Bad needle bearing

So I definitely have a bad needle bearing after installing 5100s and headstrong coils. I get a good vibration/humming noise between 30-40 mph and the sound disappears if I switch to 4H. My question is how long can I drive the truck like this til I can get it fixed? Can any decent shop install the ECGS bearing? Thanks guys.

 

Anyone?

 

Its my understanding that there is a special tool required for installation so the shop would need the tool or you would need to order the tool. There was one that was being loaned out on here, may try and search for the thread.

 

It may not be the needle bearing. Be careful not to follow forum trends too closely or else you may fix something that's not broken. There is a TSB for the whole front differential due to internal bearing failure. The triubtroublesho for both TSB's are the same aside from the amount of play on the CV.

 

From everything I’ve read I am almost 100% positive it is the needle bearing. I am getting vibes on the drivers side thru the floor, steering wheel and pedals between 40-50 mph

 

I was getting the same stuff, vibration from 30-50 mph... After looking at it there was a lot of play from the driver side cv, I took it to the dealer and they pointed out the tsb for the whole diff. The needle bearing failure wouldn't cause that much play in the CV.

Feel free to change your needle bearing to the ecgs bushing. I'm just saying it may not fix your issue since there are other culprits for those symptoms.

 

What year is your truck? Mine is an 08 and well out of warranty...

 

It's a 2017. I don't think there's much (if any) difference in the front differential though.

 

I just checked the play in both CVs. The drivers side def has some play in it. Passenger side is pretty tight. Everything points to a bad needle bearing from what I’ve read....any other opinions?

 

The symptoms you are describing all point to the needle bearing for sure. Order the bearing and associated puller from ECGS and spend and afternoon changing it out. Its not all that hard to do yourself if you have the tools. YouTube has a bunch of videos that show how to do it if unsure.

 

You could pull the CV since you're going to have to do that anyways. Inspect the needle bearing. If the needle bearing is in fact bad then replace it. If not then maybe open the diff if you have the mechanical abilities and replace the bearing(s) inside that are bad.

 

I’ve replaced 5 of these now, you aren’t going to tell if the bearing is bad by looking at it. I suppose it is possible he has more issues than the needle bearing, but my money would be that a new bushing would fix his vibration

 

Thanks for the info guys. I will be having a shop do this. Would you recommend ordering a new axle seal too?

 

How can you not tell a bearing is bad by inspecting it? If the inner race has a lot of play, rollers are flat or sloppy, outer race is damaged or if the bearing is anything but somewhat solid then it's bad. Am I missing something?

 

I would, it can be done without disturbing the seal, but since its all apart you might as well put in a new one. ECGS supplies OEM Toyota ones.

 

Replace the seal, yes, along with the diff fluid. I recommend Lucas Oil 85w140.

 

The problem with the bearing is a clearance issue with the CV race. 3 of the 5 bearings I've pulled out looked fine but vibrated like crazy after a lift was installed. The bushing has a much tighter clearance on the CV race than even a factory brand new needle bearing does.

 

You can tell if a bearing is bad by looking at it, you just have to know what it is you're looking for. If you don't know what to look for, then it's pointless to do so.

 

Is there a need to buy the install tool or just the removal tool?

 

If you're doing it yourself, you can get the exact same install tool ECGS sells at Harbor Freight. If a shop is doing it, which I recommend a Trans shop, then they should have the appropriate tools.