Updated Needle Bearing, now Random Grinding

I replaced the needle bearing on my 05 taco, went pretty smooth. Now, i am getting a really bad grinding sound at total random when driving. It only lasts for a couple seconds then goes away, but when it happens it's pretty aggressive, scares the crap out of me. Aside from this the truck drives perfect and is silent. Seems to usually be driving straight, and can be going fast or slow. Some days it doesn't happen, other times it does.

My other other thought is that my brake cover was very slightly touching my rotor right after the job was done, and i had to bend it back a little which i thought was odd. I replaced the CV with a brand new (not reman) napa axle. Any thoughts.. seems like if i don't do something i will lose my wheel one day.

 

Check the rotor backing shield again. You can just go around it and pull it towards the center of the vehicle by hand. I've had this happen to me twice over the years

 

Just checked it and it's in the same place as before... also this random grinding is very different than the shield touching the rotor. Ill probably take the truck apart again soon and start digging but was hoping someone might know whats happening here.

 

Was the original needle bearing removed intact? As in, were any pieces broken off of it? Did you stuff some plastic into the diff prior to removal?

I did mine a few weeks ago. The tight tolerances on the ECGS removal tool required a punch to seat the removal bit. Unless very carefully done, you can end up breaking the lip of the needle bearing.

Not my picture, but notice the top left of the needle bearing.

 

Thats a great question to ask, because that definitely seems like the sound I'm getting... like something caught in the wheel bearing or in the diff... but no my bearing was in great shape when i pulled it out, and i didn't have any issues pulling it out either. I also changed my diff and xfer case fluid when i did the job, I'm considering draining the oil again to see if theres any shavings or chunks now....

 

If the old bearing looks good and no chunks are missing from the removal tool, I'd say you're safe.

Maybe something to do with the new bearing and the non-oem cv axle? Did you torque everything to spec? I remember reading someone having noise issues after an axle nut loosened up on him.

Good luck, keep us posted.

 

How did you torque the axle nut? Could you have overtightened and buggered the wheel bearing?

 

I think you have the answer here. Didn’t have a torque wrench when I did the job, so I tightened it with as much force as it took to remove it, which was alooooot. I found that my wheel has some play when I grab it at 6 and 12 and wiggle it. took it apart today and found that the cv is discolored a little from heat too. I bought a torque wrench today and when I put the axle but to 173lb it was a lot less than what I did originally.

So the question is could I have damaged the CV too? I’ll be getting a wheel bearing from bamatoy ASAP.

 

Ouch, I think you found your problem.

 

All I know is, I once replaced my wheel bearing and I’m pretty sure I torqued it to spec and still over torqued it and had to replace it a few months down the road.....

No, I don’t think you’ll have to replace the cv axle.

- but I am by no means a mechanic.