Bad needle bearing

I’m not sure how long you can drive with a “bad” stock needle bearing either. I combed through TW before I did mine (since it was mid winter and I didn’t want to roll around on the cold asphalt driveway.) People either chickened out and do the swap as soon as they felt the vibrations or blame it on Toyota and tried to have the dealer replaced it and then ended up got anxiety and did the ECGS in the end anyway. From what I gather though, the needle bearing casing is pretty brittle and there’s a chance they could chipped off and drop the metal bits into the diff and that is quite some bad news if it locks up the front wheels and send you into a wall or worse. Not that I ever heard of anyone ever got that bad, but the potential is there. It could be 2 miles, it could be 20k miles. No one knows for sure.

 

Of course it would depend on the individual vehicle, there would be no standard mileage that one could drive with a bad bearing, when you hear/feel the vibration, change it! It's gonna happen sooner or later, lifted or not, the bearing cost a measly 60 bucks, it's a no-brainer.

 

Second this question. Can the needle bearing fail catastrophically? Will it damage the diff or CV axle?

 

You'll get differing opinions. If it were to fail, metal would get into your differential and that would be bad.

However, I'm not aware of anyone's failing and I was in no rush to do mine. I think it's pretty unlikely. You're really just fixing an annoyance.

 

What is a TSB?

 

Technical Sevice Bulletin.

Basically the known fix for an issue

 

A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) is a communication between Toyota and its dealerships that can serve as an update to Toyota publications, describe parts updates, or relay enhanced or new service procedures. Service procedures may explain diagnostic steps, implementation of recommended updates, or how to perform certain repairs.

A TSB is not a recall or a Special Service Campaign. If the cost of a TSB service or repair is eligible for warranty coverage, it will be specified in the TSB, and requires that the vehicle is within the original warranty parameters and exhibiting the concerns referenced in the TSB. A TSB does not extend the warranty.

 

Thanks! I am due to pick up a 2020 cement next week TRD Sport 4wd . I want to lift it as quick as I can but the forums for my scenario are all over the place I want a fuel wheel vapor 18x9 -12 offset with 4.5" BS and want to put a ridge grappler 285/65/18 32.5" tall 11.5" Wide on it but how high to go to clear and I want to use good parts, I wish i could do it with bilstein adjustables with the stock springs and uca's but I can't get any definate answers even from area 4wd shops any advise from yall would be great

 

Looks like I’ll be doing this job real soon. Does anyone on here have a lead for a replacement tool? Willing to purchase or borrow and return it.

 

Best bet is to ask that question in a regional thread. You can usually find someone who has the tool and will let you borrow it.

 

as per the original question,,, i was on a trip when i started hearing that familiar hum, 3500 miles later the hum was much more pronounced, but none the worse for driving "feel". it got replaced when i got home and everything as been good since.

 

I have this same question as to how long. Mine started just after the new year and i have an appointment to re gear to 4.56's. However this is at the end of February. The growl comes and goes mostly after a heavy snow and a lot of in and out of 4wd. Any thoughts?