Needle bearing? Cv axle play. Help

I’ve been searching around and Seeing what people have to say about this issue, my driver side cv seems to have a good amount of play that I’m not sure is normal or not. Some people are saying there’s a serious vibration involved but I haven’t really noticed a vibration at all if anything there is a slight vibe but nothing like some described. I have no leaks and I’m lifted 5th notch on 5100s stock coils. I’m mechanically inclined to do the ECGS bearing and replace the seals. But if I don’t have to do that I rather not seeing as I don’t notice anything serious other than the amount of play is in the cv axle, and a very slight vibration that could also be my tires? With this slight vibration it will go away in 4x4 from what I can tell. Now is this something that needs to be repaired immediately am I gonna damage something like the diff more. (265/75/16 falken wild peaks at3w). I would just like anyone’s opinions on this, it’s my first 4x4 Toyota so want her to be alright.

Here’s a link to the video of the play

https://youtu.be/yMAsQHxktDQ

 

The in/out is due to the way the CV stub is held in the diff. Not much to do about that. The up/down would be due to the needle bearing. Which would be tightened up with the ECGS bushing.

Its not a bad job, give yourself a day some weekend and you can knock it out. Easier with a helper when it comes to pulling the CV, those can be tricky sometimes.

May as well drain all the old gear oil out while youre there too. A 35mm socket is needed for the axle nut.

Theres plenty of threads about it on here. You can even find people willing to loan out their puller tool to save on that cost

 

shoot yeah looks like just gotta suck it up and do it then. Living in Hawaii so might take some time for the part to come in. Think it can wait a little? Thank you for the advice

 

Yeah, Ive seen some pretty loose ones before they were changed. Also never heard of anything catastrophically failing due to bad needle bearing

 

I just did the diff oil 1000 miles ago but I’ll probably do it again as it was pretty flaky had some gunk on the plug. But I figured previous owner never did it as it was pretty foul 100k miles. Well this is good news I thought it was something more serious needle bearing isn’t a difficult job I’m just lazy and it’s cold haha

 

Cold? In Hawaii!?! You should stop by Maine this time of year

 

Hahaha 60s is freezing for us! Gets to about 55 where I’m at On top of the rain. I’d die in Maine. Been in snow once and never again

 

I wouldn't worry about it. I drove mine for a long time with vibes coming from the diff and play like you show also wit h5100s at the max height. You will probably be surprised at how much play there still is even with the ECGS bushing. My recommendation is buy the bushing so you have it, but wait till you want to change the diff oil again or until the vibrations get worse.

Disclaimer: I just replaced mine a couple weeks ago but haven't driven enough to notice a difference yet.

 

I feel like I’m only feeling the vibration now because I’m specifically paying attention to it ya know?? Driving me up the wall. One thing after another on these

 

I freaked out about all the play too, but when I changed it to the ECGS bushing I was surprised there is still significant play even though it's much less. I'm surprised these things don't vibrate normally with all that play to be honest. I noticed the vibrations start after forgetting to go back to 2wd after pulling a boat out of the water. When I parked, the wind up in the diff/t-case rebounded and scared me. I have since probably driven 30k miles with no issue beyond the vibes. I also have MT tires so maybe they drown out some of the noise or harmonize with it...who knows.