Needle bearing failure on newer 3rd gen?

Anybody have the needle bearing go bad and cause vibration after lifting on a 2019 or newer 3rd gen. I’ve been reading through threads found on the search function about the ECGS bushing install and it seams like most the failures are earlier models. Do you think this is because people just know now to replace the needle bearing with an ECGS bushing? Or do you think there is a difference with the new trucks? Thanks

 

@MOC221_ 's 2019 is going under the knife for this.

My no lift 2017 vibes slightly from time to time. Some day, I will do the bushing or get the free hub mod.

 

Yes, have had many cases where the needle bearing has failed on new trucks.

 

No difference it's just that they fail more often at higher mileage which makes sense that you would see more early trucks with failure. I’ve seen failures as low as 5k miles. Changed mine at about 3-4k miles.

 

I definitely remember Toyota's "fix" for the needle bearing was still prone to failure. The ECGS is the only sure way to mitigate the rumble of a bad driver's side bearing.

 

Not the only fix.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/free-wheel-manual-hubs-conversion.513930/

 

Looks like I’ll be doing mine when I lift

 

I still cannot believe Toyota uses a needle bearing in the first place. When you remove it, you see how fragile and prone to failure it is.

 

I hear you, but it is running at about 1,300rpm at 60mph. Hardly big revs for any bearing. The fact that this is still a problem after 15yrs is the real oddball, not to mention that the latest TSB fix is swapping the entire diff assembly.

 

I'd say if your worried just change it out when you lift it. I put the ECGS bushing in my 18 when I lifted it because I was nervous about the needle bearing going out too. It's a pretty simple job and the ECGS is 100x better than having the needle bearing in there I think.

 

The shop that did my lift tried to talk me out of doing it when I did my lift, but figured for the small cost it was worth not having to deal with it later.

 

I dont fully understand this, do you just lock the hubs, or do you lock the hubs, then switch to 4wd once you get back in the truck?

 

Yessir. Just like the old days. Leaving them unlocked, you would also have the possibility of 2Lo and maybe an MPG bump from not have the front axles and CVs whirring around all the time.

 

That's pretty neat

 

Definitely. Someday for me!

 

Because the carrier shims are loose from factory.

 

Do they tight up with some miles or is that the root cause?

Mine was good for the first 4k, then started. The dealer was going to swap in the upgraded bearing at the 5k TC visit, but it stop just after I made the appointment of course. So we decided to hold off. Nice folks.

In the 30k since, it has stayed intermittent and not gotten any worse.

 

They loosen more over time.

 

Ah! Thanks.

The breakin schmoo adding some wear?

 

That is pretty cool, but I don't understand how this negates replacing the needle bearing. It would just delay the inevitable. I use 4wd on snowy roads at 55 mph quite a few times a year. I like the manual hubs though. Get both.