Should have noted it started around 105K miles. The previous owner never used 4WD. I may have used it a total of 3 miles in short spurts.

 

I had my front diff replaced last year, even though there is a TSB I had a fight to get mine replaced. You are past your 5/100,000 powertrain, do you have an extended warranty?

 

No extended warranty, I bought it at 101K miles the PO didn't get one when new. I checked into an aftermarket warranty. $1800 for 12K miles and one year. I'm struck with this, found a wrecked 2012 with 8K miles and bought the diff for $560 shipped to my door. I'll install it this spring unless it really starts acting up sooner.

I've owned heavily modified Land Cruisers that I beat the crap out of that never gave me issues that this truck has. Really let down by Toyota on this one. I can accept wonky throttle issues, easy fix there. Diffs should last 400K miles without issue. At least it's an easy fix for the most part, hope this new diff is made correctly. I did note that they are made in Japan. Same as my starter that failed....hummm?

 

TSB 0121-08 Rev2 applies to trucks produced “before” the production change
effective VIN shown below.

5TF#M5F1#BX021992 – Engine 1UR-FE
5TFK#5F1#BX004608 - Engine 3URF-F##
5TF##5F1#BX185288 - Engine 3URF-F##
5TFC#5F1#BX011966 - Engine 3URF-F##

The front diff issue occurred at late at 2011/2012 model year.
The original TSB has been revised to include later production years.

 

I just had the diff and left axle replaced on my 2008. I didn't have to fight with them at all. I just walked in with a copy of the TSB, handed it to them, and said this is exactly what my truck is doing. A week later I had a new diff and left axle.

 

I think I'm having this issue on my 2011 at ~16k miles... can anyone tell me the updated TSB number?... or even post it if you have a copy?

Thanks!

 

TSB 0121-08 Rev2 applies to trucks produced “before” the production change
effective VIN shown below.

5TF#M5F1#BX021992 – Engine 1UR-FE
5TFK#5F1#BX004608 - Engine 3URF-F##
5TF##5F1#BX185288 - Engine 3URF-F##
5TFC#5F1#BX011966 - Engine 3URF-F##

My 2011 had this problem was just before the cut off to fix/update.

 

My VIN is 5tf##5f13bx179XXX, so I read it to be covered in your list above for Rev 2 of the TSB... correct?

Does anyone have a copy of TSB 0121-08 Rev2 that I can print out and take to the dealership?

 

Yes, you are reading it correctly. It appears that your Tundra was made shortly before mine. Do a search for "TSB 0121-08" and you shoud be able to find the .pdf file describing the TSB. The dealer did not have the parts on hand, so they provided me with a free loaner as my truck had to stay the night. Also, the symptons are more noticeable during cold mornings, low 20's (farenheit).

 

Thanks again. I did some searching earlier today, and did find TSB-0121-08 and saved it to print. I was just hoping to find Rev 2 that includes 2011 in the text, but it's not too big of a deal. I guess if the dealership tries to argue that 2011 trucks aren't included, I could always get them to pull up Rev 2 to prove it.

I agree, it has been much more noticeable over the past couple weeks with the colder weather (~30 deg and below). I'm not sure if it goes away as everything warms up, or if it's just because I'm going faster than the ~15-30 mph range that the TSB suggests when I get onto a main road. I'll switch it to 4x4 and see if that makes it go away too.

 

It does say in the manual to engage the front diff. once a month for a few miles,can't remember the exact distance but 3-5 miles would be good. That's in a straight line of course. I do this and have not had any problems so far: I checked and I did have this done on the '08 DC with a TSB. But my '11 seems to be fine but will double check this be fore I drop the lease in July. thanks

 

extended warranty just replaced mine at 91k miles...

 

2011 lifted.... Haven't had an issue yet..."knocks on wood". I do engage 4wd on a regular basis per the owners manual. I also have the 8 year 125K Platinum Toyota warranty.

 

Just got my truck back today from the dealer and a warranty repair. Didn't seem to be making a noise when anymore when I picked it up, but I'll check again in the morning when it's colder just to make sure.

 

How do you start noticing when the Differential is starting to go?

 

In colder weather (less than 35 F), I started hearing and feeling a slow whaa-whaa (one whaa every couple seconds) sound between 20-35 mph coming from the front axle under my feet.

 

I bought a Tundra LTD in 2008 and they replaced two front diffs before the 60K warranty had expired. I traded around 90K for a 2010 in hopes that the problem had been resolved. No such luck and the dealer replaced another diff at 50K. Both trucks had mild front leveling kits. I traded for the Ecoboost at 70k miles. Love it. I loved the Tundra too.

I have not been on this site for quite awhile and I am surprised to see folks still having diff issues with newer trucks. I cannot consider another Tundra until they revise something significant on their front drive system. Why would Toyota keep producing this truck knowing that there is a problem? This has been going on for more than 5 years now.

 

08 here, has the diff issue.

Past warranty.

 

11 DBL Cab RW here, I haven't heard anything and I just had new tires put on 35x12.5 with a 3/1.5 lift (already had this).

