just got this in the mail.90-95 4 runners.they replace the whole steering shaft for free.say it takes 4 hrs.anyone do this yet?

 

Uh - yeah. Look for the huge thread about special service campaign 50N

 

thanks

 

steering shaft or relay rod?.....

 

relay rod.i got it confused.when i got the letter i thought it was the steering shaft.

 

yeah have no idea what the relay rod was my friend that works at toyota said that 95 percent of the bad steering relay rods were on the t-100's but i had myne done and I got a free front wheel alignment out of it if nothin else take it in for that im assuming all dealerships give alignments after doing the work

 

4 hours? Who told you that? I work at a Toyota Dealership and it takes at the most 45 minutes which includes alignment.

The dealership will also replace the tie-rod assemblies ONLY if they cause problems when doing the alignment. The alignment IS part of the warranty work, the techs already get paid to do it. Be sure to have them align your truck after they replace the relay rod.

 

Weird - must have some slackers down in the states b/c Canadian tech's only get 2 hours for the relay rod recall.

 

They probably just say 4 hours to give you a reason to drop it off and not wait there. Any tech in a fully supplied shop should be able to do this in under an hour.

 

It said it was a safety issue with the steering from the like federal vehcile saftey institue. Saying that Excessive steering during rough conditions would involve the relay rod to fracture and possibley break and result in loss of total control or vehicle and the crash?!?! I'm sure its not all runners they just prolly got a few reports of it and got scared. I mean these veicles are 13-18 years old and they are just now finding this? common... i mean really. i think its nothing but hey free brand new relay rod! Hell yea i'll take it! but yea its a precaution. Because they know our runners will be on the road forever so they let us know stuff like this. Commliments to Toyota!!!!!
__________________________________________________ __
95 Toyota 4-runner SR5 V6 3.0 Automatic 149,600 Miles (bone stock)

 

funny thing is this recall comes after 3 customers had t1oo relay rods break back between 02-04. I had a toyota franchise investigator come out and check two of them out because they wrecked big time and was suing claiming if was already a known defect or part manufacturing problem. My question was, did they make a new mold for the t100 rods or did they use lenthened hilux molds creating a crease in the rod? I never got an answer, one customer got money to get body damage fixed the other got the shaft. Now in the last 2 years out comes a recall on all those rods nice huh.

 

Yea pretty fishy stuff but it happens.
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95 Toyota 4-runner SR5 V6 3.0 Automatic 149,600 Miles (bone stock)

 

Ya... Well my local Toyota dealer wouldn't do it, because I told them not to touch the tie rods and not to wory about the alignment. Then they said I've never seen one break. So I told them that whem/if it does I'll be back. Then head office called and asked why I haven't had it done - so I told them and never heard another word...

 

I had mine done but they did a horrible alignment. They set the toe but didn't adjust the camber so my truck looked like it was trying to hold its crotch since the tires were pointing in at the bottom. Be sure you get a good alignment.

 

this is funny timing because i just got mine done today. i think the reason for the 4 hour time thing is because a tech flags 4 hours no matter how long it takes and get paid for the whole four hours even if it takes 45 mins. but they did a great job on my alignment. check out my thread titled Champion Toyota of Houston

 

I had mine done back last spring. Took them all morning and they didnt even align it. Did I ever mention how much I hate my local dealership? The only guy that knows anything is the parts manager.

 

Assuming you survive the impending HORRIBLE accident ...


Has ANYONE read the sticky at the top of the section? It is explained there in SUPERB DETAIL how to avoid these problems and how to be compensated if they do.

 

did this effect the HiLux models at all?

 

found my own answer and that it might be useful to others.
Date: 07/09/2005

Supplier Name: Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Limited

Recall Coverage: National

Product Make: Toyota

Product Model: Hilux and 4Runner

Target Number: 25012

Model Years From: April 25, 1988 to June 28, 1996 and December 13, 1988 to November 8, 1995

Consequences:

Campaign Number: 5525H

VIN Range: Hilux: Model LN107: 09000001 - 09003193, Model LN111: 09000002 - 09007185, Model RN106: 06000001 - 06000743, Model RN110: 08000002 - 08001416. 4Runner: Model LN130: 08000002 - 06000743, Model RN130: 07000001 - 07000001 - 07002737, Model YN130: 08000001 - 08000465, Model VZN130: 07000001 - 07009860.

Serial Range:

Product Info: Only Hilux 4WD with Independant Front Suspension (IFS).

Defect Details: A fatigue crack may develop on the Steering Relay Rod. The crack may occur if the steering wheel is repeatedly turned under certain conditions where high steering effort is required.

Consumer action: All owners will be contacted by letter.

Market Coverage: National

Recall Coverage: National

 

I used the recall as an excuse to have all the tie-rod ends replaced. I bought all new parts at Advance Auto and had the Toyota mech put the new parts on in place of the old. Brand new steering at no labor cost to me!