I pretty much did exactly that, and it looks like TOYOTA is going to make it good since the DEALER wouldn't! (Don't have a check in hand yet, though)

The phone number you need to call is 800.331.4331. They will have you fax the invoice, proof of payment, and registration/title (proof of ownership) some stuff to 310.974.5696.

What you need to do is talk to the dealer first. Make note of who you talked to, the date/time, and what they said. Then call the number above and tell them that you participate on a Toyota owners Internet forum, and cite the couple of examples on this thread (Lithia Toyota in Redding, CA and Kearney Mesa Toyota in San Diego, CA) that were covered and yours was not. Give them the info about your discussion with the dealer. Feel free to throw in a couple "I bought a Toyota because I thought they took care of their customers better than that..." They will give you a case number that needs to be on the paperwork you fax to them.

I think Toyota has realized their f-up, about how this is being handled and is working on it. This is the first I've heard of the "Level 1-4" thing, but explains why Toyota may have been so accomodating.

Note that it took talking to 2 people at Toyota customer service to get to this stage. I had to call during the week, business hours, to get someone who understood what I'm talking about and was interested in customer service enough to make a decision about it.

 

I am not very sure about the Level 1-4 myself. He may have been just blowing smoke but hopefully I will find out tomorrow.
Glad things are starting to work out for you. Like you said, they know that things are not working out like they planned. TC do you still need another dealer name?

 

If the dealer replaces the other parts under the recall, be sure to post their name and location so if others have my problem, they have as much evidence as possible!

 

OK. Tomorrow will be the test.

 

i picked the truck up today... no problems. they said they could do the toe, but when the went to do the camber(i think) they said the bolt was too messed up to do one side, but they were able to do the other but the alignment feels closer to normal again.

 

ive got the same setup.i did not replace the relay rod.it did not come in the kit.anyone had problems with them saying anything about the lift?

 

Should I be worried if I haven't recieved my letter from toyota yet? Do I need the actual letter/recall notification in order to get the work done or can the dealership just run my vin and do it. I already called Toyota and I need it. Thanks

 

Just call the dealer with your VIN and make an appointment. Unfotunately, that's about the only easy part to the whole deal.

Make sure you read through all 7 pages of this thread before you set up an appointment. Be prepared to be told you need other parts. Shop around and see what different dealers will cover under the recall - some will include tie rods, etc, some won't.

 

Got the recall done today and no problems.
Looks like they reused my tie rod ends which is ok since I couldn't see anything wrong with them prior to taking in the rig.

However, I did learn something interested.
The stealer had a history of repairs on my truck.
The lower ball joints were replaced just 2 years ago by the previous owner.

I had replaced the lower ball joints and idler arm prior to taking the truck in.

Do ball joints really go that fast on these trucks?

An independent shop showed me the play in the joints so I knew they were bad (or starting to go bad).

The only thing I can think of is that the design of the suspension (95 T100, 4x4) puts alot of force on the joints, and the tire size although stock size, combines to degrade the parts fast.

The other good news was that my alignment was within spec.
Requested a printout of adjustments/measurements when I dropped off the rig.

 

I took mine into the dealership and it wasn't bad. They told me I should probably get the suspension arm bushings replaced but didn't push me about it. They also gave me a free full alignment on the truck (not just toe). They couldn't get the caster set right though and blamed it on the bushings/BJ spacers. I'm taking it back though so they can at least set the caster angles equal because they are uneven now and it's pulling to the left. Good experience so far.

 

They will only replace the tierod ends if they are rusted up... it's noted in the bulletin. If they do replace them, it's not just the tierods ends but both tierods(inner & outer) as a whole assembly.


It was as free as the replacement of the Relay rod... Toyota pays the techs to not only replace the Relay Rods but to do an alignment. It's part of the 50N Campaign.

