I just had my center diff and a rear wheel bearing replaced. I have 139K miles on the truck. As a woman who doesn't abuse my truck and service it regularly, I'm wondering if anyone can tell me why my center diff went bad. Toyota tech that replaced it said it's very rare to have problems with it. 2 yrs. ago I was in an accident and Tacoma was hit very hard on drivers side. Shift linkage had to be straightened, along with front and rear doors. Rear wheel was pushed really far back into mud flap. Supposedely no frame damage was done. Does anyone think the slightest damage was done concerning the center diff and the problem could have gotten worse. Is it possible ? I want your opinions. [color:"brown"] [/color]

Umm, I hate to break the bad news but theres no such thing as a center differential on a '01 Tacoma! Theres a transfer case but thats a whole different thing. You have a differential in the front and rear but not one in the center as with the RAV 4 and Highlander which are all wheel drive and not 4wd.Im sorry to say but you were ripped off as I've seen so many other females, especially elderly Toyota customers. I would contact Toyota corporate headquarters and file a complaint. IMHO most stealerships are out to rip off females with the rare exception of my local stealership. HonestDealership Good luck and speak out! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
If you'd like more , please feel free to PM me.

I'm going to assume she means the rear diff in the rear end, since she mentioned the axle bearing too. If so, I'll say this about the differential; anything can have a minut, undetectable manufacturing defect from the start that may or may not cause a failure down the road. I really doubt the differential was damaged in the wreck, but it's not impossible. Either way, if you had it repaired by a good mechanic you will probable never have to worry about it again. By the way, welcome to the board and don't hesitate to come here when ever you have tech questions about your truck; everyone here is very helpful.

Hi. Thanks guys for writing. All I know is Toyota service referred to it as a center diff. I know it wasn't the rear. I however had the wheel bearing replaced on the rear right. Could it be that they refer to it as center when we would think of it as front ? Write back guys. Thanks

Im not sure what their referring to. Theres a front and rear differential. Thats the proper terminology. Theres no such thing as a center differential in a Tacoma. I would go back and get an explanation and have them physically show you what they repaired. What does your bill say they did?

Something is starting to smell sour here... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

Definitely have a tech show you exactly what they replaced, have them explain why, and report back to us so we can see if you really are getting stiffed. How much was the "center differential" replacement?

I don't think there's any way they would call the front diff a "center" diff. Not on a Tacoma.

Give us all the information you can about what they did, how much it cost, and WHY. Then we can see for sure if you need to take up a formal complaint with that stealership or not! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I agree. Very fishy, since no '01 Tacomas have center diffs.

The Limited model of 4Runners from '99 through '02 had center diffs available with the multi-mode 4wd option, so at least it's possible behind that V6 engine and transmission. It's just a different (much longer) transfer case to hold the center diff. But it doesn't come stock on a Taco.

ok, I don't know exactly when this feeling first started but driving down even the smoothest of roads was feeling bumpy. I rotate and balance regularly. Over the past month or two, the duh, duh, duh feeling I was hearing and felt was getting worse. I figured I just had a bad tire although toyota told me I should get another 15K miles out of them. In the past two weeks, the duh,duh,duh added on a frequent roaring in the cabin. I got new tires thinking this was the problem. As soon as I left sears with my new michelins, the duh, duh, duh was still there. I took the truck right back and the sears tech drove it, saying he thought I had a wheel bearing bad. I, a few days later, went to toyota service, who said it was bad and also my center diff. was bad. Does this help any ? If not, I'll try to explain more.
PS I did bring the old diff. home with me. I don't know why, I just did. I don't have my receipt from toyota with me right now but believe the diff. price was like 1200.00 . All together for the diff., the wheel bearing , and new from brake and resurfacing was like 2,400.00. Their hourly service is 75.00

Mine is a 2001 tacoma 4x4 double cab if this helps any.

Ok I think I may somewhat know what you're talking about now. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> I think Toyota replaced your "center rear drive shaft bearing". This would explain the thud thud although it well may have been just a u-joint and Toyota was greedy. Did you feel a vibration through your seat? Can you post a pic of the old "differential" that you brought home? The inital accident may have caused damage to the bearing causing premature failure but theres no way that part cost $1200 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />. Im not sure on cost but would venture closer to $200. I cant say why the rear wheel bearing went out at the same time. The dealership can print out a new bill for you, its all on their computer. I would #1 - go get a copy of the bill, #2. - let us know what it exactly says, #3. - be prepared to post pic of said part, #4. - stay away from Sears for anything! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> You mention a new brake and resurfacing. Im assuming it was the rear also? Doing the math, $1200 labor is 16 hours of work. Theres no way that a rear wheel bearing, brake and driveshaft bearing would take 16 hours! More like 6. Sadly to say, the deeper we dig the worse its looking.Try to get the above mentioned info and we'll go from there. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />