OFFICIAL 2nd gen 4x4 front differential bearing vibration thread

So in layman's terms, the conversation went like this, "Don't call us, we'll call you...or not."

 

The dealership is Doxon Toyota in Auburn, WA. The Sr. Tech who drove the truck and checked out the slop is Jason Waugh. I've been talking with Scott Hummel, Assistant Service Manager. You can get his number from their web site. Great group of guys, haven't had any of the push-back from them like others on this thread have seen.

As I said before Scott is going to contact Toyota again and get back with me after the holidays. I'll update when I hear from him.

 

Well I dropped my truck off at the dealer I bought the truck from. It took a lot of phone calls and a meeting with 4 managers to get it done but we came with with a solution to keep my business. They would provide the labour and I paid for the parts and the front diff warranty would be deemed void from this point on (which is fine, I'm waiting an ARB air locker anyway but from what I'm reading this should last me a long time).

Side note:

I had also wanted my fender flares removed and returned to stock (bought it lifted and with flares), I used the excuse that I can't install mud flaps with them on (which is true, and I DO want to run flaps to protect the truck) and they offered half off the labour and they supplied the oem flares and clips.

Overall quite happy in the end but there was a lot of heels digging in and just took some conversations (not yelling matches) to get what we both wanted. I got my clam shell installed for free, and they have a customer returning in the future for a RTT, lockers and steel bumpers.

 

Installed my ecgs bushing yesterday. Changed the diff fluids and everything smooth and noise is gone completely. Wasnt a bad install took me about 2 hours on a lift with air tools.

 

Just saw this thread for the first time and now I'm scared.

 

This thread delayed me buying a Tacoma for over a year. lol. Now I have a 2 3/4" lift up front and I rarely feel the vibe. Sometimes I feel it when I first get going and it's cold out. If, rather when it gets worse I'll spend a couple hundred and fix it. No big deal.

 

if it makes ya feel any better i just bought my tacoma 2 months ago. and have already done balljoints alignment and this bushing in the diff. but i still love my tacoma. lol

 

Thanks Corpunk. I will pass this on to my dealership and see if they can give Doxon a call, and will update everyone on what happens. I'm still scheduled to drop the truck off on the 29th.

 

Does anyone have the removal tool to take out old bushing, that I could buy/borrow? I'm going to be doing my install with a friend, on a lift, and need the special removal tool. Please pm me if you can help.
Matt.

 

I am in the process of installing my bushing and I won't need the removal tool after. PM me and we figure something out.

 

Subbed

 

I have always had this noise I just didn't properly recognize it. Definitely became more noticeable about a week ago after I lifted 2.5".

Looks like I'll be going down the ECGS road in the future. Ugh...

 

Put my order in with Chase at ECGS today .... will update post install and road test results.

 

Just got through replacing mine and there was clearly visible wear on the needle bearings ( dark line across needles in photos ) and wear on the edges of the race in between every bearing visible as the shiny wear spot on the race

 

Ok so I have read about 1/3 of these post hit and miss but still have couple questions.


I just bought my Tacoma 2 weeks ago and noticed the fantast vibration (no noise) when excellerating "on takeoff" in the 10-20mph range and goes right away. Is this normal engine/driveline harmonics for this truck?


Are the 2015 diff's built the same way with the needle bearing's etc. or did they fix this issue yet? My 02 Tundra 4.7L (3" lift) had no driveline vibrations.


I see a lot of threads saying not to put diff drop/spacers on the newer trucks. The guy at Toytech had not herd of this issue? I would think any amount of CV angle relief would be beneficial. What is the down side of doing the spacer drop?


I was ready to pull the trigger on some new coil-overs but this has me 2nd guessing.

 

Hey C4,

Congratulations on your 2015 TRD.

I’m surprised you’re feeling the vibration but not hearing any growling noise that cycles… but not in sync with tire rotation. That was a sure sign on mine.

After the dealership replaced my diff, the manager noticed that I didn’t have the diff spacers/shims that they ‘normally’ put in when the raise their trucks. They ended up doing that for free because they felt that they ‘missed’ that recommendation when I had the truck lifted, and wanted to rule out that the CV angle itself was part of the issue.

Since then, and I don’t know if it’s physiological or not but… I swear the truck handles better. It definitely looks better because as you pointed out, the CV angle is not as severe.

I noticed you mentioned you were ready to put on some new ‘coil-over’ shocks. You can save yourself some money by putting in Bilstein 5100 Extended shocks, which re-use your current coils. They’ll lift up to 2.5”. I think the increments are 3/4", 1.5” and 2.5”. On the rear I combined a 1” block with an extra leaf for another 1”.

Cheers.

 

I noticed this too since almost day one. Bone stock. I'm guessing it's just the drive characteristics and nothing malignant - if we're talking about the same thing.

Same. Haven't decided yet. I'll probably do it though and just get the ECGS fix done if I can.

Anybody in Minnesota know of someone that has done this already?

 

Yep, normal, but not acceptable. I bought my 2012 new and had the 10-20 vibe since day one, dealer eventually installed the TSB leafs which raised the rear about 1" and completely eliminated the vibe.

2015 diff has the same needle bearing. When I raised my truck 1.75" I noticed the diff vibe. Installed the ECGS bushing and no more vibe.

 

Sorry, could you explain this further? Could I get my dealer to fix it?

 

What does TSB stand for? If it has something to do with the "towing package" my truck came with that option.


Currently I am waiting for the new 6100 billy's to come available next month. I will probably raise the truck early spring regardless, I can't drive a stock truck, LOL! I will deal with the bearing issue if and when it happens. Thanks for the info guy's.