2019 Tacoma 4x4 vibration in front driveline

My Tacoma has developed a strange vibration in the front driveline. What’s strange about it, is the cadence at which it occurs. It’s not noticeable until you get to about 30-35 mph and is most noticeable at about 40mph then by 50mph it’s not noticeable. It happens regardless of the gear it’s in or the rpm’s or accelerating or coasting. The vibration doesn’t occur with every rotation of the wheels, but maybe every 20th rotation. If I put it in 4 high it stops. I did drain the front differential and replace with amsoil 75w90 but this did not help. I did notice a little more metal shavings on the magnet than what I thought would be normal but I’m not sure if the fluid has been changed since new. The fluid looked pretty good, (not too dirty) The truck has 89,xxx miles on it and I purchased it with 74,xxx The vibration started within the last 1000 miles and has seemed to have gotten worse. When I first bought it, I installed a 2/3 lift and put aftermarket wheels and bigger tires on it. Has anyone had a similar vibration or can someone tell me what it might be? Thanks

 

Sounds like you may benefit from swapping the needle bearing in the front dif for the ECGS clamshell bushing. There’sa good amount of info here on TW about that process. I’ll try to find a link for you

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/needle-bearing-yes-replace-it-ecgs.716338/

 

Welcome aboard!

That is a lot of good details. What you need to search for is “ECGS bushing” (East coast gear supply is the company). You have precisely demonstrated that stock needle bearing failure. Vibration in the front, often after lift, goes away in 4hi.

Nothing catastrophic, or that difficult/expensive. If you like wrenching give it a try yourself. Here are a few tips if you try it. Dust off is great for freezing bushings, and a cable choker helps a lot to pop out the CV.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ecgs-bushing-install-help.735498/#post-26188014
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lift-kit-question….721793/#post-25700008

 

I’m glad I posted my question here because I was going to try replacing the cv axle. I will purchase the bushing to replace the needle bearing. Will a pilot bearing puller be able to remove the old needle bearing or should I purchase the special tool?

 

Just ordered the bushing, seal and removal tool from ECGS, should be here tomorrow. Thanks for the help guys!

 

Im interested in how the install goes and did the bad vibes go away. Thx.

 

Other than having trouble getting the cv axle out of the differential, it went well. Yes the vibration went away.

 

How bad are these vibrations that people experience? I feel a small vibration in the steering wheel on my 2020 Sport with 2” lift, but nothing to really get my attention. I’m wondering if I should just replace it regardless. I mean should the front end be completely smooth and even the slightest bit of vibration free? Just trying to gauge it.

 

All I can tell you is the way mine started acting a few weeks after I installed the lift. You can read my original post to help understand what I was experiencing. Did you install your lift or did you purchase it already installed?

 

I purchased my Taco used and it came with a basic 2/1 spacer block that I’m going to replace soon with Eibach coils etc. I guess I’ll have the ECGS bushing installed as part of the upgrade.