front end growling noise

Maybe... I hope you're right, even tho the diff would be covered under powertrain warranty I'd rather not go there.

But it doesn't seem totally typical of a wheel bearing since no change turning and no looseness in the steering. Also I am not lifted and maybe that's why the diff bearing noise doesn't change when 4wd is engaged? Oh well, time will tell. It doesn't sound like it is going to fail right away and I won't have time to do any real diagnosis until after the holidays. I'll keep following my fellow TW members' threads on this in the meantime...

 

I had the bearings changed the growning when turning was gone but still had the noise when the wheel straight around 60km It was the left drivers side bearing in the diff that was worn out. They replaced the diff and the axles. Talk to the tech he said Fj and Tacomas once lifted will do this, axle angle is to excessive. He said the only lift he had seen was the fabtech lift with the middle cross member had been cut to drop the diff. That the vehicle has not had any problems with the diffs. They only had the high man joint problems with that kit. He installed that kit and does all the guys service and works on it.
He said Fj and Tacoma do not like to be lifted and have seen a couple with the problem, he also said the ones that are not lifted do not have the problems. only that they are common for front wheel bearing wear. I have no noises now and am trying to figure out what to do, almost out of warranty.
They also replaced the steering shaft and steering rack.

 

jshaw, how did they put a rubber band around the shaft to keep it from turning? I would like to try it. I'm having the same issue.

 

If you have the 2wd vibe that goes away in 4wd, the fix is in the comprehensive front diff thread here:

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

 

yea, i saw that thread. I have subscribe. was just wondering how to use the rubberband just to see if the noise could be stopped. Thanks

 

If it is the diff bearing, then the noise should not stop when stopping the front drive shaft. Whether noticeable or not, technically it would increase with that test.

 

Ok resurrecting and old thread here... (sorry).

So as some of you may know I just recently put the OME 3" lift on my truck.. and just over the Thanksgiving week, I ended up with the described front end growl indicated here. To caveat and not to rehash a bunch of details on the issue I have (its identical to what I have seen in this thread..) I would like to know (based upon others experience), is there any concern of front end damage (meaning inoperability, or front diff destruction), that others have experienced with this issue?

Frankly although an annoyance, I can put up with the growling sound as long as there are no catastrophic results of not doing anything about it.

To date and from my searches there are a few options to "fix" the issue which again based upon searching seems to be an issue with slop in the front diff assy on the left (drivers) side gear tolerances..

1. Replace or rebuild the front diff assy with quality parts such as an ARB Air locker, or the like.

2. Install a bushing sleeve as indicated by the information contained in the following website: http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-8536125-toyota-8-clamshell-bushing.html

3. Have the dealer repair.. (not an option)

4. Buy a new truck (lol... yea, right)

So I am asking those of you who have truly resolved this issue (without removing the lift...) what was the fix? did you do the bushing conversion? and if so, how is that working out?? (I am sorta skeptical of replacing a bearing with a bushing as described in the item 2 website), or did you go with an ARB, or other aftermarket front carrier that has tighter tolerances??

Please keep the answer on point to the question vs, spinning up the discussion again.. I would like to hear what you have done to resolve, not more hypothesis on the issue and the causes.. (thank you..)

But yes, I started my searches on the issue here: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...differential-bearing-vibration-thread-69.html

Along with many "IxQuick" searches.. (I steer away from google as much as possible given all the issues with Google storing data..) www.ixquick.org

Thanks in advance for your help!!

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EDIT - Looks like after reading through the forums more, it seems the bushing install from ECGS May be the way to go... just want to see what others who have installed this bushing think.. I have been getting some mixed reports on whether it solves the problem for sure or not.





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If your problem truly is the front diff bearing and not a wheel bearing vibe, then the bushing has solved it in 100 percent of the cases. Those where it didn't solve it had other causes (wheel bearings, driveshaft issues, etc). If it started immediately after the lift, happens most noticeably around 40 mph, AND goes away in 4Hi yet returns a moment later when returning to 2Hi, then the needle bearing is most definitely the cause.

 

Yep these are the symptoms, and I have no other shimmys or vibration, off in 4Hi back in 2wd... Ok Ill have to look into this kit then.

So what are the results if not corrected immediately in terms of failures or other damage?

Thanks

 

Only one person (Brian) had a problem. His had seized up by the time he took it into a shop (warranty). They almost couldn't get the bearing out. So that's really the only major risk. The other risk is that the longer you drive on it, the higher risk that the CV Axle will have to be replaced, but this could already be the case.

 

I had the same problem so I put an ARB in and poof its gone….. The plus side is now I have a front locker (-;

 

The axles spin all the time the truck is moving but not the ring and pinion it was a dumb ideal that started with GM and lazy people that did not want lock out hubs. The front drive shaft should not turn when not in 4X4 just the axles. Lifting it will increase the likely hood of killing the axle support bearing because of the more acute angle. About 30K seems to about the time they fail they put a diff under mine at about 30K all for the want of the needle bearing same noise/roughness everyone is talking about. IMHO it would be wise to listen to Toyota and run the 4X4 once a month for 10 miles or more to lube the support bearings and the shift mechanisms I was guilty of not doing this and have made an effort to do so now because the second time it’s my problem.

 

Interesting... and here i thought the bearing was on the outside of the axle all these years...

 

Late night post for me (I'm usually up around 4:20 am). For some reason, I must have been thinking the bearing moved with the axle when engaged, but I know that's not the case when I had just put in a new roller bearing 5 months prior. I probably should go edit that so someone doesn't take it as gospel or razz me anymore about it.

BTW, the last roller bearing I installed is still going without any vibes (about 30K miles later). I sure wish the bushing had been available before that time. I know it's just a matter of time before I have to pull the needle bearing out again and put in the bushing.

 

Yes the axle does indeed spin in the bearing in 4WD but it is being driven not just rolling along.

 

Thanks everyone for engaging this conversation again... (I generally dont like to resurrect old posts), but in my searches I never really found a conclusive "this fixes the issue" or "this catastrophic failure was a result of not remediating the problem" type response... I dunno maybe I didnt read *every* post and I possibly just missed it. That said, and since the issue just started, I think I have a little time to resolve ... need to save my pennies for this bushing kit...

Many thanks Ya'll!

 

I replaced the front rotors and pads on my DCSB 6spd 4x4 and then noticed the low toned growl only at low speed, sounds like its and 'aggressive' tread pattern but i have a highway tire on mine, so i go to the dealer as i talk with the parts guy and low and behold they have 2 sets of front wheel bearings in stock for the Tacomas, my truck has 78K on it, my wife has an 06 4R Limited with 110K, it runs lexus quiet and as smooth, so, for the cost of $260 bucks i can get both wheel bearing assemblies and i will change them out for starters....Any thoughts guys???
Jet

 

That is the way the bearing for the axle starts, very low speeds you may even be able to feel it. Shift it into 4WD and see if it goes away if it does it's the support bearing.

 

Well, the Growling is getting more noticeable.. Parked the truck in the Garage, ECGS Bushing kit and Tools On order..

Now the fun of taking the front end apart..

Fingers crossed for no other issues, and quick repair!!

 

Resurrecting this thread again, sorry guys. I'm having that growling issue, left drivers side, same thing everybody else is reporting. I have a 2012 sport with billies all around the front set to the highest with 33s terra grapplers. I got the lift installed about 6
Months ago, put about only 5k miles. Last week I was playing in a fairly flat field of snow, didn't do anything crazy but drive straight through it, and since then been having this issue. Somebody help and tell me what I need to fix.