Bad Needle Bearing?

I noticed the leak this morning and took it to the dealer to see if it would be covered. (Driver side)

They told me that there was too much play in the CV causing the seal to go out. They said the entire differential would need replacement. They then stated that it was not covered due to the lift.

My question, seeing how it goes into 4wd just fine.. is it possible it’s just a bad needle bearing

https://youtu.be/Nfj8yNI4JdU

 

You don’t need a new diff. You could replace the seal and the solid ECGS bushing for less than $100.

 

Ecgs bushing and a new seal and your good to go. May as well do both sides.

Dealers avoid replacing the needle bearings because it doesn’t pay them as much as a whole diff would..

 

I’m pretty sure the needle bearing is only an issue on the drivers side.

 

Your correct. My bad.. Toyota just sends us diffs if it’s under warranty anymore.

 

My 2017 OR looked exactly like that after a lift. Just this last weekend I Installed one of the ECGS bushings and a new seal no more noise or movement as you show on the video. I’m sure you just need to install a bushing and a new seal. Good to go.

 

That does seem like a lot of play. That could be causing you to have a bad seal and thus oil leak. I don’t think the bushing and a seal will fix this.

The lift won’t cause this bit even if you replace the seal. The CV movement with just damage the new one.

 

I would take it to a gear shop for a rebuild, clamshell rebuilds aren't for Diy'ers.

It probably would have benefited from the ECGS bushing from day 1, I'm surprised you didnt have the vibes from your lift.

 

If I had a Facebook account I would post a video of mine that is so similar it isn’t funny. I drove around for about two months after the lift before being able to replace the stupid needle bearing with ECGS bushing, Mine wasn’t leaking oil it was just making noises around 40-45 mph flipping it into 4 hi it would stop making growling noises. The consensus on this site is to replace the bearing with a bushing I did and it works great. Hopefully you can pick the right solution and not have to keep revisiting a bad Toyota engineering issue. Good luck

 

I’d just replace it and see what happens. Worst case is you rebuild. Good meeting you tonight.

 

You as well thanks for the loaner kit

 

Anytime man. Glad I could help.