked how much and he said he would get an estimate and call me. two days no call, called back and he claimed all their tickets were not in yet, he will call with estimate when they have all their tickets.


I'm guessing, maybe dangerously so, that there is nothing wrong with parts.

more info: Just got a call from Toyota customer service looking into case and are going to ask dealer why customer was not informed of need of additional service while vehicle was there and no return to request for more info about note after the fact. Doesn't really matter to me, I'll do it myself for roughly $115 in parts. I'll pack the bearings myself, did it once before after replacing rotors they ruined by turning them down wrong. I have to admit though they tried 5 times to straighten them, but would not replace. So I replaced.

 

You should pack your bearings every year. Doesn't surprise me at all. I see nothing wrong. And Toyota pitman arms go bad all the time - ALL the time. It's the nature of the design, IMHO, with the rod end in the pitman arm. Idler is easily rebuildable.

 

Anything is possible. I have to mention that both idler and pitman are original parts with 200K on them. Have I been that lucky?

 

Mine are original also, the dealer recommended replacement but cost $770. By the way, why a 4th thread on this subject. Lets stop making new threads about this.

 

First time I posted this thread. Did you replace yours?

 

jeb, there is a sticky on this, search for service campain 50n, many people are getting charged about 700 for repairs. ive decided before i take mine in, im replacing the idler arm, pitman arm, out tie rod ends, and repacking the bearings. then im going to the dealership with proof i just replaced everything. if they try to bs me, they will see a pissed of customer like they have nitemares about. in fact, i will save all receipts and take pictures of all the new parts installed so they cannot claim crap. on a side note, supposedly 7 or so have actually had this part break, does anybody know anyone that has had this part fail? seems odd after all this time that there are now problems, and with how many hard core off roaders there are on this site, you would think that the hardcore guys and girls would have had failures by now. im starting to wonder if this is a scam to get us in the stealership, then hit us with a bill for parts not covered under the campain.(maybe making up for all the free headgasket work?)- who knows, probably just being parraniod.

 

Dude you got off EASY!!! With some other work I needed on top of the 50N recall I paid $1700. For additional info READ ThESE THREADS

My story

Sticky thread

Make sure you have some time when you start into that second one it's currently at 229 replies.

 

This is NOT a scam, it is a safety recall that is REQUIRED by law (the NTSA). So far I've read that there have been between 8 and 10 such failures of these parts. Mostly on T100's, but there has been one 4Runner with big tires that has broken one. Take this recall seriously, if not for your own safety, then for the safety of other innocent motorists!

 

actually, this is a voluntary recall from toyota, in cooperation with ntsa, but not required. im sure its not a scam, but i think they are taking advantage of the situation and finding money in the job. just my opinion though, still some have had their rig held hostage untill they agree to replace the non covered parts, some have had the dealerships destroy parts that were recently put on(tie rods). so, not trying to badmouth toyota or its techs, but alot of us cannot affort to drop 700-1400 when we take a vehicle in for a voluntary safety recall. just my 2 cents- but replace all that crap before you go!

 

Correct, it is voluntary, bravo to Toyota. No it is not a scam and they, meaning dealers, are probably taking advantage, but I'm sure the opposite is true also. In my case, they sent my wife out the door with the bill with no charge. Dealer to home is 20 miles via interstate and bumpy. When I got home and looked at the sheet they gave her, I nearly had a heart attack. Small note below saying idler, pitman arm bad and bearings need packing, alignment not possible. I asked, did they say anything to you, she responded no. Only thing they said was you are done. Now how is that for customer appreciation? I called to ask what the deal was and asked to speak to the service advisor and he wasn't even aware there was any additional work to be done. He said he would call back when the sheets came in. At this point, I'm wondering what all the computers were for at their checkin? 3 days and still no word.

Morale of the story: Choose your dealer carefully and Toyota is going to hear from me about our local dealer.

 

It seems the only answer is to take it in, have the rod replaced, then take it to a reputable alignment shop because its evident Toyota is too lazy to perform all necessary functions so they find excuses to just put it on and send you on your way. I know if they hand me a bill I'm gonna tell them where to stick it.

 

HUH? First, the recall is for the rod only. If people haven't been doing porper maintenance on their steering, it's not Toyota's fault! It's the fault of the owner!

If there is wear in the pitman arm, idler, TRE's or bearings, it's impossible to get a good alignment, so once again, Toyota is doing the right thing: notifying the customer and giving an estimate. No one said that the customer HAD to have the rest of the work done at Toyota. And I wonder how many of you complaining about parts or alignment had them checked before Toyota did the recall to ENSURE that everything was okay?

It never ceases to amaze me how bent out of shape people get when someone does something good like this... Bottom line - take care of your steering and the recall will not be a problem.

 

Yessir, 200K miles on a pitman arm and idler arm is extremely long service. Good for you for being able to go that long w/o needing replacement. I have friends who replace them annually. Not cheap parts, but well worth the upgrad/replacement.

 

Just got home from driving to another Toyota dealer, 40 miles away apposed to 20. They put it on the alignment machine and said they could find nothing wrong. I mentioned another dealer said the idler and pitman was bad. They said, sure they may be old, but still align OK. They said if it makes you feel better, replace them and bring it back, we'll check it again.

 

Thats good service there...I don't care who ya are

 

That's the way to win customer service, might buy my next Toyo there. Been looking for awhile now. Made that 40 mile drive back nice.