Diagnosing and replacing pinion bearings

I've had my truck almost a year and it has always made a noise decelerating from 40 mph to 28 mph. Kind of sucks since the majority of the city speed limits I drive on are from 30-40 mph and so its noticeable every time unless I'm blasting the stereo. Its embarrassing too. More a rattle than a growl. Checked fuel tank shroud, not touching driveshaft. Checked drive shaft by moving it up and down and side to side to check for play and there was none. I guess you can adjust play/pre-load by tightening the nut but since everything is snug guess its not needed. Haven't tried taking off driveshaft from diff yoke, lifting tires off ground and spinning them to see if I hear anything. When replacing u-joints i didn't notice anything. Can't imagine it being anything else. Replaced carrier shaft bearing and u joints, no change. Replaced front wheel bearings, no change. Rear wheel bearings show no sign of leaking so they should be good. Can't imagine it being transfer case.

I'm at the point where if its the pinion bearings I will have Toyota do it. I'm not familiar with disassembling third members and replacing the pinion bearing in there. I believe the other one is accessible without taking third member out, just the yoke and seals and stuff. I have this EasyCare extended warranty and I'm not sure if I should use it on this. No idea on how much Toyota will charge for replacing they find that this is the issue. I believe that I will have to pay out of pocket just for them to inspect it before I can even make a claim with EasyCare and then I have to see if the work is even worth it after paying a deductible. No idea on how warranties work.

 

So when I took my truck into the dealer ship for leaf spring recall inspection and they deduced the noise was from the leaf springs! I think I'm the only one with this diagnosis but if it gets me new leafs for free I'm not complaining. Also they found my timing cover was leaking so they suggested that get fixed. Happy they found that and that my EasyCare warranty will cover the work, all I have to pay is $250 deductible for a $1000 job. Anyone know what all is included in replacing timing cover gasket? They mentioned the valve cover gaskets so I guess those are changed too, anything else they will probably replace or check?

 

I have a 4 banger, don't know much about the v6 but how about the water pump and serp belts?

 

I took my truck in today for the spiral cable recall and was told I also fall under the leaf spring recall which they ordered.

 

Well been driving about 2 months after having leafs replaced and maybe a day or two after they replaced it the same noise happens while accelerating from about 35-45mph, instead of decelerating. Then around 50 mph i feel vibration, which I'm not sure is related. Gonna have to take it back to be checked again.