Getting brake TSB BR-004-02 done after the 3/36 wty expired

[Mudog715]

Has anyone had luck getting Toyota to cover the installation of the upgraded front caliper/pad assemblies specified by TSB BR-004-02 after their 3/36 warranty has expired? If so, what was the key to your success?

Although I haven't had as many problems as some people, I have gone through 3 sets of front pads and 2 sets of rear shoes in the first 36k miles on my 2001. The front wheel brake shimmy seems to reoccur every 10k-15k miles. The last replacement was right at 36k (before this latest brake TSB came out) and at that time they applied the previous brake TSB, replacing pads, rotors, shoes, & drums. Now at 42k I'm noticing the gradual return of the front shimmy.

The irony is that other than the brake wear/vibration issues I've had NO problems with my truck. I would really like them to get this new TSB as a suspect it will solve the problem once and for all.

Thanks!

[Sweetwater]

I haven't had the newest fix but many have outside of warranty. Your brake problems are significant. I would assume you had the previous work done by the same dealer. I would expect them to want to clear this up once and for all in the interest of keeping you a satisfied customer. If any persuasion is needed I think arming yourself with the TSB will be all. I often find a friendly, calm and professional but very clear description of your expections is all that's needed. While service managers are careful in what they warranty when a vehicle is out of warranty I've had excellent results with Toyota's in these situations. If a service writer or manager can't or won't help walk into the dealership and find someone who will. You are also in a large metro area. Surely one dealer will do the right thing.

[v8Toilet]

Originally posted by Mudog715
Has anyone had luck getting Toyota to cover the installation of the upgraded front caliper/pad assemblies specified by TSB BR-004-02 after their 3/36 warranty has expired? If so, what was the key to your success?

Although I haven't had as many problems as some people, I have gone through 3 sets of front pads and 2 sets of rear shoes in the first 36k miles on my 2001. The front wheel brake shimmy seems to reoccur every 10k-15k miles. The last replacement was right at 36k (before this latest brake TSB came out) and at that time they applied the previous brake TSB, replacing pads, rotors, shoes, & drums. Now at 42k I'm noticing the gradual return of the front shimmy.

The irony is that other than the brake wear/vibration issues I've had NO problems with my truck. I would really like them to get this new TSB as a suspect it will solve the problem once and for all.

Thanks!

That's weird! I'm at 42k and I'm still on the original set of pads and I only had to touch up the front rotors once. I also got the rear TSB done too!

[arkie6]

Originally posted by Mudog715
...The last replacement was right at 36k (before this latest brake TSB came out) and at that time they applied the previous brake TSB, replacing pads, rotors, shoes, & drums. Now at 42k I'm noticing the gradual return of the front shimmy.

That last brake replacment you got should be warranteed for 12 months or 12,000 miles. So, your front brakes should still be under warranty. Ask your dealer about the warranty on dealer installed replacement parts and mention your situation. I'll bet you will be covered.

[cozdiver]

I'm in the same situation, outside the warrantee period, but I did purchase the extended warrantee, "Toyota Extra Care" they call it. The truck is going in tomorrow because of brake vibrations. I mentioned the extended warrantee to the service manager but nothing about TSBs and he said it was a "wear" item and not covered. Does anyone know if a TSB related item would be covered under this type warrantee? When I bought it, I wasn't given any booklet or anything. It's just a line on my invoice/contract.

Would it do any good to mention the TSB? What exactly does a TSB tell the dealer to do? Is it a directive or a guide or what and do they as a general rule say who is to pay?

[nhparrot]

Originally Posted by cozdiver

I'm in the same situation, outside the warrantee period, but I did purchase the extended warrantee, "Toyota Extra Care" they call it. The truck is going in tomorrow because of brake vibrations. I mentioned the extended warrantee to the service manager but nothing about TSBs and he said it was a "wear" item and not covered. Does anyone know if a TSB related item would be covered under this type warrantee? When I bought it, I wasn't given any booklet or anything. It's just a line on my invoice/contract.

Would it do any good to mention the TSB? What exactly does a TSB tell the dealer to do? Is it a directive or a guide or what and do they as a general rule say who is to pay?

