CV shaft, front diff or bearings again?

Since approx. 6 month ago I began to notice a growling feel between 15~25 Mph on the front end of my 2007 Tacoma 4WD. Additionally after 35Mph a humming is also noticed. This happens in 2WD as well as 4WD. I replaced both front wheel bearings as my first option but the problem did not dissapeared. To this day the symptoms continue the same and I'm wondering if the CV shaft could be the real problem, I have removed the calipers to turn the hubs by hand but nothing stand out, both sides spin without any noticeable growl or play, I should mention that my truck was leveled using Bilstein 5100 shocks sat at 1.75" and my tires are Hankook 265-75-16 ATM RF10. I have even tied the front driveshaft to eliminate it as the problems (so neither the front drive shaft or the front differential rotates) but no difference in the result. I will appreciate any hints on additional troubleshooting or if this symptoms could in fact indicate the CV joints may be bad.

 

Sounds like the infamous needle bearing problem.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...nt-differential-bearing-vibration-thread.html

 

Well, I have read this issue with the needle bearings and was considering that in fact it may be my problem, but in my case the problems (both growling between 15~25 and howling over 35 mph) happens even in 4WD! I understood that the problem should dissaperaed when shifting into 4WD but mine doesn't.

 

Try grabbing the inboard (differential end) of your drivers side half shaft and give it a good wiggle. If you see that there seems to be a lot of play with the CV wiggling back and fourth a lot you probably need to replace that needle bearing with the East Coast Gear Supply bushing.

 

Thanks for the feedback. In fact, I did that tests and both sides have, the driver's side has a lot more play than the passenger side inboard side but since neither side is leaking diff. oil I thougth it was normal. Does the front diff have to be removed from the truck to change that needle bearing? Is that bushing an alternative to the bearing? Where do I buy it?

 

Well, went to a Toyota Service shop near my home in PR and explain the problem I have been experiencing and what have been done (2 pairs of new wheel bearings in less than a year), even mentioned the possible issue with the front differential, they test drive the truck and came back pointing at the front wheel bearings and the hubs (again?). I mentioned again that the bearings were not more than 6 months old but they insisted that if the hubs were not changed at that time then there is the issue, not the differential, not the CV shafts. Well I trust their experience and knowledge and after $800 dollars in parts and labor, the problem contiues. Called back but they insisted the problem was corrected (maybe a problem they noticed in a short test drive that I have not noticed or experienced in 6 or 7 months!) I will take the truck back to them in a couple of days but from there response when I called back to mention that the problem was not fixed I'm not expecting any help other than maybe telling me that another part is bad and will cost an additional $800. Finally know why they are called stealership. I think will drive this truck untill whatever is wrong just fall off!

 

Had the same issue and it was my cv joints. Only driver side was bad but replaced both. The cause was the owner before me put a leveling kit on but didn't put the lowering kit for the diff on so the angle was bad and wore out the cv.

 

The Toyota service shop I went now tells me the tires are cupped and may be the problem (the mechanic did confirm the growl and humm is still there but insist the wheel baering were also bad!) Well, I will try to find some different tires to rule out their version and if its not the problem I will go ahead with changing the cv shafts but was thinking first to just get a couple of bad cv shafts from a junkyard and use the cv ends (inner & outer) to basically convert my truck to prerunner and confirm that it is the CV shafts or the diff.

 

Just swap the front to the back and the backs to the front.

 

Did it this last weekend. Not only front to back but the tires were inverted within each wheel as well. Didn't change the growl and humm although I can't specify if it is now more evident in the rear. Have to mention that all 4 tires have noticeable irregular wear patterns in the outside shoulders (for every one or two lugs there's one that looks and feels lower with more wear, like NNnNnNN, and that's on both sides of the tires). I just hope to get a borrowed set of tires soon so I can discard the tires as the problem and just go ahead and work with the CV shafts.

 

Equal wear on both edges of a tire indicates under-inflation. If it is just on one edge of a tire it is improper camber alignment.

