'16-'18 Front Differential Cyclical Groaning/Grinding Noise TSB

Damn, this is a very simple TSB.

Is a sound present? Yes? Replace front differential.

 

How many miles are people starting to see this problem?? I have about 4,000 on my 17’. Just curious. I had the same issue with my 08 Tundra as far as the cyclical vibration. I replaced needle bearing on that with the ecgs bushing and totally eliminated the problem.

 

Is there a VIN range for this? Just scheduled a front locker install...

 

I have 15k on mine with 2.5 + lift haven't exp this problem.

 

I am going to the Toyota dealership tomorrow after work to get the needle bearing done as well as bring up the front diff replacement. I will keep everyone posted about what happens.

 

Toyota of Olympia did mine. Knew exactly what the issues were and had the part in stock.

 

jezus a whole diff for all of a 60 dollar part.

I wouldnt want toyota touching my whole front driveline. FYI the TSB (different than this) for the new needle bearing part is still a shitty needle bearing.

Just do it right the first time, if you have the front diff noise, ECGS needle bearing and call it good. Bout and hour of time with the right tools. Had mine in for 60k vibe free miles.

 

Why would Toyota start changing the whole front diff for just that needle bearing? They haven’t done that in the past they just change the needle bearing. There’s something a lot more going on here than just a needle bearing change

 

I just looked up the part # it is $2089.00.....so I'm going to say it is definitely the whole diff assembly.

 

I was told the new needle bearing is a different part number than the old one so is it the same part? Or do you think the new diff and new needle bearing are designed in a way that you wont need the ECGS bushing fix?

 

Id be willing to bet its because so many techs were messing up the needle bearing / seal replacement of the original TSB from back in the 2nd gen days (because if you dont pay attention you can make it so things leak real easy) so they just said eff it we are shipping them a fully assembled diff. i HIGHLY HIGHLY doubt they did anything internal to change things other than the updated TSB needle bearing of the past.

Its the same exact principal as to why they replace a full rear driveshaft for u joint failures, because they dont trust their techs to do it proper / dont supply dealerships with driveshaft balancing machines if a tech put it back together 180* off.

the new needle bearing is a different part number with slightly tighter tolerances / different specs. That stated, the ECGS bushing is still superior, its longer which is the biggest thing to support that front CV cup properly.


Seriously guys, save yourself the hassle of dealing with the dealership and just do it right the first time if you have the issue.

 

following

 

I would not encourage anybody to do it themselves until we know for sure what’s happening with this new replacement third member. Everybody has an opinion but nobody has been proven correct yet so we’re all still guessing at this point. Having said that I did the bushing on mine and I’m going to be pissed if it’s a nice new updated third member that I will not be able to get now

 

Agreed. Dont do it and let toyota replace ur front diff. It'll make them source something out and get this fix once and for all.

 

I wonder if this will ever become applicable to the 5th Gen T4R

 

No problems, just curious.

 

to each their own. I hate letting toyota tech scum touch my truck especially in this case when you KNOW for 100% certainty that an ECGS bushing will fix the issue.

Lets see. Coordinate someone to follow you to toyota dealership, drop your truck off, leave it with unknown people all day, get a ride back to dealership (assuming they finished a full diff replacement in a day)... to possibly have the issue fixed? I am 100% positive that they are not using a longer needle bearing or a bushing for the driver side CV. So why even bother with a fix that may or may not solve the issue.

60 bucks, an hour or two in your garage and a 6 pack of beer for a 100% fix seems like a lot better fix than a maybe.

 

You know you’ll need at least a 12 of beer

 

I mean, if we want the job to get done quick. 1. beer before while gathering tools. 1 beer during. then the rest after. haha. I actually made a puller tool that worked baller. Didnt even have to replace the seal, and its been 60ish k miles without issue.

 

So I'm going to give it a shot. Test drove with manager and verified vibration. Scheduled for replacement Wednesday.