A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) is a communication between Toyota and its dealerships that can serve as an update to Toyota publications, describe parts updates, or relay enhanced or new service procedures. Service procedures may explain diagnostic steps, implementation of recommended updates, or how to perform certain repairs. A TSB is not a recall or a Special Service Campaign. If the cost of a TSB service or repair is eligible for warranty coverage, it will be specified in the TSB, and requires that the vehicle is within the original warranty parameters. A TSB does not extend the warranty.

You need to read the terms of your "extended warranty" to see if this is a covered item. There is no such thing as an extended warranty...it is really a prepaid service plan just like a mechanical failure insurance policy. It does not extend the factory warranty, it covers only what it says it covers, and it puts requirements on the buyer (you) that you must keep up or they won't pay.

[PXLpainter]

I've made mention of this in both the Tundra Forum and the Brakes/Suspension Forums, but I had to call Toyota Customer Satisfaction (National) before I got any action! I tried twice at a local dealership to get them done before warranty was up - and got two lame-*** excuses from them ("we didn't feel any vibrations" and "you have after-market brake pads and that voids your warranty")!!

Anyway - just had mine done last week after 46K mi - took a lot of hollerin' but they finally took care of it!

Jeff

[biggary]

Muddog - Good to see you on the site again, although it doesn't sound like your problem is an easy one. For what it's worth, I take my truck to Superstition Springs Toyota and deal with Garrett in the service department. He didn't even hesitate to do the TSB (without me having to prove there were vibrations, etc.) on both the front and rear brakes. Mine was still under the warranty limit but another member - dwa from Payson - took his in a few days ago and had a similar experience in getting his fixed. Garrett is really good to work with and they have always done quality work on my truck, so I would at least give them a try and see if they are receptive to the idea, if you don't have any luck at your usual dealer. Good luck and let me know if that works out for you.

[dwa]

Muddog, as biggary said, I took mine in to Superstition Springs Toyota and was very pleased with the service. Garret was very good to work with. Mine too was under warranty so I can't say whether you will have success being out of warranty, but I would definitely give Superstition Springs and Garret a try. Good luck

[mschoonmaker]

Got the same issue.

In Dec 02 I took my '01 Tundra in for brake vibration service. They told me that the front rotors were warped and replaced them under warranty (35,000 at that time).

One year later, Dec 03, needed new tires (and also had vibration again) and the tire shop turned my rotors and installed new pads.

Here's DEC 04, and the vibration's back (66K miles now). I have the TSB BR004-02 that shows in Sept 02 that they knew of this, and should have replaced my calipers but didn't.

The service mgr is telling me that the VIN may not be covered. The TSB states that all VINs prior to 5TB**##1#3S340241 are affected. Mine starts with 5TB**##3, this guy is telling me that this is a "check digit". I think it's BS, as IF it were a "check digit" then it would be different for every vehicle, NOT HARD CODED!

At this time he's getting the Toyota regional rep involved to ask if they'll cover it.

Anybody have any ideas as to if I should expect a problem here, as well as where to go if they say no?

Thanks in advance,
Mike

[PXLpainter]

All I can say is, just be very thorough & persistent! Explain your whole story to Toyota when you contact them (I've posted the 800# in this thread earlier) and site the exact dealer that you originally talked to. They will have to be the one that ends up fixing your truck (with a smile, if Toyota tells them to!).

Best of luck!

Jeff

[mschoonmaker]

Thanks for the quick response.

I have searched this thread carefully, but have been unable to locate that 800 number. Could you please re-post, or direct me to the post that includes this number?

TIA,
Mike

[Sweetwater]

mschoonmaker,

This is real easy. All you need to be concerned about are the last 6 digits of your VIN. That tells you what number Tundra you have, literally. If your Tundra is 340240 or below then it has the older brake set. There are some early model 2003's with the old style brake set-up.

Joe

[cknelson]

I'm having the same problem but I'm way out of waranty and I hear this is very expensive. I haven't been able to find any details on the TSB as to what parts of the braking system are affected. Any recomendation as to what I should do? Should I get after market calipers and rotors... will this fix the problem?

[deadeye01]

my truck is well out of warrenty.... should I go with aftermarket rotors and pads or have a dealership do the brake TSB? If I go the TSB route how much is it going to cost me?