 

Yep, maybe the fact that I run these tires at around 26 psi to reduce the harsh ride may cause the problem with the uneven wear. What I'm trying to confirm is if the tires with that uneven wear they have may be the reason of the problem I'm experiencing since several months(that's the theory of the Toyota technician after changing the bearings didn't solve the problem). I have replaced the front wheel bearings (based on mechanics diagnostics) 2 times already, almost $1200! but the problem is still there and before going ahead and change the CV shafts (maybe another $400?) I need to rule the tires out as the problem.

 

What was the problem? I'm experiencing the same deal...5 spd 4wd 1995, manual lock in's, no mods...right fwd side hum
(I have a vibration coming from passenger side front end. It was verified (without taking anythng apart, that it is not my wheel bearing) Was only told there is no wobble and feels tight. I do not get any abnormal sound when turning. What I do get, is a sound like the engine is reving when applying throttle, perhaps going above 40 ish. Also when down shifting. When rolling out to a stop, in gear or not, it rolls to a stop with this vive, as though the tire vibrating. So its when there is possitive pressure being put on the drive train, or when rolling out to a stop. Almost a grinding sound, yet to a squeeling metal sound. Verified not the clutch, tranny or transfer case, or rear diff....by reputable xmission guy. No difference if in 4wd or not. You can run down the road and turn off truck and there is this slight vibe and this same reving type sound, in neutral or not. Verified alignment and tires in balance. If it is the bearing, thn it'd require weight on wheels, for the sound is not there on a lift, with wheels turning. It's like I'll need something to fall apart, in order to find it and not wanting to be stranded in order to find out. Any thoughts? Thx, DM and sorry if I highjacked your thread. Just figured you or someone may know.)

 

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Curious to see what you find out.
I have the exact same symptoms but haven't done anything yet... trying to figure out where to start.
I thought possibly tires as i have had trouble getting my duratacs balanced properly. It sounds more like a bearing though but doesn't change turning right or left ...also doesnt change in 4wd.

 

I'll be leaning towards cv shaft. Bugs me I or anyone else can't pinpoint this. (people I've personally visited) Makes no difference if in 4wd or no, nor if turns are made. Same sound. What does stay consistant, is the sound and when it occurs. Positive pressure on drivetrain, whether slowing down, or speeding up, the sound is there. When taking out of gear and clutch out...sound is there, but sort of goes away gradually. The only thing turning is the wheel bearing and cv shaft and bearing inside front diff. connecting cv shaft. Will keep updated. I'm not about to rip and tear and most likely will not be the guy to repair. Is not brake rotor or pads.

 

Warmed to 40 and still the sound. My shop guy said he thought my '95 may have tapered bearings and if the case, they would have felt tight to his pulling around on the wheel, but could still be pitted causing my issue. Odd the sound/vibe is not present at higher speeds (unless you mash the gas then the high hum sound) When rolling out to a coast, in gear or not as if bumping on those tiny bump strips you hit when you get near the edge of the road. Quite a vibration and felt in feet and slightly in steering wheel. Mystery.

 

Replaced just the front tires with borrowed one's and the growling and humming almost completely disappeared. The remaining noise was clearly coming from the rear. In my case all 4 tires are cupped/scalloped on both shouders probably because I kept them at 26psi to soften the ride. I'm still running the same tires but since I tested/confirmed the issue is the tires I will just wear them out before replacing them.

 

Thanks, that's good to know.
That just might be my problem as well...going to take a closer look at my tires. They've definitely gotten louder as they wore.
Checked for play/roughness in front wheel bearings last week and they seem fine.

 

Center bearing was shot and also found rear u-joint slightly binding in spots. Repaired both at home and no more noise/vibe/hum.
Went with Dorman center bearing and Moog u-joint...both at Advance Auto. Total under $80. DM

 

I've got a 2007 tacoma with 140,000 km I replaced the front right wheel bearing and there still is a humming noise when I drive at any speed, until I turn left and then it goes away. I read all your guys problems and I'm going to rotate my tires and let you know if that solves the problem I hope you're right.