It feels like there is a rub of the tires at low speeds when driving. I can feel it in the steering wheel/and on gas pedal... I live in the NE, and have noticed this since I put the new tires on, does this sound/feel like the diff problem.

Thanks

 

Great poll... I wonder how many of these folks live in an area below freezing when this issue mostly occurs? I bet that may weed out some or just hide the problem from them. Mine only exists in the cold below 32 degrees.. If I lived in FL I would have never had known I had an issue?

 

I have the same question. I hear the noise when I leave my home up in the mountains with temps in the 20s, 30s and even 40s, but a dealer down in a warmer area could not hear the growl. They had it overnight to try it cold, but I guess 55 degrees is not cold enough.

I have been giving a lot of thought on how to get a dealer to hear it so I don't waste several more hours only to be told my truck is "fine". Is the problem still there on trucks in moderate climates, just not so apparent? If it can't be heard or felt from the driver's seat, can it be heard with a chassis ear as mentioned in the TSB? Maybe it will go several years before the diff actually fails but are we losing MPG in the meantime? I dunno, still frustrated.


Sent from AutoGuide.com App

 

Don't forget, the REV2 version of this TSB now covers 2007-2011 Tundras. Head on over to your friendly Toyota dealer to get this fixed if you even suspect it might be a problem - especially if you're still under drivetrain warranty.

REV2 posted here, REV1 is now obsolete:
http://www.tundratalk.net/forums/tu...er-service-maintenance/252802-front-differential-tsb-0121-08-rev2-pdf-file.html

 

My dealer says the TSB does not include a needed wheel bearing. I find that hard to believe?

 

In colder weather (less than 35 F), I started hearing and feeling a slow whaa-whaa (one whaa every couple seconds) sound between 20-35 mph coming from the front axle under my feet.

My '07 has been doing this for a while but seems to be getting louder. What happens when it fails completely? Will I still be able to drive the truck in 2WD? Just wondering if it's ok to keep driving as is or should I get it fixed now? Would rather wait til spring.

 

I wouldn't drive it. If it lets loose, the whole axle assembly may need replacement. That gets expensive.

 

I have a 2012 4x4 with the front diff howl/rumble/etc in 2wd between 15mph and 30mph. It was manufactured in March of 2012. I don't believe it is part of the TSB. Has anyone been able to have Toyota fix theirs that are newer than described in the TSB?

 

I have a 2012 4x4 with the front diff howl/rumble/etc in 2wd between 15mph and 30mph. It was manufactured in March of 2012. I don't believe it is part of the TSB. Has anyone been able to have Toyota fix theirs that are newer than described in the TSB?

You're the guinea pig. Don't give up though, it's only because people complain that gets Toyota to react. I'm pretty sure they'll extend the TSB to cover 2012 & 2013 once enough people speak up. (And 2014 - there's nothing to indicate that anything was actually fixed.)

If it's still under warranty you shouldn't have any problems getting it fixed even if the TSB doesn't officially include the 2012.

They really need to extend the warranty on this part like they did with AIP.

 

A buddy that only buys 4x4 or AWD vehicles was looking at a Tundra 2012 4x4. I told him about issues and if he buys it to get extended warranty.
The 4wd needs to be engaged on a regular basis, maybe that's part of it but it seems like quite a few are having issues.

 

Dropped of my 08 DC at Toyota dealership this morning for oil change, tire rotation etc and asked them to check front diff as I was hearing a hum from that general area. Just got the call telling me to keep the loaner highlander for the weekend because the front diff is indeed toasted. They said the "extended warranty people" will look at it Monday and make a determination. I have 55k and the truck is also a CPO so I hope they don't try and make this difficult. I currently have a 3" front spacer lift and a front diff drop.

 

Just got back from a visit to my local dealer to enquire about the TSB. Turns out the service rep is very knowledgeable on the subject. Their service department was selected as Toyota Canada's test bed for the issue and came up with the fix. They have repaired many diffs under warranty right up to 2012 models.

The Canadian TSB varies a bit from the US version. The US calls to rebuild the diff with a new carrier assembly and replace the left axle. The Canadian version calls to replace the complete diff and axle. According to the rep, neither is guaranteed to stop the problem from occurring again. The issue affects approximately 20% of Tundras so recurrence is rare.

The rep also said it is not a safety issue or hazard so it is still safe to drive. If it was safety related there would be a recall. More than anything it is just an annoying noise. There is some wear caused to the left front axle but it would have to be pretty severe to cause problems ie you would feel a bad vibration through the steering etc.

A rebuild in my neck of the woods is about $850 in parts plus 6hrs labour. ($1540+tx)
A new diff is $1400 plus another $400 for the axle and 3hrs labour.
(2100+tx)

The rep said the best thing to do is drive as is unless it gets really bad, then get a used diff from the wrecker (~$500) and a couple hours labour to swap it. There is a small risk that the used diff will have the same problem but the risk is there with the new or rebuilt one too.