3rd Gen Axle Recall -Torque

I finally took my 2023 TRD Sport to the dealer to address the recall some of us received associated with the possibility of weld splatters on the rear axle impacting the torque specs on certain nuts that hold the rear wheel housing to the axle. Essentially, the nuts keep the rear wheels attached to the vehicle

I watched the Tech remove all 8 nuts, inspect, and re-attach. The tech did NOT USE A TORQUE WRENCH.

I asked the tech why a torque wrench was not applied. He said the nuts in question do not need to be overly-tight and a torque wrench was not needed.

I understood the recall increased the torque on those nuts from 33 pound feet to 41 pound feet.

SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?

Wasn’t the entire logic of recall to make sure the nuts were torqued to factory requirements?

 

Most shops will not let anybody stand and watch their techs work on customer’s vehicles, because of liabilty crap. Tech giving you BS because you only standing, and watching. Other option, buy 3/8 drive torque wrench from Home Depot, or Napa, torque axle nuts yourself. Next time go another Toyota dealer, for anymore recalls, or warranty.

 

I am just going to go ahead and say it.
There isn't a technician out there that's breaking out a torque wrench for every bolt.
And the ones saying they do, as saying it to cover their ass.
And to keep the haters from hatin'


If you turn wrenches daily, you can "feel" what tight it.

Sometimes it's better to "know" it's tight.
Than to "think" it's tight based off a "click" or a "beep".

Sure, certain things should always be torqued.
But not everything.

 

Typically the oversight isn’t appreciated.
Yeah, he probably should’ve used a torque wrench.

 

No. Torque spec didn’t change.

No. They hold the axle in, they don’t need to be tightened to an exact torque to accomplish that. Snug will do. The nuts have a large flat surface area sort of like a washer head bolt that makes a lot of friction contact with the axle housing. If they’re snug, they won’t be coming off.

The logic of the recall was to make sure weld splatter on the axle housing surface where the nut goes wasn’t present to keep the nut from tightening properly. Undo the nuts, check for splatter, if none is there then retighten nuts and call it done.


In a perfect world, the tech would use a torque wrench. However, unless the tech is a complete moron, he doesn’t need to use a torque wrench to adequately perform the job.

 

The recall was for possible mfg debris, which if present would prevent the nuts from clamping the wheel bearing studs properly. Torque spec wasn't the issue.

When I installed the Archive Garage wheel speed sensor guards (which is held in place with 2 of the 4 nuts), I didn't use a torque wrench. The torque spec is low, and would need to be reduced further because I used cosmoline. You'd be more likely to overtighten and snap a stud with a torque wrench here. If you want to see how it's held up, check the June page of the 2023 Tacoma World calendar.

 

I just did the recall yesterday myself and yes the torque changed from 33 ft. lbs to 41 ft. lbs. and if the technician did not torque them he didn’t follow the recall instructions.

 

I just read the recall and it doesn’t say anything about the torque changing?

 

Compare the torque spec in service manual to recall instructions changed from 33 ft. lbs. to 41 ft. lbs.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCRIT-24V152-2133.pdf

 

If it makes any of you 3rd Gen guys feel better.
Us 2nd Gen are running around with a spec of 29 ft/lbs.
And it's the same nut / stud.

Tight should be good enough.

 

Yes, that makes us feel a lot better lol.

 

@STEELeR43

As a Consumer that paid Toyota’s price for the last of the 3G… to avoid the POS Turbo in the 4G… I watch and have every right to do so. I didn’t ask for the “Voluntary” Service. Like all, I was more or less mandated to do. It is a Toyota CYA RECALL.

The other responses associated with knowing what is tight helps ease my mind. I realize it is not possible to get a torque wrench everywhere, but these nuts are very accessible, especially with vehicle lifted in air.

I assume the TSB Recall cites 41 ft pounds for a reason. More than likely the nuts are on tighter than 41 ft pounds, and I am OK. It simply PISSES ME OFF that Toyota takes market leading dollars for this vehicle… contradicts “Toyota Quality” with need to recall, and fails to follow their published protocol to repair.

 

For anyone interested in doing the recall yourself you will need to purchase one of these to gain access to the nut that’s behind the lower shock mount on each side otherwise you will need to pull the lower shock bolts out.

https://a.co/d/bT6C5ce

 

what's with the over the top reaction and unnecessary bolding

 

that's total b.s. and old wives tale
ya they don't want you in the shop
it's to keep their people working
liability is not it

 

@Tacoma_Pop
Why write in all bold letters?
I bought brand new 2023 TRD OffRoad 6MT, last year, and I luv my 4x4. I got the axle nut recall taken care of at my Toyota dealer, no problems.
Like I said my previous post, find another Toyota dealer, for any issues that comes up.

I don't want to start arguement, I get what you wrote. But what happens if customer watching tech at shop, forgets him/herself, trips and falls over, gets hurt. Who is responsible?

 

The cut and paste made bold font… No meaning behind it…

… and this particular dealer is better than most… Maybe none of the performed recalls utilized a torque wrench… Who knows…

… and yah you can’t come into shop, but you can watch at bay door

 

Looks Angry

 

Maybe annoyed at Toyota… Not at Taco Fellas…