Installed 2" lift - now have a vibration/noise

The more you investigate this issue the more you learn. I agree with others on this thread that the problems we are all experiencing are directly attributed to Toyota's poor manufacturing tolerances (slop) of the carrier (cast vs. machined), spider gear (short shoulder) and the decision to use crappy needle bearings to support the CV axle. This impacts both stock and lifted Tacomas. When you add a lift it exacerbates the issue so it becomes more noticeable. There are other threads on Tacoma World (2016 and prior models years) with stock and lifted trucks talking about steering vibration and differential groaning/grinding. At this point, I think it is all the same issue. People are just interpreting it differently.

Everyone owes it to themselves to watch the YouTube video produced by East Coast Gear Supply (ECGS). It lays out the problem plain and simple and the fix: https://youtu.be/BOvoM5irtEc?list=PLaX0YktJvGQuk-Xge30aZX-EXwvlKNUVK

When this issue first surfaced on my truck, I took it to my local Toyota dealer (Miller Toyota Anaheim California). I purchased my truck out of state (Ohio) so going back to the dealer I bought it from was not practical. They kept my truck over the weekend and called Toyota Corporate on a Monday. By Tuesday, I was told Toyota would not cover the problem due to it being lifted. Keep in mind I bought the truck from a Toyota dealer my father is an executive at and I had the lift installed by the Toyota dealer. You would think under these circumstance I would be taken care of - right? Nope. Instead I was turned away. I said BS and showed them the existing Toyota Service Bulletin (T-SB-0026-15) effecting Tacomas for ten years prior through 2015. The jackasses at Toyota Corporate never addressed the problem in the 2016 model other than supposedly using the TBS bearings during manufacturing of the new trucks.

I am happy to hear some folks have had success with the bearings being replaced. However, some have gotten the new bearings and the problem has returned. Without Toyota addressing the root cause of a shitty casted carrier and poorly supported spider gear and overall sloppy manufacturing tolerances, the issue will likely remain. For that reason, I said screw it and I am getting the ECGS bushing installed this week. The bushing is $60 plus a new seal. Takes roughly 3 hours in labor at a local transmission/differential shop. $400 or so and the damn groaning/grinding goes away with a new bushing that was manufactured by pros at ECGS that know what they are doing.

I am pissed at Toyota for treating me and all Tacoma owners this way. Been driving Tacomas since 2000. This is unacceptable. I will be complaining to Toyota by phone as well just to annoy the shit out of them and maybe help to get a TSB issued for the 2016. Taking to social media is also an option. Most big brands respond when you take to mainstream social media and start making noise.

If you are tight on cash and you want Toyota to replace the bearings to see if it will clear up your issue. My father's dealership gave me a few tips. Once they reject your warranty based on your lift, call Toyota Care and raise hell. First pressure them to fix it under warranty. Mention the prior TSB for Tacomas through 2015. If after trying hard with no success, tell them you want them to "make good" on the problem. This is Toyota internal jargon for Toyota Corporate pays for some of the repair cost and the local dealer covers the other portion. A "make good" is Toyota's attempt to fix issues outside of warranty as a "one-time courtesy." I know, one-time courtesy, pisses me off too. Just trying to help if funds are thin.

Honestly, I think the bushing is the only long-lasting solution. High-end front differentials like an ARB lockers also use bushing installed vs. bearings to handle the side load. Had I know this, I would have put the bushing in day one when the lift was first being done and treated it as an upgrade.

 

^^^ EXACTLY ^^^^
All it would take I think is for them to tighten up the tolerance on the spider gear end
of the clam shell and we probably wouldn't be seeing this issue. But it would probably cost
them way too much to re-tool just for that small change, yeah right. Just look at the Dana
clam shell and see how little movement there is in it. Could maybe machine and press in a
bushing on the spider end of the clam shell to tighten up tolerance some?? I guess it is
what it is. As was said, just get the ECGS bushing and be done with it.
Also regarding ECGS recommending the different gear oil in the diff., has anyone heard from
Chase regarding his thoughts on just using the oem oil or is it highly recommended to use
what they suggest? I wouldn't think it would matter too much, just curious.

 

First drive assessment with the new ECGS bushing installed. NO NOISE!!! I'll report back as I get more miles behind me.