front diff bearing replacement

The seals were replaced without taking the diff apart. They only had to replace a small amount of fluid.

 

Any way to test a wheel bearing aside from funny noises?

 

So you can replace the seals without taking the CV out?

 

I was always told to jack up the front so the tires are off the ground, grab tire top and bottom then push/pull in/out with force. if there is play the wheel bearings are bad. Mine seem to be tight but I still have a funky noise

not possible

 

Thats a good question X2

 

Thats what I thought, I think I misread it. Thanks everyone

 

Well, you're certainly not alone. Never had the rear leaf TSB done, and really wanted to add the extra leaf. Installed the Wheeler's 1.5" AAL and 5100's all around last week (set the fronts to 1.75). I got the "vibe of death" that so many get. Haven't made it through the 35 page thread on TN yet. But it is funny how it won't go away if you coast, but clicking it in 4WD (even when it never locks up in 4WD) the vibe goes away. Can use the 4WD switch like a light switch...turn the vibe on and off (doesn't matter if it locks in 4WD or not). Why would that be? Is it the front diff that locks first, then the transfer case...or the other way around? The one that locks first must be the culprit since the vibe goes away before the latter solenoid locks it up.

EDIT: cj99si had this problem years ago. Adding the lift points out that the front diff bearings are bad and need to be replaced. Checked play in the front shafts and can move both almost 1/4 of an inch! Looks like out front diff bearings are probably all going to fail before 160K miles (I'm at 88K now and have that much play in them). Either replacing the front diff or replacing the bearings will eliminate the vibe.

 

There doesn't have to be play in the bearing for it to be gone. Swerve left to right like the above poster said, if the noise goes away when steering in one direction or the other, chances are its a wheel bearing. Also jack up the truck and spin the wheel by hand. You should have no problem hearing the shot bearing as the wheel rotates.

 

We're talking about 2 completely different issues. Wheel bearing noise doesn't go away in 4WD.

If you have a failing wheel bearing, it will happen all the time when turning one way or the other.

If you have a problem with the carrier bearing in the front diff, it will happen mostly when cold and usually go away after driving at highway speeds for a bit - also, goes away as soon as 4wd is engaged.

 

This is exactly the problem I am having!! So the output bearings from the front diff are the problem? I had one shop tell me its transfer case and my dealer wont admit there is a problem.

Is this a possible DIY job?

 

I've never done it so dont know. With the right tools, anything's a DIY.

For now, I'm just gonna let it roll. If we had disco's on the front half shafts, would never hear the noise and since i don't hear it in 4wd, not gonna get too excited about it. Might tear into it later in the summer but not in a hurry.

 

ok, well, it doesn't go away in 4wd - that's my point. Thanks for pointing that out though.

 

Had this same issue twice already, I guess im too harsh on my Taco

 

I looked at the instructions for changing the bearing. Looks complicated enough that I'd be afraid to tackle it myself. The removal/install instructions are attached.

 

For those of you that have the vibe issue that goes away in 4WD, I recommend reading this thread here: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/56236-front-end-growling-noise.html

Pay attention to JShaw's post #27 which is where he solved it.

 

Well my front end rattle seems to be only with the drivetrain under load (ie idling up my slightly inclined driveway) or with half throttle once moving

 

Man I just got this truck replaced the drivers wheel bearing and cv axle and still have a bad vibe as soon as I drive it. I think my diff bearings are shot.

 

But does it go away when you switch it to 4WD...will go away before the transfer case engages. Just flip the switch. Doesn't matter if the 4WD light in the dash is flashing because it will go away even with it flashing.

 

It's has a little less noise, but when I reach under there that bearing has way to much play. I just redid the wheel bearing that was bad the outer race on it was toast. I have some bearings on the way if not I have a replacement diff in line.

 

Well I took my truck to the dealership to get this diagnosed. I took a ride with the tech and he immediately noticed the noise, I showed him how it went away in 4WD and mentioned before it fully locked in it went away. I also mentioned that the CV's have play in them and he agreed that it felt like it could be the front diff.

So I agreed to pay $65 for diagnosis and I hopped in my corolla loaner and expected to hear back in a few hours with a diagnosis.... 8pm rolls around and nothing. So I call the next day, they say they're still looking and I need to pay another $120 for diagnosis ($185 total) I begrudgingly agree cuz I want this taken care of.

So I finally get a call late Wednesday (after bringing it in first thing Monday) that they can't figure it out. They listened to different things with some "stethescope" but still can't figure it out. The kicker is they still expected me to pay $185 which I got knocked down to $0 after having a chat with the service manager so I can't fault anyone for that.

But I just want this taken care of and after reading this thread and the ones over on TN i'm 95% sure it's the front diff bearings. I'm almost to the point of screwing my extended warranty and rebuilding the diff with some help from one of my friends who is a Ford mechanic