CRACKED Flexplate In My Tacoma! Did dealership's prior work cause it?

[@tomas5376]

Make sure that the Toyota dealership who messed it up gets a copy of this video. In fact, I would send it to the main U.S. Toyota office too. Buena suerte!

[@BadassBrunette]

There's zero point wasting time with that. It's a dealership.. they don't care one bit. They'll deny fault.

[@onasledoverland]

I do agree with this. In fact I bet they make good, or attempt to. The evidence is strong IMHO

[@BadassBrunette]

@@onasledoverland Considering it's long out of warranty, I sincerely doubt they'll do anything except say, "We'll pass the information along." Dealerships are not exactly notorious for being of the helpful variety, unless you're willing to pay their stealership prices.

[@inqufox1750]

@@BadassBrunette As someone who works in a dealership and works with techs and things, for a job like this, its actually pretty easy to write off the books, again its all labor, the evidence says it was installed wrong its wrong they cant deny it. Most techs where i work are paid less then $30 an hour, paying the tech $200 and paying for a flex plate wouldnt be the end of the world. It would be "Shit we're sorry it happened heres the fix and a free tank of gas give us a good review plz." I mean we had to write off $3,000 in OIL CHANGES before a service writer even got in trouble let alone what it took for him to be fired... Not all dealerships are the same, but just like people there are a lot more bad ones then good ones. Main reason im commenting is because We've had this happen, except a LOT worse the flex plate broke pieces lodged into the side of the bell housing locking the torque coverter up and locked up everything else in the drive line on the high way to one of our customers cars. We were the last ones in there we said "Oh shit our bad, here's free repairs a tank of gas and a loaner while we fix what we fucked up glad you didnt die." And moved on. Again its really REALLY easy to write off $250 bucks in a dealership that makes probably close if not more then 2 million in repairs a month. I mean problems fixed now, no point but, dont write things off and jump head long into an assumption of all "dealership are bad" I mean once you knew what was wrong it couldn't have hurt to be like "Hey guys flex plate is cracked you were the last ones in there anything you can do?" Best they coulda done is fix it, least they coulda done is give you a good discount and worst is they say no and you do what you did but, it doesnt hurt to try.

[@ScootersAdventure]

I agree you should at least contact the dealership it's pretty much a bad installation that caused it! Great job of going to an actual mechanic that got it done I would guess Toyota would want to save face and at least pay for the fix I'm sure it cost you at least a thousand bucks that's a lot of work

[@TC-bg7up]

Hi Cristin! In my 39 years as a auto mechanic I have replaced many flexplates. I have seen so many botched jobs from dealerships! I roll my eyes when a customer says I brought it to the dealership. Your friend Todd AKA Cheryls brother.

[@Mumfy64]

Geoff is the Tacoma Whisperer. Glad you got this all figured out and now running the way it should

[@BadassBrunette]

He's a legend! Grateful he found the issue.

[@twotwentyswift]

Awesome to know about the Yota Guy. His shop is less than 5 miles from my home 😀

[@ebbs15]

Glad you caught it before it failed and left you stranded. Sucks when you take it to the supposed experts and get let down like that. Side note, we talked at NWOR. I meant to ask where you got your tail/brake lights. My trailer lights are crap and way too dim. Gotta have plenty of light so people can see our panels flying off on the highway due to VHB tape 😂. Thanks, Brandon

[@lorigaskill6632]

Great to see ya's fixed. Hoping you get back on track now & adventuring again. See ya's out there soon.... The Kodiakgal

[@WhiteWolfExpeditions]

I've been through this 3 times in my life. 2 Chevys and 1 ford. Glad you got it fixed

[@HoglundOverland]

Geoff is the man. I had random sounds, so awesome Geoff figured it out.

[@classicrocker81]

Wild that is was just an improper fix from the past causing such a headache. Geoff is a wizard no doubt! Glad its taken care of correctly this time

[@adriankung1625]

You are exactly right! It's not your fault and you couldn't possibly have known. But you did right to hold a high degree of concern and stay right on top of it. Plus, as warranty work, you were stuck going to the dealer. I've had similar results going to the dealer for my "rig" ( awd Sorento 3.5l V6). I got work done at the dealer. The vehicle ran fine afterwards but there were many signs that something was amiss. I asked about why my oil suddenly, within 160 km, went soot black and runny ( it was golden yellow like margarine when I went in there) -- they just shrugged and said it was supposed to get dirty over time. Electrical wires that were out of sight and secured (as from the factory) were strewn out across the top of the engine in various places. Needless to say I'll never go back! I noticed that while they charge $160/hr shop rate, they allow high schoolers to do much / most of the work -- surely not paying anywhere near a journeyman rate. The result -- you get work done by someone who is either not qualified or just doesn't care. This can, as you saw for yourself, really damage your prized "investment" Like you, I am fortunate to have a trustworthy, competent mechanic to bring my vehicle to. The shop rate there is less than the dealer and they diagnose the problem properly first, so they're not just throwing parts at it (which isn't always a bad thing, but ...). My mechanic isn't out to get me into a new car for the sales team either. Glad you won't get stranded due to faulty/ careless work. That dealer billed Toyota for a new transmission that may not have been needed because they couldn't diagnose the problem in the first place -- let that sink in -- it's a good clue as to wether you should trust them or not. Cheers! and Happy Travels...from North Vancouver

[@sskirv5071]

Wow! I actually just came across your channel and have been watching this build all day. I just wanted to say thank you for the heads up and for a very impressive Tacoma expert in the field. 😍

[@sk8snwmbl20]

I felt your pain when you described what had happened. And I can relate. I’m sure when you heard it start with no noice after the repair your spirits climbed so high. That’s the best feeling after all the let down. Thank you for posting this. It’s always a good educational experience for many others. But I am sorry you had to go through that.

