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Drivetrain Vibration

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by ToolEng, Jan 27, 2019.

  1. Jan 27, 2019 at 5:17 PM
    #1
    ToolEng

    ToolEng [OP] Member

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    I recently purchased a new 2018 Off Road Tacoma and there is vibration in the drivetrain. It's hardly noticeable, but it's there. When I engage the four wheel drive the vibration seems to go away. I took the truck back to the dealership and they kept it for eight weeks trying to determine the cause. They finally told me that the vibration was characteristic of the Tacoma 4X4s. Has anyone else experienced this vibration?
     
    Boghog1 likes this.
  2. Jan 27, 2019 at 5:24 PM
    #2
    kbp810

    kbp810 Well-Known Member

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    Any lift? If it goes away in 4wd, that often points to the needle bearing; the long term fix for which is to replace with the ECGS bushing (google Tacoma ECGS bushing for more info).
     
  3. Jan 27, 2019 at 5:30 PM
    #3
    VaToy

    VaToy Life Long Member

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    I lifted my 18 a little and didn't even want the hassle of that damn needle bearing, ECGS clamshell bushing was done. No issues and no worries, get er done.
     
  4. Jan 27, 2019 at 5:31 PM
    #4
    Lt. Dangle

    Lt. Dangle RIP @stun gun 2016-2020

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    8 weeks?

    Seriously?
     
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  5. Jan 27, 2019 at 5:34 PM
    #5
    Lt. Dangle

    Lt. Dangle RIP @stun gun 2016-2020

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    His tag says dealer installed lift so...

    ECGS bearng is calling his name. There is even a tsb for the needle bearing... So either OP took his truck to the world's most incompetent dealer (8 weeks lol), or OP is fibbing.
     
    JoeCOVA and kbp810[QUOTED] like this.
  6. Jan 27, 2019 at 5:40 PM
    #6
    kbp810

    kbp810 Well-Known Member

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    Totally missed that :facepalm:

    @ToolEng time to do the ECGS bushing.
     
    Lt. Dangle[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Jan 27, 2019 at 5:42 PM
    #7
    Lt. Dangle

    Lt. Dangle RIP @stun gun 2016-2020

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    It's ok. I almost never look there myself. I wasn't trying to sound like I was being a smart ass to you, just pointing out that you probably answered the question correctly without knowing it.
     
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  8. Jan 27, 2019 at 5:44 PM
    #8
    JoeCOVA

    JoeCOVA Well-Known Member

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    Def ECGS. Dealer needs to add the bushing. If it's a dealer lift I would try to get them to replace the bushing at no cost.
     
  9. Jan 27, 2019 at 5:47 PM
    #9
    ToolEng

    ToolEng [OP] Member

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    Thanks for the information. Yeah, eight weeks is ridiculous. I'll look into bushing.
     
  10. Jan 28, 2019 at 1:49 PM
    #10
    ToolEng

    ToolEng [OP] Member

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    One more question guys - What's the life span of the ecgs bushing? Is this something that will need to be replaced frequently? It seems to me that any torque that would trash the bearing will wear the bushing also. At this point I'm wondering if I should have bought the truck to begin with. This is my 5th Toyota 4X4. I still own a 1987 4X4 Access Cab with 369,000 miles, which is why I drive Toyotas. Never any issues with the first four trucks.
     
  11. Jan 28, 2019 at 4:05 PM
    #11
    kbp810

    kbp810 Well-Known Member

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    It shouldn't need to be replaced again for a very, very, long time. The difference is that the stock one is a roller needle bearing... once you lift, the angle of the axles puts additional side load on it that can cause it to fail prematurely. Its actually fairly fragile, mine fell to pieces as I was pulling it out. The ecgs bushing is a much more stout and solid piece (being a bushing instead of a needle bearing). Fyi - this was common in both 2nd and 3rd gen tacomas, this isn't some new 3rd gen thing.
     
  12. Jan 28, 2019 at 4:23 PM
    #12
    JNG

    JNG Shitposter extraordinaire

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    8 weeks? WTF?
     
