Front differential

So out of the blue I got a death wobble on my 2007 Tacoma. I checked the front and the drivers side drive axle is totally loose going into the diff. So not being overly mechanical I took it to a mechanic in the town that I just moved to and he tells me that my front diff is gone. I checked the diff oil before I moved (1 week ago) and it was clean with no shavings or anything. Could it seriously be my diff? Truck still drives fine no grinding or anything. Thanks!

 

common issue on lifted tacomas. its just the needle bearing in the diff. you fix by replacing with a ecgs bushing.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...differential-bearing-vibration-thread.152173/

also this is the 1st gen section.


EDIT: this probably didnt cause your death wobble though. did you have the whole front end checked out for play?

 

You sure the axles aren't the problem?

 

Devinzz1 is that a pretty expensive fix? I miss my mechanic friends at home

DustStorm4x4 that's what I was thinking but like I said..new in not a pro and this new mechanic I found is saying diff..but he also told my I only have a 1" lift ony truck and didn't know what the a diff lowering kit is...I'm a little nervous

 

Why is this in the 1st gen section?

 

I have no idea. This is the first forum I've ever been in so I likely messed up?

 

Youre fired.

 

Agreed...need a five year old to tell me what I'm doing

 

As someone posted above, its probably the needle bearing. Do you use 4wd pretty frequent where you live?

 

I'd go get a second opinion. Sounds like that mechanic is just trying to rip you off.

 

Matic yes I do in the winters and duststorm4x4 that's what I was afraid of. Im no mechanic but I've had more than one diff go and the truck didn't go too far after...

 

Hmm maybe you should be easier on your front diffs?

Don't use 4wd so much on the pavement. Even in the winter.

 

Hahaha! It's for bagging up logging roads to go sledding

 

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

Bushing, seal, removal tool, and if you need install tool is under $200.

Its a fairly easy job. I did mine last year.

 

Can't say I've ever heard of DW occurring on a IFS Tacoma. Only seen it on solid axle vehicles. Perhaps we are using the wrong descriptor? Needle bearings could need replacing, but that shouldn't cause anything remotely like DW.

DW is a violent oscillation of the steering and suspension components, like so:

Could you provide more detailed symptoms of what it's doing? What sounds? Vibrations? Is it trying to rip the steering wheel out of your hand and send you into a ditch? At what speeds/rpms?

 

McMash it has always had a slight vibration in the steering wheel but then the day after doing my rotors, because I could barely hold onto the steering wheel when breaking, at times, I was doing about 60km and the steering wheel was going a couple inches side to side and at 80-90 I could barely hold on and had to slow down. Could kind of feel a grinding on the pedals.

 

this happened the day after a rotor swap? seems suspicious...

 

To me it looks like the driver's front wheel is wobbling badly at time = 1:54 minutes of the video.

 

Definitely suspicious. Did you do the brake work? A friend? A shop? Sounds like you've got some serious problems with the parts and/or reassembly. Warped rotors can cause intense vibration in the wheel and pedal. Grinding sounds like it could be an issue with the pads/rotors; something stuck between the pad/caliper and rotor, or the pads installed improperly. Could also be issues with the wheel not mounted flush to the hub surface.

Both front wheels/hubs/brake systems need to be inspected closely ASAP, as I wouldn't suggest driving it with the aforementioned symptoms.

Keep us posted!