Front Diff Vibes ECGS bushing fix.

Well, son-of-a... I finished installing an Icon Stage 3 lift in my 2016, got about 1 1/2" with stock settings and tires. Test drive and there is a new noise. I can't imagine what else it could be. Intermittent low pitched growl and vibration I can feel through the gas pedal. More noticeable at lower speeds and when turning vs. driving in a straight line.

I took it in for the post install alignment, hoping maybe with was tire noise. Drove around a bunch afterward, and didn't notice it. After a long shift at work today, the noise was very noticeable when I started my drive home. Lessened by the time I got home. I can't think of what else it could be.

Any way to definitely diagnose it as the bearing?

 

Yeah, the many 100's of page threads here on TW, also if you put it in 4HI the noise will go away.

 

Mine gets worse the colder it gets. Goes away in 4hi.

 

It's because all you bros just pay out of pocket and replace them yourself.

I'm not saying that's a good or bad thing but the first thing I noticed about this forum when I joined is just how much shit you all are willing to put up with or fix yourself on BRAND NEW vehicles. it's usually justified and done under the auspices of it being "just a truck"!

You got guys checking transfluids using paperclips, $50+ in fluids, etc etc people duck taping control arms, 3m gluing fluttering hoods, replacing diff howl out of the gate, torquing ubolts, greasing zerks

Then on the same board to it have people complaining why they haven't fixed it in years. Well, that's why. You guys don't make them pay for their bullshit. They don't know or don't care because it's not costing them anything.

 

Engage 4wd, see if it goes away when in 4wd, then comes back when 4wd is disengaged. If yes to all of those, needle bearing is goner.

 

Does this thread apply even to 4x2 tacomas too? Cuz I can understand some of this stuff

 

My truck isn't lifted so does this mean I'm ok?? Thanks

 

I mean, you're not wrong. The consensus is that many owners don't trust their dealerships for one reason or another.

 

I went for a drive last night and could hear the vibes and feel them in my feet. Put in 4WD and it's weird how quiet it is. So pretty sure I have this problem. I'm pretty much stock too, I just have a .5" spacer on the front coils to level it out a little. I wonder if the dealership will take care of this for me? Only have 8400 miles on it. Cant believe I've got this problem.

 

There is a TSB for the loose needle bearing. They might replace it for you with the "revised" bearing. But, from what I've seen and heard its just a matter of time before the new one loosens up and lets the CV rumble again.

I just spent the $60 and 2 hours of my time and put it in my rearview for good. Well worth it.

 

No. only 4X4s are affected. Its caused by a faulty needle bearing in the front diff that doesn't support the drivers CV shaft well enough.

 

Symptoms are more likely to develop on a lifted truck but the needle bearing is overall weak so not really immune to it without a lift. Do you have symptoms?

 

jesus christ, dont let me post from my cell phone in bed. Those autocorrects are horrendous.

 

Well see how the dealers do with the 2017 TRD PRO since Toyota lifted it maybe they will properly deal with this issue.

 

I expect them to replace it with another weak needle bearing which will likely fail again on a lifted truck. PITA for you and a waste of time. Toyota is not in the business of installing aftermarket bushings such as the one from ECGS as it would void warranty on the diff. Best of luck though.

 

My stock 05 started leaking at 117k. Wish I had know about the bushing!

 

Hey Guys,

Lifted 3" here - had the vibes - Went to dealership with ECGS bearing in hand and explained what I had going on. The service writer was actually very nice about it, didn't mention the lift at all. The tech was not comfortable replacing the old needle bearing with the ECGS bearing for liability reasons, so I opted to have them just replace it with the updated bearing knowing that it will likely fail again. I made a joke about setting an appointment for the 10k mile service to include another bearing swap. Anyway, the new Toyota "updated" bearing did fix the vibes, but for how long is the question. At least it is documented and a known issue to this dealer.

If this bearing fails while I own the truck, the service writer said he will get a tech that doesn't care and will put in the ECGS and not tell anyone.

 

Thinking about ordering this soon. Lifted my 2016 and had the dreaded growl. Took it in. Toyota actually replaced my whole front differential because they said there was almost no diff fluid in it from the factory and had burned up my diff. Replacement differential fixed the problem for about 5k miles and now the growl is back. Classic symptoms. Growl at low speeds, worse in the winter when truck is cold, goes away in 4wd.

 

Just got my ECGS bushing installed by my local guy who also does everyone's lift in Socal. I highly recommend getting this done if you have a lift. I had the rhythmic sound when I had my BP-51's installed and thought my tires were rubbing on something, but it was actually the driver side clam shell. Smoothe and quiet now!

 

Another happy ECGS bushing customer. Only a few miles in but whirling vibrations are gone!