OFFICIAL 2nd gen 4x4 front differential bearing vibration thread

For those of you that have been living it, how bad does my life suck right now? Been getting a growl for a couple days. Thought it was alignment issues but wanted to check a couple things first... Wheel bearing seems GTG, no wheel wobble when jacked up. Then I grabbed the drivers side CV axle... It seems to have more movement than the passenger side. I took video but haven't quite figured out how to post a video.

How much movement should the CV have? I know a bit of in and out, right? But there shouldn't be any up/down or side to side???

 

Let's try this... my attempt at posting the video...

 

That in and out movement is normal.

Its the up and down slop created by the stock needle bearing that needs to be resolved. ECGS is a sure way to do so as its a tighter tolerance, and much longer supporting surface.

The TSB needle bearing has a tighter Inner diameter, but its still possible it will fail / post the problem down the road.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4qw5GtfoRc Here is a video that ECGS put out, I would say you have too much play in yours and your CV shaft could be bad by now also. One thing to know, Toyota wont cover you if anything goes wrong with your front diff if you have the ECGS bushing installed. Not that the bushing should cause any trouble but if you have any problems after the bushing is installed Toyota will blame it on the un-approved bushing. Hope this helps.

 

Gonna put the bushing and CV on order tonight. Hoping someone local already had the tools and is willing to loan them out.

Not really worried about warranty... I just passed 100K a couple weeks ago. Thanks!

Edit for auto correct

 

You can find a newer video with the bushing installed if you look it up, but your CV may still be good if you haven't been having the vibs very long.

 

Haven't had them long at all. Barely started to feel them. It was the sound that came first. I'll find the Cv local and return it if everything looks good.

 

Also with 100k on it you may want to replace the shaft seal also. I have seen the bushing replaced without removing and installing a new seal but that's up to you.

 

Yup. Contemplating having a wheel bearing on hand,too.

 

I did get the dealer to perform the TSB "fix" on mine. 3 months later, same vibes. They got a little better, maybe, but they are back to being as bad as ever. Going to do the ECGS swap next week and be done with it. Going to change the front diff, tcase and rear diff fluids all at the same time with AMSOIL Severe Gear (25000 miles right now so might as well while I am in there) and then my issues should be fully resolved!

 

You should have at least another 100K or much more left on that one. I don't think they are bad about going out, but other "helpful" people on here might could help you out more with that. I personally have never seen a front CV style wheel bearing go out with less than 200K miles on it.

 

Tacoma wheel bearings are known to be kind of lacking. Can last anywhere from 50 to 150k

 

Good info to know about the TSB fix, or non-fix.

 

Well the wheel bearing replace might be a good idea according to MTopp. 50K is kinda sad.

 

Well, parts should all be here before Friday. Hope the truck holds up until then. Went with ECGS bushing. Everything else from local auto parts stores.

I'm still undecided on the ECGS bearing puller. Looks easy enough to build and I can probably get everything I need from the machine shop at work. Or, there are plenty of slide hammer pullers on Amazon, just need to figure out the ID of the bearing.

 

I rented/borrowed all of the necessary tools from local auto parts stores. Didnt need the ECGS tool.

 

I figured I would see what is available for rental when I pick up the rest of the parts.

 

I got a slide hammer w the included attachments and had to get a smaller bearing puller as well that attached to the slide to fit the needle bearing.

 

Do you remember what size range the puller was? There are about 20 different versions on Amazon... I was thinking about ordering a needle bearing, just to measure the ID, before I Amazon prime a puller.

 

My old bearing is in my tool box at work along with my calipers I can get you the measurements in the morning if you need them I used a snap on slide hammer bearing puller but I can get you the exact size of the bearing if you need to make a puller