Dealer Network - buy a Toyota they say

[W&KO]

Prepping for our 2 road trip and read a lot of different forums and FB pages, lots of good info.

I do read regularly a lot of people say to buy a Toyota as the dealer network is good and you can get parts anywhere. I understand there are heaps of parts suppliers/option but let’s focus on Toyota Dealers as parts are everywhere right.

On my way to pick up the trusty work Lux from being serviced.

Needs the following before next service.
Rotors
Pads and
Rocker cover gasket has small leak.

Toyota couldn’t advise when the parts would be available amd would ring when they arrive, but hang on I can get parts anywhere?

Would have thought these would be a stocked item in brisbane.

Apparently if you touring outback australia you need a toyota because of its superior dealer network.

Oh, don’t get me started on rear mudflaps…….asked for them to fit new on ones @ 200k as one was missing. 230k service today and for the third time the mud flaps ordered don’t fit. Apparently the tub fitted doest match the car vin. I have been suggesting that maybe the car was shipped as a cab chassis and a random tub fitted in AUS. They discounted twice previously as Toyota wouldn’t do that until……….today they had new info for me. The car was delivered to AUS as a cab chassis, go figure eh.

Overall, the Lux has been 100% reliable over the last 5/6 years. No breakdowns amd major item replaced, just your normal wear and tear. It way ahead of the BT50 amd Navara in my teams allocation. I don’t have a late Land Rover to compare against.

[scarry]

Prepping for our 2 road trip and read a lot of different forums and FB pages, lots of good info.

I do read regularly a lot of people say to buy a Toyota as the dealer network is good and you can get parts anywhere. I understand there are heaps of parts suppliers/option but let’s focus on Toyota Dealers as parts are everywhere right.

On my way to pick up the trusty work Lux from being serviced.

Needs the following before next service.
Rotors
Pads and
Rocker cover gasket has small leak.

Toyota couldn’t advise when the parts would be available amd would ring when they arrive, but hang on I can get parts anywhere?

Would have thought these would be a stocked item in brisbane.

Apparently if you touring outback australia you need a toyota because of its superior dealer network.

Oh, don’t get me started on rear mudflaps…….asked for them to fit new on ones @ 200k as one was missing. 230k service today and for the third time the mud flaps ordered don’t fit. Apparently the tub fitted doest match the car vin. I have been suggesting that maybe the car was shipped as a cab chassis and a random tub fitted in AUS. They discounted twice previously as Toyota wouldn’t do that until……….today they had new info for me. The car was delivered to AUS as a cab chassis, go figure eh.

Overall, the Lux has been 100% reliable over the last 5/6 years. No breakdowns amd major item replaced, just your normal wear and tear. It way ahead of the BT50 amd Navara in my teams allocation. I don’t have a late Land Rover to compare against.

Those brake parts are very easily located after market,but the dealer will probably stick with genuine.

First set of pads and rotors,at 230K?

We also have a BT50,the Tojo's leave it for dead in every way.

[W&KO]

Those brake parts are very easily located after market,but the dealer will probably stick with genuine.

First set of pads and rotors,at 230K?

We also have a BT50,the Tojo's leave it for dead in every way.

Agree, the parts would be available in brisbane.

Was focused on the many comments around buy a Toyota because of the dealer network.

It seems heavy on front brakes….maybe due to my driving. It’s at least the second set of rotors, maybe third.

[Saitch]

In the 90s I did an alternator bearing in my Tojo shorty. This was in Kyogle, quite a largish town in northern NSW.

Was there a Toyota dealer? No.

[Homestar]

From the last 5 work cars I’ve had I can say they are all the same when it comes to (not) stocking parts at dealers. They just don’t want to spend any money holding stock so they only order from the OEM’s warehouses as needed.

Holden, Ford and Toyota - I’ve needed things like brakes to hoses, etc when servicing is done - no dealer has ever held the stock required to do the job the same or next day - it’s always ‘book it in for a weeks time - the parts will be in by then’

It’s either that or they are simply overbooked and can’t/don’t want to do the job straight away.

[rar110]

I really don’t understand why almost the entire new dual cab offerings have drum brake rears. In contrast I saw the SAIC twin cab does have disc brakes all round. [emoji15]

Defenders had disc brakes all round since 1995?

