Toyota 5000 mile driveshaft service. Is it BS?

[Grossomotto]

I see in my Toyota Tacoma Manual that is states to service the driveshaft every 5000 miles at the dealership. They retorque the driveshaft bolts. I think it's a bunch of BS.

I actually think it's to get you into the dealership so they can suggest all kinds of other expensive services to perform.

Does anyone know the real story about this Toyota 5K driveshaft service. Or, am I getting the shaft?

 

[integrare]

I don't really know how difficult it would be, but I usually try to do everything myself. Torque wrench is about $100 at Sears and the repair manual is about $20.

 

[eljefino]

I smell a lawyer.

"your driveshaft dropped out? Can you prove you tightened it recently?"

What kind of quality vehicle requires its nuts and bolts to be continually retightened?

 

[7TFord]

Have serviced my 98 Tacoma since new and haven't had any issues with my driveshaft to date. That isn't to say that I don't check under there frequently. I grease all fittings and check all components at least once a year. If your off road it should be done more often. They are a quality vehicle and although I'd agree they may be trying to get you into the shop for a service call it will never be to the point that the Domestics do....we hope.


You won't need to spend the money on a torque wrench either. Just go over every fastener on your drive line with a wrench or socket and if they're still tight that's all you'll need. They won't likely come loose later but do it yearly if you like. If your driveshaft drops out it won't likey be due to a loose bolt but rather a defective u-joint.

 

[GSV]

quote:

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What kind of quality vehicle requires its nuts and bolts to be continually retightened?

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Continuously checked. I've got 71,000 on my Toyota 4Runner and it has never needed tightening. This recommendation is probably geared towards the other parts of the world where there is little pavement.

 

[JohnBrowning]

It is BS!! You can check them when you are lubing everything. Two 14 millimetter wrenchs is all you need. On the older Toyota trucks their is no way you could use a torque wrench. A thin walled socket would not even fit on the nut or bolt heads of many of them due to space. A crows foot on the torque wrench will not work either!

They use lock washers as well so it is highly unlikely that they would ever loosen!

 

[Grossomotto]

I thought it was BS. The manual says to service it every 5000 miles. Take it to the dealer every 5K? Forgetaboutit.

 

[speedy341]

I checked mine at 10,000 miles with a torque wrench, they didn't move.

I don't think I'll be doing it again anytime soon.