Bad Needle Bearing

I just installed a 2” front spacer and 1” block and immediately noticed 3-5 second interval humming on the driver’s side consistent with failing needle bearing. I need to know how long I can drive on it before I can get it replaced

 

I would do it ASAP, those needle bearings make a mess when they let go.

 

So what would you say could happen worst case scenario if I have to drive it for two weeks before I can pull everything apart?

 

If the bearing falls and comes apart the needles could get into the gears of your front differential. This would bring a $50 job well into the thousands for repairs.

 

Start with a diff drop kit. It’s 2 bolts and super easy, you can do it yourself. I raised my front end 1.5” with bilstein 6112 and experienced that noise from the needle bearing at 50-60km/hour. Noise would stop when I engaged 4H. The diff drop took half the noise away. I ordered the clam
shell bushing from East Coast Gear Supply and installed it a week later. Noise is gone. The needle bearing needs to go.

 

For a 2 inch lift I would not do a diff drop. Nope, never.

I ran my stock needle bearing for about 2 months after lift. Would not suggest it. Replace asap.

 

It's not a bad needle bearing, its a lifted 3rd gen, spacer lifts always do this.

You need the ECGS bushing, anything else is a waste of money and time.

Diff drops are gone the way of the dodo, no one installs them anymore. They never helped with any 3rd gen.

 

I ordered the diff drop because it’s cheap and can get here soon. Just installing in hopes that it relieves some stress from the needle bearing long enough for me to get the ECGS bushing installed ASAP. I prefer doing my own work but I don’t have the tools or experience necessary to pull the CV, so I’ll have to find a shop that’s willing to just charge labor if I provide parts. Bought this truck with deployment money and I plan to drive it until the wheels fall off so I want to make sure it’s done right!

 

I did my ECGS bushing install after 2000 miles (1 month of time waiting for part, clear weather, and free time to do the job). The total time for the job wheels off to wheels back on was 1 hr 45 minutes. Just do it.

 

He's chosen to risk it all while installing parts he doesn't need. OP would rather ignore every single good reply. Yet listen to the one bad reply telling him to install diff drop to fix needle bearing issue.

That or OP is the ultimate bad ass troll.

 

Not installing diff drop to “fix” the issue bud. If you’ll read from left to right and top to bottom you’ll see that I’m installing it to relieve stress from the bearing until I can put the ECGS bushing in. I need 4 more days of life out of the NB. I’m out $30 and 10 minutes of my time just in case it helps, and I’ll probably pull it back off after ECGS install.

Do you think I can squeeze 4 more days out of the NB or should I keep the truck parked until ECGS bushing is in? Truly not looking for smart ass comments, I just came here for your professional opinions. Emphasis on the professional.

 

If you read my post I went 2 months. 4 days is completely fine and nothing bad will happen in that time. People have gone over a year.

Diff drop will do nothing beneficial for your issue. It will throw other things out of alignment, like front driveshaft.

 

Diff drops are completely unnecessary on the 3rd gens. They can actually do more harm then good. Been through two different lifts on my truck and taking the diff drop out on the second lift improved the ride. All a diff drop does is rotate the diff and can cause certain parts to be away from the oil inside.

The needle bearing is the culprit.

Also, CB drops are a last resort as the main driveline coming out of the transfer case should remain straight and axle shins should be tried first

 

Awesome. I cancelled diff drop order went ahead and got the new bushing over nighted. I’m just going to rent tools and tackle it myself.

 

The hardest part is getting the CV out. When you are looking at the back of the CV you will see notches where you smack a rod against with a mallet to get it out (wrap the tip of the rod, chisel, screwdriver...ECT with electrical tape first to avoid marring). Looks like this:




Oh, and don’t let 4 Wheel Parts do this job...they are idiots

 

If you use a brass rod or drift to smack on to hit it out, it wont mar or damage the CV as it is a softer metal.

 

The steps I took to fix the needle bearing issue was first try the cheaper one and see if the vibration/noise would go away. It didn’t come from just coming up with the idea. My first reaction was being disappointed that the 4x4 shop (4 Wheel Parts, Calgary) didn’t tell me if I did a raise (1.5”) the pressure would change with Shaft/Needle Bearing. I brought it to their attention and they said “never heard of that issue happening with a 1.5” lift with the bilstein 6112. They’ve seen it happen with 2-3” lifts”. They then informed me I had two options. 1. Drop kit will take the pressure off the bearing which MAY fix the issue for about $60 and 2., ECGS bushing for more $$ like about $300 (bushing, removal tool, seal, install tool) after shipping and exchange. Other tools I got to get ready to do this was around $200. I didn’t need the seal but I wanted to be prepared.

4 Wheel Parts also mentioned Cochrane Toyota also installs the bushing. I thanked him for the info and ordered the drop kit. Fingers crossed this would fix it.

I called the service advisor I know at Cochrane Toyota and asked him what his advice would be. His first suggestion “do the drop kit”. I raised my front the 1.5” so drop the diff the same. No harm done in starting there. Failing that attempt, install the bushing.” I asked him from all the needle bearings they’ve pulled out to install the bushing, what was the condition of the needle bearing?? He said they’ve never seen a bearing cause a noise or vibration with visible damage or coming apart. I felt some relief as I use my vehicle for work and couldn’t just park it. IF the bearing was to explode in the diff, I have on my list to regear the diffs anyway.

So after that discussion I drove the truck and waited the 10 days for the drop kit to arrive. I drove about 1500kms in that time.

The part came, I installed it, noise dropped in half and I could barely feel the vibration. If a stranger was to sit in the vehicle and go for a ride, they wouldn’t have felt or hear anything. I do because I know what I’m looking for.

I then ordered the ECGS bushing and waited another week. In the meantime I educated myself on install vids. Here’s the best one I found. https://youtu.be/sXIfHArtvF8

The part came on the Friday and I had picked up all the extra tools and Saturday I just dove in and did it. I took 3.5 hours to do it and wasn’t in a rush or had any help. I referred back to the vid a couple times and before I knew it I was done. Went for a test drive and all was smooth and quiet.

 

When my first needle bearing went out Toyota replaces under warranty (even with the lift) and two weeks later the second one went bad. This was also with a basic 2” OME lift. When I drained the front diff to put the ECGS bushing the there was a needle from the bearing in the diff fluid.

 

It’s a good idea to stack a couple earth magnets on all your drain plugs to keep those filings and metal bits from floating around.

 

I’ve had the ECGS bushing for over a year now and 4.88’s for almost 6 mos. diff fluid is clean as a whistle now after 2 consecutive drains and the truck drives amazing.

My plugs already have magnets on them from the factory, are you saying you add more magnets? That sounds sketchy