1st Gen 4x4 Front Diff Bearing Vibration

Yeah man, I thought the same thing. Turned out to be super simple to pull everything apart.

 

Finally got a chance to install the ecgs bushing! NO MORE VIBES!!! Was really easy to do. Had a buddy help me which made a big difference. Didnt run into any issues. Well... had to go rent a race driver to install the new bushing. Kept wanting to start crooked with the reverse socket and extension method.

I would highly recommend replacing the diff seal as well. I did. When prying my old one out it pretty much started to fall apart.

All went together smoothe. No leaks, no vibes. Very happy. Went ahead and drained and refilled the front diff and transfer case with MT-90. Already did rear diff and tranny.

Ill be posting the bearing removal tool for sale here shortly. It worked great.

 

jspansel, Just sent you a PM, interested in the tool when you're ready.

T

 

Replied! Tool is now sold.

 

Can I call dibs on the tool, after you're ^^^ done with it?

 

Interesting you should post today. Just ordered the parts and I'm hoping to get them in next weekend. I'll PM you about the tool after I get everything installed.

Tom

 

And your the man for selling me it! I'll be doing the bushing this spring pretty soon if someone is looking for a tool. Ordering the bushing now

 

Yeah man! Get on it! the good part about buying someone else's tool, is it's already trimmed and works... Let's keep the tool chain goin'!

 

In case anyone is out there. I am in the middle of the bearing replacement, and the new bushing will not seat all the way, about 1/16 out still

What do I do?

Tom

 

Mine was like that too, It seems to be ok. I think alderleets was too

 

Here is what alderleet said ^

 

OK, I adjusted my install tool (frankenstein) (I'll post picstures later) and got it to less than 1/32 out.... I'm gonna go with it like that.

Any tips on replacing the seal?

Tom

 

The way I've done it, is put the seal on the cv axle, line it up and insert as much as possible, then smack it in with a pry bar and hand sledge... So far so good. Glad your bushing is in, mine sticks out more, but not too worried.

 

Ok, guys.

Done! Vibration Free!!!!!

Thanks for the help today, I ended up not doing the seal, only cause I was 5+ hours into it and wearing out... I hope it doesn't leak, but if it does, I know how to fix it.

I'll post my saga and hopefully some video clips later, including what I ended up using for an install tool.

best,
Tom

 

I'm not a videographer, but here's a compilation of my bearing replacement and a postscript on what I used for an install tool.

http://youtu.be/X8UijTh2Mwc

 

draddots, sent you a PM, Tool is now for sale

 

dradots said he's not ready to do the job yet, so it's available to anyone.

Just PM me.

Tom

 

Wow, I just stumbled on this thread and I'm wondering if I have the same problem? I've had a vibration for about 6 months now that I was thinking was caused by the center bearing on my rear drive shaft, but now i'm not sure.
its a vrm..vrm..vrm sound that increases/decreases with wheel speed. However it does NOT go away in 4 HI in my case.

it starts at around 20mph. Its less noticeable on the highway but definitely still there.

I just replaced my CV axles about 2 months ago (I had torn boots on both of them). However, this did not fix the problem. Now I have a leaky diff seal on the passenger side CV axle. I also have a new noise that sounds like a bad wheel bearing when turning to the left. I was about to replace the passenger side wheel bearing and the leaky seal.

Could all my problems be related to bad diff bearings?

My truck is an '02 Taco 4x4 Xcab with 190,000K. Have had 2.5" OME lift for 6+ years.

Let me know what you think!
Thanks

 

Well, I'm no mechanic, but it seems most of us that have the front diff bearing problem, have the vibration between 25-40 and it goes away when you pop it in 4 wheel drive mode.

You may want to post it in a thread and see if someone leads you to the problem, but you may be dealing with multiple problems too.

Tom

 

Yeah, the fact that it doesn't go away in 4wd makes me think something else, but I'm also no mechanic does anything change at all when you throw it into 4wd? Also, have you tried adding spacers for the carrier bearing?