Small Crack Discovered While Doing Oil Change

[Snaker]

I was doing my routine 6 month oil change when I saw that there is a crack on one of the components next to the oil drain plug. To make sure it is not just debris, I ran my finger over it and confirmed it is a small crack. I am unsure about what this part is, so I circled the same part from a "The Car Care Nut" YouTube video for reference.

Is this something that I should immediately bring to the dealer to get replaced, or is it safe to postpone?

Thank you in advance.

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[SC4Runner]

I would not hesitate to take that in.

 

[127.0.0.1]

yes warranty ...[unless you've been out jumping it]

that is the front axle tube coming from the front differential

and that is a huge, extensive crack

vehicle should not be driven at all, needs to be towed
possible life safety issue if that breaks while driving

 

[Snaker]

yes warranty ...[unless you've been out jumping it]

that is the front axle tube coming from the front differential

and that is a huge, extensive crack

vehicle should not be driven at all, needs to be towed
possible life safety issue if that breaks while driving

Ok, I will schedule an appointment to get this replaced asap. This car only has 1.5K miles so this was unexpected. Thanks!

 

[HVLA]

Wow. I wonder if that is some kind of casting defect? It should take a tremendous impact to crack that.

 

[127.0.0.1]

yeah super unusual. that has to be a one-off defect.

if that is systemic, there will be a giant recall.

 

[Swiftriver]

Are you sure it’s a crack and not just a casting mark?

 

[Snaker]

Are you sure it’s a crack and not just a casting mark?

It is a crack because I ran my fingernail over it and it is deep

 

[127.0.0.1]

that is a single assembly, so it is your front differential that is cracked.

the cracked axle tube is part of the single unit

 

[127.0.0.1]

Are you sure it’s a crack and not just a casting mark?

it's gotta be a crack

though it could be a casting mark, I've never seen a casting
mark like that on any drivetrain component on any toyota

I'd be surprised if it isn't a crack...and if it is a casting mark, then others
here could peek at the front diff and see what theirs looks like they'd
have a similar 'casting mark'

 

[Snaker]

You guys should all check to see if you have the same issue before the warranty expires. If I had brought the vehicle in to the dealer to do the oil change, I wouldn't have caught that issue until it was too late.

 

[NotApplicable]

You guys should all check to see if you have the same issue before the warranty expires. If I had brought the vehicle in to the dealer to do the oil change, I wouldn't have caught that issue until it was too late.

Let us know what they say!

 

[xp0nex]

Next time I get under there I'll have to take a look

 

[Snaker]

Update: So I went to the dealership and they asked me to point out the area where the crack is. I showed them and they called over 2 master technicians to examine that area. They determined that it is a casting line since most cracks start at the edge of the part and not the middle. However, I don't believe them because a casting line is supposed to bump out and not dent in and have a bunch of cracks splitting off from the main crack. Can someone please take a picture of their component so I have proof that my vehicle has an issue (or proves that it is indeed a casting line)?

 

[127.0.0.1]

crawling under mine asap to check it...[a few hours]
If it has similar defect will post pics

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