Please help - Is it really my turn ($$$$lapped)?

[gnegroni]

Briefly...I was severely "$lapped" at dealership for simple problems:

Took my 05 with 55k miles over to the dealer for them to help out with some noises: popping felt on steering wheel (getting stronger) and grandma sounding wooden chair syndrome (driver's seat). First it was a simple creaking noise but now it feels as if the chair has developed a rocking motion... or movement.

Diagnosis:

1) Popping sounds was the steering shaft assembly (PN 45220-33270). Joint was going bad and complete shaft needs replacement.
PS They tell me RAV4s show problem around 10k-15k miles? WTF?

2) Chair noises cannot be fixed - FR LH Seat Assy (PN 71200-AA771-B4) replacement needed. Apparently neither squeak nor rocking can be fixed (but squeak had TSB?)

Estimate:
$60 for estimate (they will waive estimate costs if car is repaired there)
$300.53 for Steering shaft assembly (PN 45220-33270)
$3595.30 for FR LH Seat Assy (PN 71200-AA771-B4)
$120 labor for steering shaft assembly
$272.71 tax
--------------
$4068.54 (FOR SQUEAKING NOISE, ROCKING CHAIR AND STEERING POPPING NOISE!!!)

Here is my take... I took the car for the sunroof noise issues before it went over the 36k (they never actually fixed it, but lessened noise...sucks, but can't do much). Being in contact with the Service Manager and Chief Mechanic...they understood my problems.

First, the seat noise problem was handled the Chief Mechanic, which worked the drivers' seat and "handled" problem since noise didn't come back until later. If I'm not mistaken... if the problem was notified while warranty was in effect and worked problem upon, the warranty STILL needs honoring. For the same reason, the steering shaft problem is mine and mine alone since it appeared after warranty...

...worth mentioning, BOTH problems had TSBs, for which I notified the seat problem and TSB availability to them (written AND spoken consent).

Shafted: Why would master mechanic work seat noise, and now the other mechanic tells me there IS no fix and have to complete chair? Which one stinks the most?

I need help... could somebody provide me with both TSB files, the seat noise and the steering shaft popping noise (I think NV004-06 and ST001-06 respectively)? I need to compare the steering shaft PN with the one I'm being quoted... if there is a TSB with a new PN, I do not want to have the problematic one reinstalled.

Help?

[gnegroni]

Just checked a few things...
the quote is correct on PN 45220-33270, which replaces 45220-33260 from TSB ST001-06. However, they are quoting me 2 hours of labor for replacing the affected part. TSB ST001-06 calls the complete procedure to be performed in 0.9 hours... should I take this up to them?

In regards to the seat...NV004-06 calls for a 0.5+0.5 timeframe procedure to correct the front seat squeak noise. I was told that I had to replace the seat completely... should I take this up to them?

[PXLpainter]

I would take anything you can find to support your case!!

Good luck!

[gnegroni]

Thank you for your support! I would also like to specially thank Sebas who provided me with the TSB documentation. I feel like I'm about to have a looonnng talk with my second dealership Service Department...which depending on the outcome, will likely be displaced for a 3rd.

I take business very seriously, and as they told me when I first notified them of my prolonged sunroof problem... they have a responsibility of not only making things right, but a heavier one since the first dealer failed me. I'm also and most probably considering taking this up to Toyota Headquarters themselves, but not before paying a friendly visit to the Service Department.

[DevilzAdovocate]

Just checked a few things...
the quote is correct on PN 45220-33270, which replaces 45220-33260 from TSB ST001-06. However, they are quoting me 2 hours of labor for replacing the affected part. TSB ST001-06 calls the complete procedure to be performed in 0.9 hours... should I take this up to them?

In regards to the seat...NV004-06 calls for a 0.5+0.5 timeframe procedure to correct the front seat squeak noise. I was told that I had to replace the seat completely... should I take this up to them?

I believe technicians at dealerships flag hours and have a protocol for service times. They get paid off hours flagged. If they have a service call that takes 1.0 hours and finish in .5 hours they get paid the 1.0 even if they finish early or finish late. Its a guideline they use. Well, that what my buddy in Toyota's service dept told me at least.

[Solara08861]

Does the car has to be under warranty for the TSB to cover it?

[gnegroni]

I believe technicians at dealerships flag hours and have a protocol for service times. They get paid off hours flagged. If they have a service call that takes 1.0 hours and finish in .5 hours they get paid the 1.0 even if they finish early or finish late. Its a guideline they use. Well, that what my buddy in Toyota's service dept told me at least.

That seems logical... if the procedure takes 0.9... why not invest 1.1 of time and get paid 2.0 hours?

[gnegroni]

Does the car has to be under warranty for the TSB to cover it?

As stated in the TSB: Some components like emissions are warranted to 80k miles, so depends on the nature of the problem...still, that does not mean you cannot have the procedure performed, which is what I intend!

[gnegroni]

Has anybody in here have to replace the steering shaft out of warranty? If so, how much have they charged?

The TSB ST001-06 calls for time 0.9 unknown, but when I went to the dealer, they not only told me they were going to charge me for 2 labor hours, but that was AFTER THEY DEDUCTED the $60 for estimate.

In other words, they need 3 hours and ~$180 to replace a steering shaft? WTF?

[BadAngel]

uhm tell them they are full of crap... I don't think they are allowed to charge labor for a TSB... i just took mine in today to get the throttle lag problem fixed... i got charged $0.00 and its an 04 so its way out of warranty...

[Solarizona]

They are not allowed to charge for TSB's. At least that's what I was told when I had some work done on an old Acura. The car was about 6 years old with 120K miles and the service manager said no car dealer is allowed to charge for TSB's regardless of age or mileage.

[alan8888]

CAll the toyota USA

[BadAngel]

CAll the toyota USA

^^ best suggestion yet LOL! I am surprised it took until now for someone to suggest that...

[michaels artic frost]

Wow, sorry to hear of these issues, I feel your pain.

Good luck...

-M

[youngblood]

Has anybody in here have to replace the steering shaft out of warranty? If so, how much have they charged?

The TSB ST001-06 calls for time 0.9 unknown, but when I went to the dealer, they not only told me they were going to charge me for 2 labor hours, but that was AFTER THEY DEDUCTED the $60 for estimate.

I have a strange feeling in my steering wheel also. It's not an audible pop, per say, but it feels like something is slightly loose and clunks (very lightly) when I change direction at parking lot speeds. Does this sound similar to your problem? I've been nervous that it was just the start of a larger problem .

Please, please, please keep us updated on the progress of your repairs. I was pretty sure TSBs state that they are only covered for 36K miles (unless emissions related) but even if they covered the labor......
God, let it be so. I still have the sunroof noise on a 2004 w/62K miles.
Don't even get me started on the rear strut noise!