Colorado Springs mechanic recommendation?

Looking to have the needle bearing where the CV axle meets the diff replaced with the east coast gear supply clamshell bushing. Two man job I think, normally I do my own work but have been having trouble locking down a capable 2nd set of hands. With that, I'd like to locate a shop or mechanic willing to pull the axle, swap the bushing and button everything back up.

I've got the parts and tools in hand...just need someone to turn the wrench. TIA.

 

@Ice Horse is are CO Springs expert

If your willing to come North I think their are many more options for help or off duty (but for pay) Toyota mech doing it.

 

I'm willing to drive to Denver if it opens my options up a bit. Would need to be on the south side of Denver (tech center) where I have an office if at all possible.

 

Maybe off topic but is this for your 16? And if so, is it still under 60,000 miles? I have 7k miles on the new driver side needle diff bearing that Toyota replaced, with no noise since. I know you bought all the stuff to do it, just another possible option...

 

Yeah, it's for my '16 and it only has 11k on it. I took it to the dealership but they said since I was the one who lifted the vehicle, I'd need to fix it. They would do it, but it'd be around $600 or $700.

Your dealership > My dealership.

 

I have a 15 so there's a TSB out for this exact problem, IDK if there is one out for the 3rd gens. If you look in some of the 2nd gen posts (https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...differential-bearing-vibration-thread.152173/), people also talk about the Magnussen-Moss act, which in so many words, the dealer has to prove that the modifications you have done to your vehicle has directly caused the problem.

Here is another link in the 3rd gen forum (https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/magnuson-moss-warranty-act.472511/)

Like I said, I haven't researched any of the 3rd gen TSB's, but if there is, that with the magnussen moss act might help. I had the TSB as well as the MM act pulled up on my phone when I went in to talk to have some ammuntion. Just FYI, I have a 15 with a 3" lift and 33's and Pedersen toyota in Fort Collins (I know, very far for you) did the fix, no questions asked.

Either way, best of luck!

 

I appreciate the info! Wouldn't the fact you lifted your vehicle be direct proof to the dealership that you caused the issue? Since the lift is what causes the needle bearing to vibrate and eventually fail? I guess your dealership is more lax with modifications than mine...

 

The lift isn't what causes the issue. It's a defect from the factory. In the 2nd gen post, you will see that stock trucks also have had the issue. Did you install the diff drop? Not sure if that would make it less "warranty-able".

 

From my very incomplete and brief research, it seems toyota didnt bother fixing the issue on the 3rd gens.

 

Correct, same issue on the 3rd gens. Interesting though, I haven't seen any reports of stock vehicles experiencing the issue. Good to know. My personal experience was no vibration pre-lift and immediate vibration post-lift. So in my case specifically, the lift certainly caused the issue. Thanks again for the insight!

 

Ahhh...darn it.

 

But they don't know that unless you tell them. Basically up to you on what you want to do to correct it but no dealership can just say lifting vehicle absolves them of any warranty claims.

 

Well, they take one look at the vehicle and see it's lifted. The tech who rode around with me said that lifted Tacomas have this issue...he even knew to put it in 4WD to see if the noise would go away, which tells me he's pretty familiar with the cause and fix.

 

Yea but thats not entirely true. Its with ALL tacomas, not just lifted. If I were you, I would walk in to another dealership with a TSB and give them hell.

 

If it was only lifted toyotas having this issue, they wouldnt have created a TSB for it...

 

Exactly, I think it's ECGs that has a big right up on how bad a design Toyota went with for that bearing.

 

The only good one I know of in the Springs is Matt at 3D Offroad. I'm not sure how busy he is but he builds KOH rigs and he's very competent. We normally do our own work too but he's the only guy I'd trust here otherwise. His shop is near Motor City. He specializes in Toyotas too.

Sorry for the delayed response lol.

 

Thanks, I actually called those guys...they were responsive and seemed friendly. But they quoted me 7 hours labor to do the job. Seemed excessive, so I declined. Me and a buddy gave it a shot yesterday and finished it in 3 hours, so I'm good to go now.

 

Just now saw this post. Was the repair expensive or difficult? Do you have a write up or video you could share?

 

Start reading the thread below...it will answer everything.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-diff-vibes-ecgs-bushing-fix.464941/