'16-'18 Front Differential Cyclical Groaning/Grinding Noise TSB

@tonered Thats the main thing. That will even cover you if it shows up after warranty. I've done that before and they were cool about it, since i complained about it before warranty was up.[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure if dealers finally caught on that real CS is a good thing and saves / makes money in the end, but I was a person that truly detested any shop except my own garage. The last three dealers that we have bought from (motorcycle, Subaru, and Toyota) have really been great. Even in a case or two when they didn't find the problem that we asked about, they didn't just say 'nope.' They thoroughly checked the issues and gave a friendly explanation with the comment that they'd be happy to look at it again in the future. Some might call that lip service, but it has been trustworthy in my experience. I've also check some things, like fastener torque, after I got home and have been happy there. I'm starting to crawl out of my cave.

 

I am going to the dealer tomorrow for this. They replaced my rear diff about half a year ago from leaking 0.o . Trying to love this truck.

 

I took my truck to the dealer for an intermittent vibration today and they're ordering a new front differential. I haven't re-geared my truck yet (mama says maybe father's day, mama is awesome!) But it makes me wonder. Has anyone had this TSB done at the dealer with new diff gears installed? If so, what was the outcome?

I'll install the gears myself but I do wonder how the dealer will handle the diff swap when there are other gears inside the diff.

 

Some dealers just install the needle bearing and not a whole new diff, for the 3rd gens. Its hit and miss. That was only thing they did for 2nd gens, so i bet you could just talk them into only doing the needle bearing, if you had already re-geared. Depending on the dealer, that is.

 

Was having a strange vibration in the steering wheel/front end at times during hwy speeds. I tried two sets of new tires, road force balancing & alignment. Did all I could without replacing parts on truck. Brought it to local dealer who mind you has been great. They inspected the needle bearing right away. Found the drivers side CV axle loose inside differential & hitting differential pin inside. Got new CV axle & the updated differential assembly. All good now.

 

I get a vib when I'm slowing down to come to a stop after I did a 2/34 / 3'' lift

 

Probably the needle bearing or driveshaft geometry. Do you feel it on the brake pedal/steering wheel/floor?

 

Turn on your 4x4, if it doesnt do it then, its the needle bearing. Go to dealer and get tsb done. Mines been good for like 40 or 50k now.

 

Thank you I'll check that out

 

vibration is still there even in 4wd so im thinking its the drive line

 

Hi - any update on this. Got the same problem - added some Rough Country 1" spacers a few months back and now this noise / vibration thing has started. Going to get them removed but curious what I need the mechanic to do to undo any damage. Wish I'd never done the lift!

 

This is just one of those common problems with these trucks. Nothing to fret over. You can either take it to Toyota and they will replace the whole front diff like I did but the problem did come back slightly after about 9 months. Not nearly as bad as before but I will definitely be doing the ECGS bushing this summer when it gets a bit warmer in Chicago. My truck was still under powertrain warranty so it didn't cost me anything to get it done but now that its not under warranty I'm just going straight for the ECGS bushing.

 

I'd be curious if the "improvements" on the replacement diff will impact/prevent the installation of the ECGS bushing? If they modified the journal/bearing size, it might not fit the same.

 

When I took mine in, they didn't do the whole diff, just replaced with new model needle bearing. No issues in 2 years

 

Mine was the whole diff and I'm thinking if the problem came back slightly then they didn't address the exact problem with the new diff. But I guess you're right, the only way to find out is to tear into it.

I also haven't seen anyone mention anything about once they got the new diff they couldn't make the ECGS bushing work.

 

Way back when i was looking into this, pretty sure i figured out, the only thing different about the new diffs, were they had the new needle bearing. Once tacoma burnt through the old diffs in the turd gens, lol, they started putting the new diffs in them, with the new needle bearing. Least best i can remember. This probably all comes down to each plants allotment and so forth. I'm betting brand new ones off the line today, all have the new needle bearing. Earlier 3rd gens are probably hit and miss on whether you get the new or old needle bearing. I prefered having them just do the needle bearing, instead of ripping all my hard work apart to replace the diff, lol. I bet if you ask the right person/dealer, they'd just do the bearing. If you wanted that.

I really wasnt expecting the new needle bearing to be the answer and totally expecting to have have to do the bushing one day. But, i have over probably 75k on the new needle bearing and have had zero issues. My tire vibrate, but thats a different issue, lol.

 

Tards may have also got you an old diff, lol. Nice thing about just doing the needle bearing, you get to see its part #.

Bushing should work too, new is supposed to have new needle bearing.

May be able to track which you got by the part #'s, cant remember

 

I think I have the part numbers on the service record but I would have to dig around and find it. Either way seeing that I'm aiming at keeping this truck for the long haul I can justify taking the time to install the ECGS bearing that I have seen many recommend on here.

 

Same here. I'll do the same if mine ever starts humming again.

 

Just off the phone from the Toyota dealer in Sunnyvale (where I bought mine) - the part number he quoted came up with this in Amazon:

$172 Genuine Toyota 43570-04011 Axle Bearing Assembly, Front

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Toyota-43570-04011-Bearing-Assembly/dp/B00GKH7GVS

Amazon quite a but cheaper than the dealer's price. No surprise there then...!