OFFICIAL 2nd gen 4x4 front differential bearing vibration thread

Tech Note: When Doing the Needle bearing Removal / Bushing install, Go drive the vehicle for 15 minutes and warm the diff up. The heat expansion makes the Needle bearing come out much smoother. Have a plan and have your needed tools ready for removal.

 

Truck is all tore apart just waiting for bushing to arrive.... Up to this point it has went very smooth!!!! However I did notice the gear oil that leaked out of the front diff is pretty dark??? Is this normal??? I just noticed on some of the posted videos the oil that comes out look really clean/ clear?

 

Noticed a leaking CV boot on the driver side while doing my oil change the other day. I figure I should change out the bearing for the bushing at the same time I replace it.

Anyone have the removal tool for sale or rent?

I gotta wait till after Christmas to do all this, broke for the time being. Hope things will stay together for a couple weeks.

 

Used gear oil is dark, fresher oil is what you saw on the video. Sounds like a perfect time for you to change it. No worries unless chunks of metal come out when you drain the oil.

 

Thanks! I figured this much just had to ask! Also I have a little bit of grease on the inside of the spindle?? Would that have come from the cv boot leaking? I didn't see any cracks or tears in the boot????

 

I will have a tool here in few days I would sale you. Let me know if your interested.

 

I'm not sure what you're describing. Maybe a bad seal where the outer CV shaft goes into the steering knuckle? Got a pic?

Disclaimer - I've worked on lots of 3/4 ton 4WD vehicles but never tore this apart on any IFS, especially a Tacoma.

 

I'm currently at work so I don't have a pic. It is where th cv goes through the steering knuckle, where does the grease com from? And I have read that those seals are hard to find?

 

Hard to say where it's coming from. Sounds like it pretty much has to be from the CV boot or the wheel bearing area. A pic would help, we're just kind of guessing right now. Any seals and other parts should be easy to get, we're not working on an antique.

 

Its a sealed bearing so i wouldnt think it would come from the bearing unless it was shot and from what I can see the bearing looks good! thanks for your help. I hope I can get the bugs worked out of this truck! only owned it a couple weeks and have put alot of time and money into it and have only put maybe 100 miles on!!! thats just my good luck.....

 

I spoke to soon...... Mushroomed the bushing while trying to get it in..... Another $75 bucks hope it gets here soon? Any tips on getting it in? I put it in the freezer for a couple hours prior to attempting to install and soaked it in oil. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!!!! Merry Christmas to all!!!

 

that's a hopeless feeling :cringe:

just get it started with light taps, make sure it's going in straight then send it home. easier said than done but just take your time.

 

I just wanted to give everyone an update on this... I have a 2009 TRD OR double cab. I had a terrible noise between 67-73. I did NOT go away in 4x4. I went ahead and replaced the bushing while installing my 4.56 gears and the noise is gone! I am so happy. Thanks ECGS. So anyone out there with the same issue and it doesn't go away in 4x4, doesn't mean that isn't the problem. I guess for some people it went away, but not in my case.

 

i had a similar issue, replaced the bushing and then a week later i did the wheel bearings/hubs.. it was the hubs making noise.

peace of mind knowing the bushing has been replaced

.02

*edit* just to clarify: wheel bearings/hub assembly making noise

 

Anyone around the front range in Colorado or norhtern Wyoming have a tool they can lend/rent? I live in Cheyenne, but travel down to Denver and Colorado Springs frequently and I'm looking to install this bushing. Thanks!

Tim

 

Installed the bushing from ECGS yesterday in my 2012. Only 6000 miles, but with a 3" lift, was getting the vibration. Knowing it would only get worse and if the bearing failed, could do further damage, I changed it out for the bushing. Test drive yesterday and driving to work today, absolutely no vibration. Very happy with the results!

If anyone in Calgary, Alberta wants to borrow the tools, send me a message.

 

I'm in between Longmont and Louisville and have the tool.

 

Well guys, I had the same problem and no shop could figure it out. Bought the bearing from ECGS installed it and just recently drove from Virginia to Colorado with no issues. Highly recommend it and way cheaper than a new differential. Thanks for all the post from everyone who did this.

 

Is everybody simply reusing the circlip on the inboard end of the driveshaft? Or, is a new circlip the better option when reinstalling?

 

Ok, I'm trying to get some opinions on my vibration symptoms detailed below. Can you guys please tell me what you think it might be? My new 2013 has a slight vibration in the gas peddle that occurs only at exactly 2k rpm, no matter what gear or drive I'm in. Do you guys think it could be this bearing?

When the truck is cold it's worse then when it's warmed up and driven for a while. It's also worse in lower gears than in higher gears. I don't really notice it change much when going into 4HI and back though.

Out of all the posts on this site about vibrations, I haven't seen anyone ever mention it being related to a specific rpm, just mph ranges. Mine occurs at all different mph (depending on what gear I'm in). It's completely related to my rpms. As soon as the top of the rpm needle hits the bottom of the 2k line vib starts, when the bottom of the rpm needle clears the 2k line vib goes away.