Hello George,
Please accept a large bouquet from us,...
Thanks to your 80 Series web site, we have had the big end bearings in
our  '93 1HD-T
replaced by Toyota.
We have only had the vehicle since November last year, and Lyle had
heard some quiet whispers about bearings, but nothing definite.
He thought that with diligent servicing, and careful use, he could
escape any trouble.
We are retired pensioners, and this vehicle is our "last crescendo" in
the 4WD category.
To have faced the trauma of very costly repairs further down the track
would have been totally prohibitive for us.
So, from us to you, a very big thank you for caring about your fellow
80's owners.
Kind regards

At 88900 K , in my 1991 80 series, I have just had my bearings and crank shaft replaced by Toyota.
The only sign there a problem was a extreamly slight lessening of the oil pressure over the last few 1000Ks, I put this down to a lessening of the  viscosity of oil I was using, and tried different brands with no improvement.
It was only because of this group that I was aware of any problem and thank all who have persued this with Toyota. The bearings look exactly like those shown on this site.
Best regard to George

George

Just a report on the bearings situation. Picked up my 1HD-T from a dealer
last week after having new bearings and crank installed at Toyota's cost.
Delay - about 6 weeks from go to finish.

The dealer and Toyota were great, didn't do anything but try to help.
Toyota rang me several times and the dealer much more to try and speed the
process. Problem was that there were no bearing available (1 set only in
Darwin) and the dealer wouldn't pull the vehicle apart to take up room in
his service bay without the parts which is understandable. The Dealer
argued with Toyota for a long time about the quick fix - a short motor. By
magic a crank and bearings appeared very quickly.

Apparently there is a problem with some cranks (the dealer tells me) they
are prematurely wearing. My bearings were OK it was the crank that was
knackered. Have you heard of this happening before?  (Some cranks on 1HZ and 1HD-T were machined with a slight taper on the journals -  gc)

The message for other owners with the same problem is that Toyota has
advised their dealers (by memo) not to pull cars apart unless the problem
has reached the terminal stage because they do not have the parts
available. The punters could be waiting a long time. As for me, all praise
to Toyota for fixing a very expensive problem at no cost and thanks to the
Dealer.


As A Follow up to my concerns regarding the bearing issue and after
contacting my dealer here in Brisbane (who knew nothing of the matter) I
decided to email Toyota direct from their web page here in Australia.

Two days later I was contacted by telephone From Toyota Customer Relations
Dept who asked me did I have a dealer in mind that I wanted to take the
landcruiser to.

As My Servic Book had little history in it, I mentioned at the time to the
Customer Relations Lady that the vehicle was serviced by Regal Toyota
during the warranty period and after that the previous owner (having his
own trucking business) had his mechanic do the rest, and that I would like
to take it to Regal Motors with 207,000klm on the clock.

Today I called in to Regal Motors Wynnum and the Service Manager Mr.
Lochlan McDonald was terrific!!!

They took the car and came back in 30mins and said that they did not
believe there was a problem BUT as they had been contacted by Customer
Realations, and the fact that I was concerned they would replace the
bearing for me under warranty irrespective.

I would like to say that Toyota Has Been Terrific In Dealing With Me And At
NO Stage did they try to Fob me Off, Use Kilometers,Servicing Or anything
as an excuse...

My Thanks To The 80 Series Members And Toyota...


Well, after two weeks I finally have the Cruiser back with new bearing
shells at Toyota's expence. They reckon that you could hardly see any of
the wear on the old ones and wouldn't even know if you didn't know what
to look for. I couldn't care less about how much wear there wasn't,
especially as the one they towed in at the same time I bought in mine is
currently having a new crank and bearings etc installed after it shit
itself.
I wonder if they told him about the claim against Toyota???
Thank you very much for all your advice and help.

Norm and et al..

Today I approached what I consider to be the best dealership I have
dealt with (after owning over 30 vehicles I have dealt with several)
about the HDT problem. He said they had never had any problems and that
Toyota had issued a peper on the problem. He showed me the paper that
included 1989 to 1994 models.

George any chance of getting a copy of the paper from somewhere to put
on the page?

Anyhow, he explained that Toyota would only consider any action AFTER a
problem had occurred, and regardless of time or mileage. So I left,
partly satisfied that that they had never had a problem with any
vehicle.

THEN.. 2 hours later the service manager rang and said he had talked to
Toyota Melbourne and they have agreed to consider a claim. He needs my
VIN and Frame No, along with the distance travelled and the nature of
the noise.

Mine (late 92 HDJ80-T) had no noise, traveled 90kms and regular service
history with T4 (ie, Norm) in Sydney.  Had inspection of bearings done as
part of the 10k service.  Bearings found to be faulty and were replaced.
Took faulty bearings and T4 account to Trivett Classic at Rockdale (my
closest Toyota dealership).  They photocopied my owner's handbook for
details and service history, said they had little knowledge of this
problem, but would pass it on to Toyota headquarters as a warranty claim.

Two days later the claim was accepted and I have received and banked the
cheque.  Toyota did contact the T4 workshop to confirm details of the work
done.

Several others in our 4WD club (AWDC of Sydney) have had similar
professional treatment from Toyota, even though the work was done outside
their dealerships.

Hard to fault Toyota on this one, though they should notify relevant
vehicle owners for a recall and inspection as soon as possible or at least
their next service.  One wonders what happens to owners who are not aware
of this information when their bearings collapse.  Surely a $400 inspection
and replacement is better than a $5000 engine rebuild and perhaps more, if
transported from isolation.  Proper customer service does not come cheap!


I have nothing but praise for the professional manner in which
Toyota handled my case (and that of several others within my 4WD Club).
Mine was done as an inspection before there was a major drama.  The
bearings were shot - they are now with Mr Toyota.  Contact me if you want
further info.
FWIW - I believe there should be a general recall!

But then I also want a better hand brake - fat chance!


 Finally I have back my HDJ80 (1993, auto, 125000 km) with big end
bearings replaced. I had to wait 2 weeks because of the lack of one
bearing in Belgium, and it has been necessary to wait for it from Japan.
The bearings look like these on the pictures, the first very damaged. No
signs except a tic-tic-sound and a slight lessening of the oil pressure.
Toyota Italia seems not to know the problem (now in Italy is holiday
time, so I will conctact the responsible later on).
Many thanks to the group for the assistance, in particular Ian Bragg and
George Couyant.


Repairs completed on the 25th of October.
North Point Toyota and in particular Ros White have been most helpful.
Remedial work included
Crankshaft, main and big end bearings replaced.
Numbers 4and 6 conrods replaced.
Head crack tested and valves tested for straightness.
Turbo overhauled.
New piston rings fitted.
Oil pump overhauled.
All at no cost or confrontation.
Additional necessary costs at my expence included new injectors, pump overhaul and relace timing belt