If anyone else is wondering if their truck or 4Runner qualfies for this, feel free to PM me or call me. I work at a Toyota dealership and am more than willing to run your VIN number to check for any warranty that might be out there for your rig. I watch this board and others throughout the day while selling parts.

Brett
Toyota of Gladstone
503.722.4838 <- Direct number to me
M-F 8-5'ish (Pacific Time)

 

Toyofast, better get you chestwaders out cause your gonna be chin deep in requests soon. But kudo's for the offer. there needs to be more toy techs like you.

 

It's my job to help folks out especially when it comes to Toyota's. I say bring it. Plus I'm trying to work out a way to start stocking more aftermarket items for the general off-roader/wheeler. Sure we can order just about anything but since our store is going through an update I'd like to jump into having off-road related items in stock.

BTW, I'm not a Tech, sure I wrench on my own rigs but at work I sit in front of a computer being a parts whore for the wholesale and retail customers

 

UPDATE:

Still haven't heard anything from Toyota Customer Service.

SOB's either didn't do or did wrong the alignment. Had to have it fixed up here, will be attempting to backcharge the dealership. Yeah, I know - goos luck. The phone call is going to go something like "Would you like to be charged with fraud or shoddy workmanship? I bet that will have an impact on your President's Award..."

 

Hey tc guess what ? My return phone call from Toyota is the same as yours. The reason that I called to complain was that the STEALERSHIP replaced the tie rods on the second visit and the service advisor said that they did not do an alignment, he said that all they did was set the toe. Well being a little upset at this point I called back and spoke to the service manager and he told me that the alignment had been done and the he watched the tech put my Runner on the rack. The I told him what the service advisor told me about my alignment and he backed up and then said that maybe setting the toe may have been all that it needed. But he still could not give me a print out from the alignment machine. So Toyota gave me a case number just as you and told me that someone will call me back in 1 to 3 business days. Well that was on 12/1/05 that Toyota told me that. And of course as no suprise to me no one ever called me back. So on 12/7/05 I called Toyota back and got a person that barely spoke english and the comprehension of the english language was even less. I hate to sound prejudice (and am not by the way) but put some one on the phone that can help not make things worse. After on the phone with this person for over 45 minutes the end result was that they (Toyota) were not going to do anything at all. And further more if anything at all would be done it would be done by the STEALERSHIP if they so decide to. I also was told that if the STEALERSHIP did not contact me and offer to do something for me then that was it ! End of the the line as far as Toyota was concerned. Aint that some ˟˟˟˟˟ ! So here it is the 18th and my front end still has not been aligned.

 

They did call me back saying they had got the stuff I faxed them. I would try calling back again with your case number and try to escalate it. Really, your best bet is through the dealership. Maybe try a different dealership (I see you're in CLT - don't do Scott Clark on Independence Blvd!) tell them that the other place didn't do it right, maybe they could take care of it and bill Toyota as "warranty" work.

 

I plan on calling back this morning to try and take it a step up ! Right now I am in Ct. And yes you are very right about Scott Clark, they are really bad !The STEALERSHIP that I went to here is Lorensen Toyota and they are not much better. The person at Toyota told me that I could not take to another STEALERSHIP and get the alignment taken care of under warranty. I would need to return to the same place. That was not what I wanted hear, but knew that was the way that it would be. As far as the service manager here, he say's that it was done and that is that .

 

Well, I dropped my 4-runner off today to have both this and the vo6 head gasket recall. You all have me afraid of what they might want me to replace. Luckily we have no money at all for car repairs right now so, it will be pretty easy to say no.

*fingers crossed

 

Sorry if my experience scared you, but IMHO, better to be prepared! Read through this entire thread, and you'll be prepared for most of what can happen.

BE SURE TO ASK FOR AND GET THE ALIGNMENT REPORT!!!

Also, please post how it went - good or bad - because there seems to be a wide discrepancy in what work different dealers are including in the recall. It may be helpful to others in your area.

 

Wow, they are still doing V6 head gasket recalls?