1st Gen 4x4 Front Diff Bearing Vibration

Well, looks like I'm gonna need the ECGS bearing. I just ran the 4H test and my vibes went away. It's just weird that lifting the rear caused this to happen...

 

Does anyone have an already modified removal tool to sell?

 

Reporting on my experience:
2002 3.4 Ext cab; Stock (specifically no lift)
Had the whirrrling, friction/ vibration in the gas pedal and steering wheel most noticeably at 25-35mph. Heavy loading left turns made even more noise, which made me think it was the FP wheel bearing (again). No wheel movement when off the ground suggested the wheel bearing was OK.
4-Hi made 90% of the noise and vibration go away.
Replaced the stock needle bearing with the ECGS bushing.
Fixed the issues mentioned above.

 

How many miles are on your guy's trucks when you start getting these problems? Is there a first gen how to video out there? I just started getting this vibration, goes away in 4wd. @152,000 miles. I've had a 2.5" lift on it for about 25k miles now.

 

My truck has 187K on it.

Here's a good video on this process (it was done on a 3rd gen 4Runner, but it's basically identical to our 1st gens):

 

Noticeable effects around 135-140k miles, fixed at 145k.

 

My previous double cab had around 115k-120k miles but it only started after I installed a lift kit. On my extra cab I never had this issue. Even after lifting it with the same exact kit...it also has just under 230k miles now.

 

Anyone know if there first gen and second gen bearing puller is different? Anyone selling a first gen one if so?

 

Does anyone have an already modified removal tool to sell?

 

Does anyone have a modified ECGS bearing removal tool for sale?

 

I'm about to order a ECGS Bushing to replace my needle bearing since after leveling the truck the vibration started. Question for other who had this issue. When I jack the front tires off the ground and spin the driver side tire I can hear a very slight click/bump in the front diff. Not sure if its the needle bearing making the noise. My drives side axle will move up and down like 1/8''. Anyone else have this click/bump feeling from the worn needle bearing? I might pop the front axle out and spin the diff and see if it still does it.

 

Vibes after lifting generally are not from the diff bearing. If your bearing was bad the vibe would have been there before the lift was installed.

 

Looking for the modified tool if anyone has one for sale. My zip is 93446

 

I have a 99 Tacoma. I believe that is a 1st Gen. Mine seems to be the right side bearing as I checked it with a pry bar on the cv housing and there was a lot of movement as well as a fluid leak at that point. I can seem to find and information on that side. The outer housing bearing or More. I've taken it apart to where the bearing retainer clip is. Can I just remove the clip and slide the bearing out? The bearing I'm seeing is not a needle bearing. I see the needle bearing and bushing now. It is in the center back further inside. I was looking at the big bearing right behind the seal. Does that one need to be replaced?

 

any chance you would have some contact info for who to call to order? Maybe a web site I can go check it out? .I did find the web site. Still wondering if the large bearing behind the Hog ring... need to be replace?

 

East Coast Gear Supply
https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/c-1207128-toyota-clamshell-bushings-96-04-tacoma.html

 

Anyone have the removal tool they’d like to sell?

 

I've had the exact same pulsing vibration while driving ever since buying my truck with 138k miles. It's bone stock, no lift or anything special. Went for a drive today and the vibration went away in 4Hi. Got underneath and there's a significant amount of play/slop where the driver's side CV enters the front diff as well as diff fluid leaking from that area. I think the needle bearing and seal are both bad as others have experienced. I'm going to order the ECGS bushing and new seal soon and attempt to put them in myself. Does anyone have a modified removal tool they'd like to pass on? I'd greatly appreciate it, thanks!

 

Anyone have the modified tool they'd like to sell? Bueller...Bueller....

 

Yeah man, I got one up for grabs.