Needle bearing failure on newer 3rd gen?

Definitely.

When unlocked, the CVs, diff carrier, and spiders are not moving, so no needle bearing vibes.

When locked and in 4wd, they are all moving together. This is why the vibes go away when we do the 4Hi test.

For the times when you are locked in 2Hi, that will be much less often than stock. Essentially nothing to worry about in my mind?


Of course, both does make sense since the left shaft would be pulled anyway.

 

I did mine when lifting as well. $60 for the bushing, $8 for the seal, and I made a removal tool. I also didn't replace the seal as it looked fine and I only had like 18k on it. I used a couple of sockets to space the removal off the diff so it didn't smash the seal edge when pulling the bearing.

 

Just curious, how bad or rough are the vibes that indicate a need for replacing the needle bearing with the ecgs bushing?

 

I would say any noticeable vibes that go away in 4wd. Metal parts floating in a rotating gear assembly could get costly. There are some who replace it and find needles missing.

 

I'm regearing a diff now that this has happened

 

That's a big no for me. I'm didn't want anything to do with that mess. Probably best case is sheared teeth.

 

Yep, and when the dealer actually orders the correct shit I hope to get my front diff replaced!

@Texoma , here is the vid I used to get the ball rolling on a warranty repair for this annoying vibe (techs already tried road force balance X 4 and rear driveshaft replacement). What do you think:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAQIwxVasw4

 

Mine pooped the bed within a week of lifting my 19. I didn't do it during the lift because I was trying to knock it all out in a day and figured I'd hope and pray it would last and alas... Was being lazy and had the local 4x4 shop replace it with the ECGS bushing and it's been peachy keen ever since.

 

I lifted my 17' and going on the first test drive after lifting it the needle bearing was bad, replaced it with the ECGS bushing and had the dealer do it, 70K miles later (3yr/50K warranty) its bad again. Here goes number two.

 

Mine never truly failed but did vibrate after lifting but I installed the bushing as a precaution.

 

I just read about people replacing this bushing and was curious if this is for 4x4 models only? I have a 2022 SR5, should I be utilizing a ECG bushing for a 2wd? I have some eibach pro 2.0’s waiting to be installed

 

Basically it helps guide and rotate the driver side axle shaft where it goes into the differential so you don't have anything to worry about being that you have a 2wd.

 

I've got what sounds like a driver's side wheel bearing starting to go (consistent low hum over ~40mph) on my 2019 (55k miles w/ ~3k miles on a 2" icon lift) but now concerned it may be the needle bearing. What's the appropriate test other than pulling the CV to determine which one it is?

 

Drive to where it makes noise, engage 4hi, if noise goes away, it's needle bearing.

 

does this happen on stock trucks or is this just something that happens when you add a lift? have they updated the bearing on newer models?

 

It wasn't 'failed' as in coming apart, but there were subtle vibes on my stock suspension from basically new. I did swap in a bushing before I added a slight lift at 55k. Been smoooth since.

$86 Yukon CV Axle Bushing for Front Toyota 8" with Clamshell Design

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P83HNKC

 

interesting. i'm on my second 3rd gen taco and i've yet to experience this issue.

 

I'm not surprised. It is a random problem, esp stock. I do know someone that had horrible vibes on his second 3rd Gen. The dealer swapped the entire diff.


If you feel it, then there's a reason to do this simple mod. If you don't, be happy.

 

I’m at 36k on a 2019 running 35s. No issues yet…but I’m sure it’s coming.

 

I have a 2020 that I put bilstein 5100 1.5" lift at 5k miles. And vibrations started shortly after. A loud cyclical vibration that happened at 40+ mph on certain roads. I replaced it at 16k miles and wish I had done it sooner.