Excessive play in the carrier bearing?

Seems pretty excessive to me, but I've never checked it before. Angle doesn't seem too bad. Do I need a spacer? Have about a 3" lift in the rear. Surprisingly, I'm not getting any crazy vibrations.

Also for a replacement, which Spicer part is better? Both are about the same price. Or should I go OEM? About 3x the price for OEM, which I hear is Spicer anyway. There is also Timkin, which is a little more than the Spicer.

DANA 252117501X Spicer Select

DANA

$100 2117501X Spicer 211750-1X Center Bearing Compatible with Select Toyota Models 1995-2021

2117501X Spicer

 

That's not too bad. It's a hollow rubber donut so it's gonna have some give, that's it's job. A spacer wouldn't hurt.

I'm pretty sure spicer is oem, it has the Toyota symbol stamped in the donut. I used the non select part number. The select is probably the same thing with a upcharge.

 

Its really hard to tell if these are bad until they get on their last leg....

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ration-between-35-45mph.784873/#post-28085101

 

I would be leary of knockoffs.....even spicers.....
might want to bite the bullet and find a real toyota dealer for this item....

 

You didn't mention year but this is what most use for 02-04.

$100 Spicer 211750-1X Center Bearing Compatible with Select Toyota Models 1995-2021

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GAPFD2E

You'll also need a new stake nut. Shouldn't re-use them. Local toyota parts dept should have them.
P/N 9017918009

If you haven't already seen it, there is a handy write-up in the stickies section -
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-replacing-carrier-bearing.260283/

 

Yours isn't bad enough to warrant replacement. I've seen them a lot worse and the customer didn't know it until I showed them while doing other work. Keep an eye on it, and if you notice a driveline vibration when driving then it may be time. It's the rubber that generally wears out before the bearing goes bad. Buy OEM. I don't say that on many parts but for whatever reason the aftermarket ones have issues. Some say Spicer makes the OEM part for Toyota but when I ask where they got that info they said "they heard...". There is a top and bottom, front and back orientation, so observe that when the time comes. OEM comes pre-packed with grease. And as another posted, replace the locking nut also. And last, there may be thin washers/shims stuck to the inner race on the old bearing, so be sure to transfer.