'16-'18 Front Differential Cyclical Groaning/Grinding Noise TSB

What vibes were you getting again?

 

Intermediate vibes starting around 30 mph and goes away in 4wd

 

I've had the TSB bearing in my 2013 for about 35k and 18 months. That may ease some minds on here. Back when the 2nd Gen's had to fight this, all we got was the bearing option, never offered a whole new diff, lol.

I'm betting the cleared out old stock diffs with old bearing and started putting new bearing in new diffs. Reason you are now seeing diff replacement as option.

 

I was on my little cabin fever cure trip last week / weekend. I did a lot of driving and solo wheeling on the first couple days and a lot of driving the last couple. A bit over a 1,000mi total.

Through Saturday, I was getting increasing steady and cyclical groaning at different times. All in 4th gear or higher maintaining speed while heading down slight grades and would clear up after flipping on 4Hi. It got to the point where I started to worry about shaft wear. While having coffee on the beach Saturday morning, I called the dealer and asked for them to check it when I brought the Taco in for the 5k service yesterday. Since that freaking phone call, there was not a single vibe out of the front end.

When I got to the dealer, I told them this. They only asked if I had installed any lift, and I confirm that I haven't.

After the service, the adviser said that they could not replicate the problem but were taking my word for it and ordering the TSB parts. I asked and they confirmed that they were just going to do the needle bearing, thankfully not the diff.

We'll see what happens.

 

Mine cleared up fine. Haven't had a hint of it coming back. Small lift caused mine. I think you will be good. Nice of the dealer to just go ahead and do it, usually you have to fight them.

 

That is what I am hoping for.

Yeah. They have been excellent so far on both sales and service. Well, for whatever reason, they did not do the 5k oil change yesterday. That was part of a dealership thing over the Toyota Care (two free 5k oil changes). I'm not sure what was up, but I am happier about the bearing and will either have them do it with the TSB or do it at home.

 

That actually is normal. Oil change happens at 10k and 20k.

 

Yes. I am fine with 10k intervals. It was just a nice-to-do for the first change. Like I said, I'd rather get the needle bearing done.


Maybe it was the 'if applicable' fine print? Either way, I'm good to go.

 

That's cool. Lots of people aren't aware of the oil change schedule.
Agreed on the bearing.

 

1000 miles since the diff was replaced..... Still all good no vibrations returned.

 

Did they say anything to you about a revised unit being installed or something else along those lines?

 

Yes. They said it is revised. It is a new part number also. Couldn't get out of them what was changed.

 

I am holding ecgs bushing in hand now. I'm calling dealer today...... my TW addiction could actually be a good thing for my wallet this time.

Thanks for posting op and for feedback from those that have had the replacement.

 

I drove my truck from Chicago to Denver and back. 2000 miles round trip. I didn't feel the vibration at all except 2 or 3 times I thought I felt something. Can't pin down whether it was the same vibration or not but overall I'm pleased with the diff replacement. My only complaint is how prevalent the trans issues are with our trucks. She literally would not stop hunting for gears on the highway and the mountain drive was rough but I save this topic for another thread. Other than that, I think the truck did pretty damn good for the long drive.

 

My typical luck strikes again. Since I called the dealer about the vibes on the 17th, I have not felt a single peep out of the front end. That's about 500mi down the road and I've been trying to get it to happen (usually going down slight grades at about 35 or so in 4th or 5th with just enough throttle to hold the speed). Nothing. No constant or cyclical vibes that I felt at least twice a week on my normal commute and about once on every long drive.

The dealer left a message yesterday that the upgraded bearing was in. I don't know whether to ask them to hold off or do it? I don't want to burn bridges or use up silver bullets either way.

 

You have lift on yet?

 

No lift. Just a stock Sport. I had constant vibes that were happening more often and cyclical vibes very once in a while. But, the initial call to the dealer seems to be a valid voodoo fix for me? Or maybe it was parking on a beach and sipping coffee?



After a conversation yesterday, we agreed to hold off to see if the symptoms return.

 

You got one of the Pro lifts right? It'll show up after that install Then just bring it back in then.

 

I wouldn't mind some Pro take-offs, but there are a few ground clearence things that are higher on the wish list. Exhaust reroute, tail pipe chop or axle dump, and some skids. In real life, I haven't found any issues except for one mud hole that I went through blind and lightly rubbed the cat theft bars and crossover.

They were great about it and said that it is noted and covered if it pops back up.

 

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They were great about it and said that it is noted and covered if it pops back up.[/QUOTE]

@tonered Thats the main thing. That will even cover you if it shows up after warranty. I've done that before and they were cool about it, since i complained about it before warranty was up.