OFFICIAL 2nd gen 4x4 front differential bearing vibration thread

So I recently put 5100's on all 4 corners with OME 883 springs, new SPC Light Racing uppers, and 2 new lowers (basically OEM). This essentially leveled my truck and now I'm noticing the vibrations that go away when the truck is in 4x4. Took it back to the 4x4 shop and they put a diff drop to try and fix the CV angle (truck was lifted in the front about 1.5" max). They said the bearing had some play in it and that the diff drop helped slightly.

Bought the East Coast Bearing and took it to a different independent Toyota shop and they are saying that it's not my bearing and actually my axle. Has anyone had people confuse this with the axle being out of spec? This was over the phone so I'm not 100% on what part of the axle is being talked about until I get something in writing. Recently had the 90k done and the 4x4 shop didn't see anything like this either.

Anyone have similar issues?

 

From what I read and saw in the video of this thread. The cv axle on the driver side naturally has too much slope/play because of poor design and machining. Look at page 4 of this thread and you should be able to find a video from ecgs.

Other than this I would suggest looking at the TSB thread as well.

Hope this helped.

 

Thanks for the info, I had watched the video before taking my truck in and checked the play. It did have play but it was comparable to the video so I was skeptical about the axle. I had the axle and bushing put in yesterday and the vibrations are gone. I can't be sure what fixed it but I'm leaning towards the bushing.

 

Is it an OEM Toyota CV axle?-non-OEM cv axles are all trash pretty much.
It's very likely it was the needle bearing - which the shop may not have realized was a problem.

 

Hello to all. I'm the proud owner of a 2011 Sport 4x4 with 93000 miles on it, and recently, I've developed the dreaded front end growl and vibration. It becomes really noticeable at around 30 mph and doesn't go away, even at speeds up to 80 mph. Also, it doesn't stop when the 4wd is engaged.

The noise is definitely coming from the driver's side. I jacked up the truck and checked the left wheel bearing, but everything felt tight. However, when I rotated the wheel there was a clicking noise coming from the front differential in the area where the left axle enters the differential. Also, there is some back and forth play in the axle in this area as well.

The fact that the noise doesn't stop whenever the truck is in 4wd has me wondering if it is it the bushing issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Check and make sure you have fluid in your front diff.

 

Thanks for responding, Texoma. The fluid's all good. Matter of fact, I changed it yesterday for the 90000 mile service and it's had no effect on the growling noise and vibration.

 

If it doesn't go away in 4hi, and you've thoroly checked your wheel bearings, it may be your CV axle. Typical test is to jack up the truck turn the wheel all the way left and all the way right spinning the tire at each lock to try and replicate popping or grinding.

 

I'll give that a try, but the clicking noise is definitely coming from inside the differential. Also, is it normal for the axle to have a good bit of back and forth slack in the place where it enters the differential?

 

That all depends on how much you say is a good bit. A few millimeters, sure. An inch, no.

 

It's only about a quarter of an inch. I'm gonna check the cv joint and recheck the wheel bearing best I can. But I'm also leaning toward replacing that needle bearing with the bushing that was mentioned in an earlier post. The area where the bearing is located is where the clicking noise is coming from when I jack up the left wheel and rotate it.

 

I've put front wheel bearings in all 3 of the second gens I've had. And they do growl and make a lot of noise/vibration. Usually don't have any play in them like most people expect to find with a bad wheel bearing either. So just because there's no play in it doesn't mean it's not the source of the noise. I had a front fail around 75k miles on my first second gen and it hadn't ever been off road or had oversized tires on it.

And after installing 884's on my current truck I instantly discovered I had the dreaded vibration that goes away completely in 4WD. Got my ECGS bushing in the mail yesterday. I'll probably install it with the light racing UCA's that haven't arrived yet.

 

Installed the ECGS Bushing on my 2016 TRDOR and the vibe is still there in 2wd, but is goes away in 4wd. I have a 1.5 inch lift, no diff drop yet. 5000 miles on truck, very irritating. any suggestions? Maybe try different oil like reline synthetic? or just say screw it and get an ARB front locker? I cant stand it anymore.

 

Mine did the exact same. However I didnt install the ECGS bushings. I took it to the dealership. They are replacing the whole front differential today under warranty despite my lift. They said that my front diff fluid was about 1/3 what it was supposed to be which is why they are covering it despite the fact that I have a 3 inch suspension lift.

 

Getting ready to order the ECGS bushing. Does anyone have the removal and install tools that I could either borrow or buy? Thanks.

 

Hey guys, not to hijack this thread, but can anyone ID whether or not my cv-to-front-diff bearing is shot? It's the original and I have 185,000 on the rig. No change in vibration in or out of 4wd. No noise to speak of. I'm virtually certain I have a shot wheel bearing too. Same side (driver's).

 

So Toyota has a new bearing? Was it manufactured to address this specific problem? Just wondering if I'd be better off going with a new and improved bearing as opposed to the ECGS bushing?

 

Wondering the same thing myself...

 

Funny that a lot of people replaced the wheel bearings first like I did.

I'm up to 15,000 miles and counting without a peep from the front end with the ECGS bushing.

 

js312 - can you watch this video I took last evening and give me your opinion on whether or not my bearing is bad? I think I also have the same-side wheel bearing that needs to be replaced (again).