2017 Tacoma Excessive axle play

Hey guys, I've been chasing a steering shake and cab vibration since the purchase of my 2017 Tacoma TRD Sport. It now has 4,900 miles with the same issues.

The truck has stock suspension, other than wheels/tires and cosmetic stuff it's completely stock.

Upon looking things over today I noticed what I believe is excess play in the drivers side front axle where it goes into the transmission (transfer case?). This can definitely cause some vibrations but I'm not sure whats considered normal.

What do ya'll think? Excessive? Normal?

The first 2 videos are drivers side, the 3rd video is passenger side which doesn't have nearly as much play.

I have my 5k service soon and will bring it up. Already took it once to the Dealer for vibrations and they said they couldn't feel it...until I took the manager out for a ride and immediately felt it. Said to bring the vehicle back, haven't yet.

https://vimeo.com/226987168/description

https://vimeo.com/226986905

https://vimeo.com/226987332

 

Working on uploading videos, I see they didn't work..

Edit: videos up!

 

Totally normal for this application , you can change the bushing on the driver side with aftermarket which will make it nice and tight. But they're all that way from the factory my 2017 SR is the same

 

Did you have a vibration as well and was only the drivers side is affected?

Happen to have a link or how-to for install?

 

What a pay in the ass to have to do to my brand new $40k truck...

There is no remedy the Dealer can do?

 

Yes it was on the driver side only and It will go away soon as you click into four-wheel-drive. I didn't realize how common of a problem this was on Toyotas it has something to do with the machining process on the side gear. It's terrible

 

Not really.
They might replace the needle bearing, which is only a symtptom.

Vibe goes away in 4wd?

 

I've only tried once but it did not seem to go away or change at all in 4WD.

 

Agree that is sloppy. I would eliminate the possibility of a bad tire or balance first before going down this path.

 

The steering shake and cab vibration was present on my stock wheels, and aftermarket wheels with A/T tires (although seems worse with the aftermarket). I had the aftermarket wheels re-balanced and the issue is still present. It's also not constant, at some points (very rarely) the steering wheel has no shake/vibration.

Going to swap back to the stock tires before my 5K service so they can't try to tell me it's my aftermarket wheels....again..

My original threads outlining the vibrations with videos: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/odd-vibrations-2017-tacoma-trd-sport.496393/

 

I thought my needle bearing was the culprit of some of my vibes as well and had a similar amount of play in the front diff as you show in your video. In the end, the bearing was considered "normal" for the amount of play present but they DID find that my driver's side rear drum was warped and was the cause of that specific vibration. Even admitted it was likely b/c service had overtightened...

I also couldn't make it go away in 4WD which made me skeptical the needle bearing was the issue. After replacing the drums, those vibrations were reduced.... but of course that was one of several sources of vibes for me... In this case, I actually do agree w/ Toyota (at least for a non-lifted vehicle). My vibes are probably 80% gone now (along w/ CKP, MAF clean, etc.,) and I'm optimistic about this mass damper on the exhaust to get it down even more.

It's like playing a puzzle game with this thing

Do you feel any stuttering when you apply your brakes hard (esp. if stopping while going downhill)?

 

That play looks pretty normal. Though it is certainly possible, I doubt the vibration is from that

 

As mentioned before, that's been a long-time Toyota truck issue. My 95 Tacoma and 04 4Runner both did it. The ECGS bushing will eliminate that play and is an easy fix.

I'll loan you the bearing puller tool if you pay shipping. That'll save you about $60.

 

I do not recall having any shuddering, like warped rotors, on hard braking. Will give it a try on lunch to confirm.

It really is like playing a puzzle game, lol. The shaking steering wheel and vibrations drive me nuts. At points when I put my head against the headrest it literally jiggles my cheeks, and If I have sunglasses on I can see the glasses moving. Again it's not constant, there is time where I can put my head back and it's smooth.

I'll admit I am quite picky, my wife and friends poke fun at me for it, but comeon', my brand new truck that I paid a large amount of money for should not have a shaking steering wheel and cab, enough to cause discomfort.

 

I greatly appreciate that offer and will keep it in mind if that's the route I go. I would hate to tear that deep into my new truck though, only to have that not be what's causing issue and/or then have Toyota deny warranty later on because I replaced that part.

 

Took the truck in yesterday for my 5k service and the dealer deemed the excessive axle play as "normal", like they do for any issue with these trucks.

 

Just do the ECGS Bushing. I leveled my truck and did the Bushing and I swear it drives much smoother than stock

 

That's because it is normal

 

My vehicle is stock suspension though, not sure it would help but I'm not against it. Just seems like a lot of work to do on a brand new truck.