Rear Differential Rav4

[Wallenstein]

2 of our salesmen have 2006 RAV4s and in the past 3 months we have had to replace the rear differential on both of them. The cost runs about $4000 each which is ridiculous for a vehicle that is not even 2 years old. They are at 120K so we are out of warranty. I am thinking there are going to be a lot more people out there who will run into this problem. Has anyone heard of others with this problem. V

[anchorman]

Hello Wallenstein.

I don't think anyone who visits the forum has done anywhere near those mileages (I presume you mean kms for Canada?). The rear diff has a multiplate clutch which must wear but you are the first to indicate any sort of projected mileage. The drive into the rear axle is constantly variable up to 45% and it is continuously engaging and disengaging depending on conditions, speed and load.

Maybe somebody who looks in has done around 75000 miles. If so hopefully they will comment.

Regards

[bothwell_buyer]

Hi

I know nothing about the 2006 RAVs

My 1994 RAV (number 1) has 171,000 miles on the clock and is still running the original rear differential. I'm now shoving up towards 300bhp through it and apart from having to stiffen the rear diff bush, have not yet managed to trash it. Its doing 15.4 seconds on the quarter mile but having changed part of the exhaust should be towards 12 seconds. This puts one helluva strain on the diff and it takes it.

The early model RAVs are 50:50 transmission front and rear, and I know from the other 6 guys around the world who have turbo'd their RAV that the rear diff is not the weak point apart from the mounting bush. The 4.1s were engineered to take around 300bhp+.

It seems as if Toyota have replaced the diff and drive train with a lesser system. I'd get onto Toyota in Canada and Japan and ask for an explanation of such poor engineering. It points a warning sign to some of the guys in the UK too.