2014 XLE w 120k miles. I don't know the history before 80k as we bought it used in August 2022.
I have been disappointed overall, as we bought a Toyota for my spouse, thinking we'd not have to worry much. We've had a host of issues (besides 'normal' wear and tear) that are all mentioned here elsewhere on this forum (torque converter, brakes, leaks, etc), so I won't go into everything except the following.
We have a vibration between 40-55mph that has worsened. Diagnosed by a garage I (mostly) trust as needing new prop shaft (u-joint out of spec) and new rear diff NOT just the coupler bearing (also referred to as viscous coupler I guess), which is what usually seems to go on these. The Toyota part number is 90363-95007 and costs about $90...rather that purchasing the entire coupler housing and/or a remanufactured rear end for $700).
The work order is for $5,000, mostly labor. I CAN do the work, as in, I am capable of it. I don't want to, unless it will save the $3,000 USD in labor costs. The tech specifically said it was the diff that was gone, not just the coupler bearing.
Is there any way to verify this for the shade-tree mechanic?
I rarely see the actual differential, as in the gears inside the housing, fail. Most of my research indicates it's the coupler bearing. The u-joint/prop shaft is understandable and not a huge job or too expensive.
I have been disappointed overall, as we bought a Toyota for my spouse, thinking we'd not have to worry much. We've had a host of issues (besides 'normal' wear and tear) that are all mentioned here elsewhere on this forum (torque converter, brakes, leaks, etc), so I won't go into everything except the following.
We have a vibration between 40-55mph that has worsened. Diagnosed by a garage I (mostly) trust as needing new prop shaft (u-joint out of spec) and new rear diff NOT just the coupler bearing (also referred to as viscous coupler I guess), which is what usually seems to go on these. The Toyota part number is 90363-95007 and costs about $90...rather that purchasing the entire coupler housing and/or a remanufactured rear end for $700).
The work order is for $5,000, mostly labor. I CAN do the work, as in, I am capable of it. I don't want to, unless it will save the $3,000 USD in labor costs. The tech specifically said it was the diff that was gone, not just the coupler bearing.
Is there any way to verify this for the shade-tree mechanic?
I rarely see the actual differential, as in the gears inside the housing, fail. Most of my research indicates it's the coupler bearing. The u-joint/prop shaft is understandable and not a huge job or too expensive.
