front end growling noise

This Kit is the what others have used to fix the issue. I ordered and just received my kit, need to get it installed this week:

http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-8536125-toyota-8-clamshell-bushing.html

Cheers

 

I had the ECGS bushing installed by a local mechanic and the vibration issue went away. I have the an '06 4.0L 4x4 TRD with an almost 2" spacer lift. I don't think I had the clicking issue you're describing, or if I did I don't remember it. But make sure and remember to replace the CV axle if it shows the slightest wear. I highly recommend this fix before you start replacing other, more expensive parts.

 

Funny, I hear a similar growling noise when Im in the close proximity of a Frontier. I think my Taco is just being territorial...

 

Thanks, but some people on here say the bushing or wheel bearing, should I do both?

 

If you *believe* it is both then to be sure you can determine if it is the needle (carrier bearing) by driving down the road, and while hearing the growling, place the truck from 2wd to 4wd. If the growling goes away, its the needle bearing. if it does not go away then its likely the outer (hub) bearing, or both.

Do the 4wd test first. that will help you determine where to look.

 

So I installed the East Coast Gear Supply (ECGS) bushing kit today... The install was pretty strait forward. I made one minor "improvement" to the Bearing puller.. I attached some .032 safety wire to the "puller" portion of the tool. (see pictures). I did this to prevent the possibility of losing the tool in the diff. This minor improvement worked out really well! The total job start to finish took about 3 hours, there was some difficulty getting the CV axle out, but once past that the rest of it went relatively quick.

The bushing went in as designed, but one suggestion I can make is if you are using the bushing (seal) driver kit that ECGS offers on their website, I recommend using a small pipe to slide over the handle and extend the length of the tool past the knuckle so you can swing the hammer a little easier, otherwise you tend to tap on the thing for a good while before you get it started...

After a few good whacks, it gets started and you drive it in until is is just flush with the champhered edge of the bearing race in the diff housing. Then replace the seal (if needed) and reinstall your axle as norm.

On the test drive, the growling and the vibration felt in the floor was gone, and the truck was noticeably quieter going down the road. I put the truck in 4wd, for a bit to circulate the gear lube in the diff and then shut it off. There was no "growl-off, growl-on" indication as before when you put it into and out of 4WD.

I will chime in at a later date if there are any other issues... for now, I think this bushing repair is the cure for the dreaded "lifted tacoma growl"...

(Props to ECGS for putting this kit together!!)

 

So what is the exact problem with the growling? Is the oem bushing broken in there, causing the growling sound? I'm just just trying to figure out the mechanics behind it. The noise is starting to really annoy me.

 

^ To sum it up...too much slop and carrying too much of a load (weight of CV Axle).

 

There is no OEM bushing. It's a needle bearing and what 05Moose stated that is causing the problem.

 

So Ill try to explain as simply as possible.. when you lift the truck you increase the load on the bearing and side gear due to the increased CV angles. According to ECGS; Since Toyota used a cast carrier housing, and didn't machine the surface with closer tolerances for the side gear you get an increased load on the needle bearing causing the growl. (see their you tube video here)

The removal and replacement of the needle bearing with the ECGS bushing kit tightens the tolerance in this location and adds additional support due to the additional width of the bushing taking the load off the side gear.

I have tried to illustrate the point (as best as possible with powerpoint...) in the attached picture.

Hope that helps

 

THANKS FOR THE INFO!!!

 

Does anyone have a good video or write-up on the entire process, not just bushing replacement video on ECGS website?

found one: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...-front-wheel-bearing-2nd-gen.html#post4074919

 

Does anyone have the ECGS bushing puller I can borrow or rent?

 

Toyota does not repair big stuff under warranty they replace them the old one goes back is overhauled and becomes a replacement for the next one. If you feel a roughness and have a grinding type of noise at low speeds that goes away in 4WD it is the needle bearing axle support. Toyota replaced the front diff in mine for the very same reason. The ECGS replacement is exactly like the old GM X body cars that had similar issues with their front drive transmissions.

 

So is this bearing only on the drivers side. Is there something on the passengers side that could cause the growling?

 

Both have a bearing but different design. No doubt this will start some thing but this is why Toyota says to drive the truck in 4WD 10 miles or more per month. When it is not in 4WD only the axles spin the ring gear doesn't and the oil does not get flung around inside of the diff to lube the bearing at either end. This design came from GM and frankly it should have stayed there I had no problem locking in my front hubs and in the winter just left them locked in worked for me for over 285K miles.

 

I miss locking front hubs...

I use 4wd much more than recommended and still had to replace the bearing. The noise started at 45k (when I lifted 2.5"). I had the bushing installed at 55k a couple weeks ago and the bearing looked fine, and my mechanic said there was zero damage to the axle - yet.

 

has any one replaced the bearing with a new oem bearing? There only $12....

 

I did about 8 months before ECGS had made their bearing. Still working fine after 50k miles with 5100s set to 1.75. But I wouldn't waste my time taking it all apart only to throw in another poorly designed part knowing in the future it will go bad. When this 3rd one fails (yes, 3rd!), ECGS bushing it will be.

 

I'm gonna rehash this once again. Here's my issue and what's been replaced so far. Growling noise between 25-40 mph happens in drive and neutral and 2wd or 4 wd makes no difference sounds like it's coming from the passenger front side. I have replaced upper and lower ball joints cv axles both front wheel bearings twice second set came from bamatoy. I've done the ecgs bushing changed all diff and transfer case fluid have all new u joints and carrier bearing. I'm at a total loss on what it could be! Truck runs smooth there's no vibes at all just the noise. It doesn't change sound when weaving left to right either like a wheel bearing would. Any advice at this point would be a blessing. Thanks