[Grumbles]

it is cost. Drum brakes installed at the factory are way cheaper than fitting disc brakes. Increases design and manufacturing costs for disc brakeswill increase the base selling price which may/will influence sales performance in a very competitive market.

[DazzaTD5]

I believe the reason for drums on the rear and pretty well leaf springs on the rear is to meet the requirements of some asian markets to call it a commercial vehicle.

As for parts availability, post covid, forget freight or supply chains ever returning to normal.

[scarry]

I really don’t understand why almost the entire new dual cab offerings have drum brake rears. In contrast I saw the SAIC twin cab does have disc brakes all round. [emoji15]

Defenders had disc brakes all round since 1995?

We have them on our work vans,they work extremely well,are very reliable and last forever.
So why change?

But they are not powerful race cars,or off road vehicles.

[rar110]

For touring/off road work discs/callipers just seem more reliable. In Toyota’s case I don’t know why discs are standard on a entry level GX Fortuna but not even an option on the Hilux 4WD SR5 which costs more.

[Homestar]

For touring/off road work discs/callipers just seem more reliable. In Toyota’s case I don’t know why discs are standard on a entry level GX Fortuna but not even an option on the Hilux 4WD SR5 which costs more.

My guess would be two fold - firstly Hiluxs wouldn’t use up much in the way of back brakes as when they aren’t loaded I doubt the rears are doing anything whereas the body and rearward weight on a Fortuna would see the rear brakes doing more. My work Hilux is 5 years old and about to click over 200,000KM and has never had rear shoes done, but front pads twice and 1 set of discs. Secondly I would imagine the margins on a Hilux are more so making them cheaper means even more money in Yotas back pocket.

[Discodicky]

My guess would be two fold - firstly Hiluxs wouldn’t use up much in the way of back brakes as when they aren’t loaded I doubt the rears are doing anything whereas the body and rearward weight on a Fortuna would see the rear brakes doing more. My work Hilux is 5 years old and about to click over 200,000KM and has never had rear shoes done, but front pads twice and 1 set of discs. Secondly I would imagine the margins on a Hilux are more so making them cheaper means even more money in Yotas back pocket.

Slightly stealing the thread but nevertheless interesting, a coupla months ago i fitted new Genuine rear shoes to my 2000 Hilux 4WD tray with 544,000 klms. Third set of shoes. Since fitting them I have a hugely annoying problem when I reverse out of my driveway they lock up within a few feet but ONLY, repeat ONLY on a cold/damp day!

Before you say they are over adjusted... NOPE, they spin freely.
I always chamfer the leading & trailing edges on shoes when I fit them, have done since the 1960's, mainly to help avoid squeals.

When they lock up I tap the brakes and they'll come ok for a metre or so then do it again. It takes around 5 applications to reverse out of my driveway. Once I've driven down the road and used the brakes once or twice the problem is fixed, never occurs again whilst the brakes are warm. I fitted new genuine drums and wheel cylinders at same time.
And yes, all the return springs are in correct place!

The problem won't occur for the remainder of the day.

Can't stop the squeal in reverse, have tried everything from sanding, chamfer sides of lining, roughen up drum, etc etc.

I am convinced it is due to lack of asbestos in the lining and it is made from some diabolical environmentally safe material which sweats under cold/damp conditions.

Oh, and the local dealer didn't have an engine oil pressure switch in stock or in Aus.... ex Japan. REPCO had one.

[scarry]

For touring/off road work discs/callipers just seem more reliable. In Toyota’s case I don’t know why discs are standard on a entry level GX Fortuna but not even an option on the Hilux 4WD SR5 which costs more.

And also changing a set of pads,and often rotors(not rears with EPB ) is often a lot easier than replacing and setting up a set of linings.

i remember the old man complaining years ago about brake linings wearing out very quickly on Series LR's that they had, on Fraser island.

Sand and dirt wears out rear pads prematurely as well,but changing just pads is pretty easy.

And to add,as i have said on other posts,we have never touched the brakes on any of our Hi Ace vans,many have done just over 300 000km,when they are moved on.
All are manual which may help,and the brakes work very well.

[DiscoMick]

Dealers for all brands rarely hold many stocks now, it is money not being used. Parts get flown in from capital cities. Toyota is the same.
Just upgrade your motoring club membership to the top level so you can get trucked to a major dealer or home if necessary.