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  13. Jan 28, 2019 at 5:07 PM
    #13
    ToolEng

    ToolEng [OP] Member

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    Good to know. I appreciate the information. The ECGS bushing will be a high priority.
     
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  14. Jan 28, 2019 at 5:19 PM
    #14
    Hollandhunter85

    Hollandhunter85 Active Member

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    The ecgs bushing should be good for the life of the truck. An it is a sure fire fix in situations like yours. I have done it to 4 tacomas. It works. But since urs was lifted from the dealer i would be forced to try and make them fix it. They could either replace my stock needle bearing every time it failed or install the ecgs on the dime. Sad a man buys a truck lifted from dealer and pays way up there for it and they arent prepared to fix this very common issue with tacoma trucks. What i mean is if you install the ecgs on your own and they find out about it they could be asses and void your suspension/front diff warrenty. An im sure the whole point of paying for a dealer lifted truck was to keep warrenty in tack and not have to worry about issues that come with a lifted truck.
    If i was you i would show them the needle bearing tsb and suggest they fix it with either a new bearing (that wont last) or install the ecgs bushing. If they didnt help me i would install it myself and damn sure never tell them about it. Unless they pull your driver side cv axle an look up in the front diff hole they will never know anyway.
     
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2019
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  15. Jan 28, 2019 at 5:24 PM
    #15
    Hollandhunter85

    Hollandhunter85 Active Member

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    On the other hand 8wks is crazy btw. An if they arent caved retards then they have heard of the needle bearing issue on lifted trucks. Sounds like they just dont wanna fix it. An if they sell many lifted tacos they sure as heck have heard of it. Cause i have lifted 4 tacomas and everyone of them were 2nd gens (same as 3rd) and they all had to have the ecgs bushing. The stock one is junk. An there is a million different threads on it. If a service manager at a dealership told me they hadnt heard of it i would find another dealer. Cause there either stupid or not telling the truth. 8wks omg!
     
  16. Jan 29, 2019 at 6:27 PM
    #16
    ToolEng

    ToolEng [OP] Member

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    Yeah, our conversations had reached an elevated level. This is my first new truck. All the others I bought used. I'll have to say that I have learned a lot from this bad experience. "New" doesn't necessarily mean trouble free.
     
  17. Jan 29, 2019 at 7:24 PM
    #17
    Lt. Dangle

    Lt. Dangle RIP @stun gun 2016-2020

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    While completely stock trucks aren't immune from issues, buying a dealer modded rig is just not a good idea. They do it the cheapest way possible and you are left holding the bag. I'd place more blame on the dealer at this point. 8 weeks to tell you "dunno" is all kinds of lame.
     
  18. Jan 29, 2019 at 7:31 PM
    #18
    AuburnAlum

    AuburnAlum Well-Known Member

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    I have a slight vibration at about 45-55 MPH. It goes away at higher and lower speeds. It also is very slight. Most folks would not notice it I am sure. I only feel it through the steering wheel. It is almost like a slow pulsing resonance. I have put 2K miles on the truck. No lift or any changes in the drive train.
     
  19. Jan 31, 2019 at 6:03 PM
    #19
    ToolEng

    ToolEng [OP] Member

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    The ECGS bushing was ordered today. I called and placed the order after talking to one of the employees at ECGS. I actually ordered two because my son's truck has already had the needle bearing replaced once in less than two years. The dealer has agreed to make the swap, reluctantly. During the eight weeks that the dealer had my truck, they pulled a new truck off the lot that was completely stock, and it had the vibration as well. It appears that the lift just increases the amount of vibration. The advice that I have gotten from the members of TW has definitely raised my confidence level. Thanks guys. I'll post the results as soon as the bushing is installed.
     
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  20. Jan 31, 2019 at 6:50 PM
    #20
    Azza

    Azza ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

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    I just had OME installed today and I think I’m having the same issue. When accelerating at lower speeds it tends to vibrate rather noticeably.

    Edit: It actually starts to vibrate when I hit around 10mph then doesn’t vibrate as much as I get faster, but still notice it even at 45mph.
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2019

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