[@bernardcarpenter6949]

Seriously, I am so sorry that that happened to you. However, I am glad that it got taken care of. I have 198,000 miles on my Tacoma. I try to take good care of it. You really have come along way. And you truly are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@BadassBrunette]

Sadly this is one of those one-off things I couldn't have prevented from happening. Just an unlucky thing. But better fixed now than have it fail somewhere remote.

[@softroadingthewest]

Wow, what a saga that little noise turned into. So glad you finally got to the bottom of it...literally a ticking time bomb that could have failed at the worst possible time. Nice work on the edit as usual.

[@BadassBrunette]

Thanks! And yeah, it's terrifying to think that would have likely fully broken in the middle of nowhere and I would have been truly dead in the water. And would have zero idea why! Quite a scary problem but grateful we found and fixed it before reaching that point.

[@onasledoverland]

Have I ever? Haaa....maybe $7k worth and still have a vibration that NO shop can figure out either. Been a mechanic for over 40 years. So, please don't feel that bad over this. It's part of being who we are and what we choose to drive. I gather the exhaust repair you had done were the manifolds, as the stuff this guy is pulling off ain't new. He's a good mechanic. Unfortunately that's a very rare thing these days. Including the shop that took your money for that exhaust repair when a simple stethoscope would have found this clicking right away. 🤦‍♂️ ❤❤

[@BadassBrunette]

The misdiagnosis was 100% my fault. It's incredibly apparent that noise was NOT exhaust related. But the internet research didn't help one bit and even Geoffrey mentioned that an untrained tech could easily miss this. Just one of those super rare failures for a Tacoma.

[@henryshaffer5811]

Wow that was brutal. Really glad you got her fixed and back on the trails. Looking forward to seeing you do a walk around of your dream

[@SigmaWolfOutdoors]

Success is a series of failers

[@BadassBrunette]

Truth 🙌🏻

[@bengb25]

Sorry to hear about the cracked flex plate. It does seem unique builds have the unique issues. I got a rattle noise on my rig and I thought it was my muffler but it was the heat shield on my cat. I feel your frustration and stress.

[@Terry4413]

You're lucky to have found a real mechanic. You probably should give both he and the dealership that screwed it up some free advertising!

[@Whistler326]

My sentiments ( I love that mechanic....he knows his ShxT ....lol As for falling off the the horse and getting back up ( LIFE always has setbacks....its how you handle them ( I am a work in progress on this topic...lol) Hopefully your able to get back on the road without any major isssues ( Toyota should be a sponsor if your asking me)....Cheers, and have a wonderful summer of adventures!! 1000 islands Canada

[@garyonnen7634]

Great job on the music and editing.

[@BadassBrunette]

Much appreciated 💙

[@bwet2901]

Yeah I think certain jobs need longer warranties.

[@clivedudley2007]

GREAT to have you back - I wondered where you had gone, now we know :( :( :( Stay strong and safe !

[@BadassBrunette]

Took a break to test the camper in the wilderness. 🤘🏻

[@ProCrawlerAdventures]

Wow! That’s a bummer. Well at least it’s fixed. And fixable…. Hey BTW. Love the truck! Thats KoolAid!! I really like those wheels and tires.. what size are you running?

[@chriseasley4777]

Gotta say I'm not really sure why the dealership would of removed the flexplate while replacing the transmission.. if I'm not mistaken the flexplate is mounted to the engine, it wouldn't be necessary to remove in order to replace the transmission or to replace a clutch.. at least not on any vehicle I've worked on.. almost sounds like a manufacturer defect from a lazy or improperly trained individual individual installing it incorrectly during the manufacturing process.. had an older vehicle where the flexplate separated from the ring gear on a manual vehicle and gave me all sorts of issues but never had a flexplate failure on an automatic

[@732Runner]

@toyotausa should definitely try and make it right, but I understand your frustration about it..

[@BadassBrunette]

It wasn't the manufacturers fault. The dealership that represents Toyota and did the prior work... now that is a different story. But they won't care.

[@tommays56]

I am surprised at how well they did on the warranty considering how overloaded the truck is

[@thomaskoog7475]

Did the ticking noises start after the engine warmed up

[@joofar2002]

What direction does the flexplate go in. Weld side in?

[@khoavu452]

Glad you got it all fixed. Hate to see anything bad happen to a beautiful tacoma. I have 19 trd off road. One day, i will have it built out.

[@chriseasley4777]

Just out of curiosity, what year is that taco?? You may have said it in the video and I missed it..

[@BAcHIGU_]

What was the issue/symptoms of the fuel sensor?

[@BadassBrunette]

Truck would go to downshift on the freeway and would shut itself down. Not electrically but would kill power/acceleration.

[@BAcHIGU_]

@@BadassBrunette oh sheeet! if it makes you feel better I just $200 on a MAF sensor...smh Good vid as always!

[@SigmaWolfOutdoors]

What size tire are u out able to fit under truck?

[@BadassBrunette]

33" and under fits in the stock location

[@harambeboy]

we need a new video

[@jackdawlove]

Breakdowns are never fun and we always learn from them. But, the shop who listened to that sound and agreed that it was your exhaust manifold and replaced it are either incompetent or total con men.

[@BrandonAbernathy]

In all seriousness, call Toyota corporate and send them the video. There is a very good chance they will work with you. It's a clear and obvious workmanship failure.

[@ru2yaz33]

Report to BBB

[@shawnking6270]

You should at least try to talk to them! Don’t go in guns blazing. Being a service manager myself if you came to me reasonably with evidence that something my shop did caused a very rare issue I would listen and help.

[@maxmillion4216]

And another $2,000.00 down the drain.

[@BadassBrunette]

They never said owning an offroad vehicle would be cheap.