[350RRC]

Slightly stealing the thread but nevertheless interesting, a coupla months ago i fitted new Genuine rear shoes to my 2000 Hilux 4WD tray with 544,000 klms. Third set of shoes. Since fitting them I have a hugely annoying problem when I reverse out of my driveway they lock up within a few feet but ONLY, repeat ONLY on a cold/damp day!

Before you say they are over adjusted... NOPE, they spin freely.
I always chamfer the leading & trailing edges on shoes when I fit them, have done since the 1960's, mainly to help avoid squeals.

When they lock up I tap the brakes and they'll come ok for a metre or so then do it again. It takes around 5 applications to reverse out of my driveway. Once I've driven down the road and used the brakes once or twice the problem is fixed, never occurs again whilst the brakes are warm. I fitted new genuine drums and wheel cylinders at same time.
And yes, all the return springs are in correct place!

The problem won't occur for the remainder of the day.

Can't stop the squeal in reverse, have tried everything from sanding, chamfer sides of lining, roughen up drum, etc etc.

I am convinced it is due to lack of asbestos in the lining and it is made from some diabolical environmentally safe material which sweats under cold/damp conditions.

Oh, and the local dealer didn't have an engine oil pressure switch in stock or in Aus.... ex Japan. REPCO had one.

Are the pads supposed to self adjust in reverse? If so, is there something wrong with the 'mechanism'?

My non LR ute does that apparently. Have NFI how it works, but it does. No squealing.

DL

[V8Ian]

Are the pads supposed to self adjust in reverse? If so, is there something wrong with the 'mechanism'?

My non LR ute does that apparently. Have NFI how it works, but it does. No squealing.

DL
It's a ratchet that works, if there is enough movement to catch the next tooth, when the brakes are applied while the vehicle is moving backwards. The mechanism is notoriously unreliable.

[350RRC]

It's a ratchet that works, if there is enough movement to catch the next tooth, when the brakes are applied while the vehicle is moving backwards. The mechanism is notoriously unreliable.

In a Lux?

Mine is Ford Courier aka Mazda 1999.

I twigged to this when he only had the problem in reverse.

DL

[johnp38]

It's a ratchet that works, if there is enough movement to catch the next tooth, when the brakes are applied while the vehicle is moving backwards. The mechanism is notoriously unreliable.

Hi Mr Ian, can you please empty your inbox.

Sorry for the hijack peeps.

[1950landy]

Few years a go when my brother & I were in business. we run Toyotas & when they needed parts I called consumables ( hoses , V belts , ect) was told they didn't stock parts in Brisbane but could get them up over night at my cost, I told them I would not pay for the freight on parts I considered consumables & never did. We went from Toyota's to Rodeo's , big mistake , could not buy parts for them in AU once they got to 2 years old. After that we started buying Ford Courier's & Falcon 1 ton's , parts were always available from our local dealer. We stuck with Fords up to when we sold the business & retired.

[Discodicky]

Are the pads supposed to self adjust in reverse? If so, is there something wrong with the 'mechanism'?

My non LR ute does that apparently. Have NFI how it works, but it does. No squealing.

DL

In theory, the design of the multiple springs and 'levers' etc are supposed to ratchet up and adjust the brakes when you apply the brakes whilst reversing but I've never experienced a vehicle yet where it works like its supposed to. An American design I think.

The key point is that it only happens when the ambient temp is very low or more particularly the air is damp or it's raining.
This morning with temp about 10 deg it was ok.
That's why I think the shoe linings are absorbing moisture from the air and causing the problem.

BTW, I spoke with the parts dept of the local Toyota dealer where I bought them and their response was as I expected..... bring the shoes to them and buy a new set shoes, and if the returned shoes were deemed faulty by Toyota then I'd get a credit.

Ha, I'm not that silly, can you imagine how long that would take to get a response and I know what it would be anyway..... that I should have had my local Dealer do the job in the first place! [tonguewink]:bat:

I'll just suffer, Spring & Summer isn't too far away..........[bigwhistle]

[trout1105]

Try backing the rear brakes of a bit and see how that goes [thumbsupbig]

I have owned several Hilux's and even a couple of Surfs over the years and have NEVER had a drama withe the rears locking up .

[scarry]

In another life,many years ago,we had a couple of old Mitsy vans.
The rear drums used to lock up when the rear brake cylinders weeped,from my not the best memory, i think the brake fluid caused the linings to swell,which caused the issue.