2004 Toyota Sienna AC problems and Strut problems

Recently, when the AC runs it makes a grinding noise. The Van has 67K miles
on it and these are 90% easy driving highway miles. I know this is not
good. I also know it is out of warranty. I am also aware that this is
becoming an issue on the internet, as I found information on a Toyota
issued Technical Service Bulletin (AC003-05) that discusses these problems
and recommends improvements. My Toyota dealer in Tampa Florida's service
department is not easy to deal with to say the least and I am beginning to
worry about the issues that will result from not getting this taken care of
as I have read two stories online now
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Auto-Air-Conditioning-1591/Toyota-Sienna-co...essor-f
that describe this same problem. What can I do? How many others out there
have this issue? What is Toyota prepared to do, if anything to take care of
this as it basically means replacing the entire system if there is metal
flying around in there. I have worked on engines since I was a child, I am
going on 40 now, I know metal on metal when I hear it.

Any comments?

I would love to get a thread started here if there is any commonality out
there.

And....

I was told a month ago while replacing my front tires that both of my front
struts were blown as well (you can sort of tell with the rattling and
drifting and that the van no longer sits evenly on a flat surface). Same
2004 Sienna, with 67000 miles on it. Both problems started about 2 thousand
miles ago.

Thanks

Len from Tampa

"len" <lengold DeleteThis @tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message
news:46c52682$0$18950$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> Recently, when the AC runs it makes a grinding noise. The Van has 67K
> miles on it and these are 90% easy driving highway miles. I know this is
> not good. I also know it is out of warranty. I am also aware that this
> is becoming an issue on the internet, as I found information on a Toyota
> issued Technical Service Bulletin (AC003-05) that discusses these problems
> and recommends improvements. My Toyota dealer in Tampa Florida's service
> department is not easy to deal with to say the least and I am beginning to
> worry about the issues that will result from not getting this taken care
> of as I have read two stories online now
> http://en.allexperts.com/q/Auto-Air-Conditioning-1591/Toyota-Sienna-co...essor-f
> that describe this same problem. What can I do?

I would find another Toyota dealer or independent shop with a service
department that you are comfortable with or fix it yourself.

How many others out there
> have this issue? What is Toyota prepared to do, if anything to take care
> of this as it basically means replacing the entire system if there is
> metal flying around in there. I have worked on engines since I was a
> child, I am going on 40 now, I know metal on metal when I hear it.
>
> Any comments?
>

I doubt if Toyota will do anything if your vehicle is out of warranty, but
if you are a good customer at a Toyota dealer's service department, they may
try to go to bat for you. On the other hand, if you have never been there,
your chances of getting a good will repair are not that great.


> I would love to get a thread started here if there is any commonality out
> there.
>
> And....
>
> I was told a month ago while replacing my front tires that both of my
> front struts were blown as well (you can sort of tell with the rattling
> and drifting and that the van no longer sits evenly on a flat surface).
> Same 2004 Sienna, with 67000 miles on it. Both problems started about 2
> thousand miles ago.
>
> Thanks
>
> Len from Tampa
>

If you have the struts replaced at a Toyota dealer, you will have a lifetime
warranty on parts and labor for the struts.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)