Needle Bearing Failure With Lift (How Many)

Also some people said the dealer replaced it for them even when they got it lifted. The only problem is they just put a new needle bearing in.

 

I have a gen2, just to be clear (but I believe the front diff is the same in gen2 & gen3)
never lifted my 2013, totally stock
I currently have 346k miles on my taco

at 295k I developed a strange noise (rumble)
from near the gas pedal area when decel'ing (throttle off with no braking) from 60mph-40mph

I lifted the drivers side wheel off the ground & rotated the front left wheel by hand...discovered a bad noise from rotating
at first I thought it was the wheel bearing so I replaced it, & the noise persisted, so I further studied the noise/researched the matter
to find out that this is a common issue on tacos (gen2/gen3)
the drivers side bearing is a weak point in the front diff (carrier bearing for the cv axle)
I replaced the factory needle bearing with ECGS bushing (nov 2018 timeframe) & noise was gone
fairly easy fix & running fine for the last 50k miles


you should change this bearing out ASAP if you own a taco gen2/gen3....ITS A POS

 

There is an easy way to tell if your needle bearing is the cause of vibration. While driving about 40mph, put truck in 4WD HI. If the vibes go away, it's the needle bearing. If not then it's driveline vibration.

This test can be done on pavement, put it in 4hi while driving perfectly straight, no turns.

 

Just curious if this is only the earlier model 3rd gens up to 2018 which is when the tsb came out. I don’t see too many 2019 Tacoma’s on the forums getting the vibes/needle bearing issue... is it possible that the trucks made after that 2018 time frame for the better bearing installed at the factory? Otherwise the 2019 models would also be on the needle bearing tsb....

 

i recently went from 1.5 up to 2” up front on my 16, got the vibes/pulse humming and pedal feel at 38-41mph. 43mph it’s gone.
i ordered my bushing/puller/seal yesterday.

 

I doubt they fixed it cause its not an issue on stock trucks. only lifted

 

I hope more lifted taco owners see this thread and take heed. You have been warned. When this bearing does eventually fail. It can grenade your front diff and then it will cost a lot more than a $60 ecgs bushing.

 

2019 OR DC LB 4x4
Terraflex Falcon tow/haul
Leveling lift (I think 2" in back and 1" in front or something)
No noise or vibrations after I replaced the needle bearing

Cost me $300+ so, I try to tell everyone I talk to do it, better safe than sorry.

 

Do you have any pictures of your truck with the lift? I’m leaning towards the same setup. How much lift are you sitting at front and rear?

 

How likely is this to happen to me, if I install 6112 struts set to 0.5" of lift?

 

Everything I’ve read says 2-3” is where it becomes an issue.

 

I got the vibration after just a 1.1" lift in front with 5100's. It was subtle, wife couldn't feel it, but I could. Went away in 4 WD.
Replaced bearing with ECGS bearing and vibration was gone.

 

There was a TSB that fixed this. They replaced the needle bearings with some that are a different size. They started using the new bearings in all Tacoma’s in 2018 or 2019 models. It’s supposed to not be a problem anymore with the later models. I’m guessing that there still will be a problem if you lift it drastically high, like around 3” or so. But maybe not.
There are going to be problems like this with any vehicle if you change the geometry too much without replacing several other parts to mitigate the drastic angle changes

 

I had pretty bad vibes that went away with going into 4WD, but i put it off for quiet some time till today:/ This is the needle bearing that was pulled out today...not in one piece.

 

May explain why I'm lifted 2.7" in the front and get no vibes on the OE bearings after about 8000 miles.

 

What year is your truck? I've been wondering about this too for when I get my truck 2020 or maybe a 21 MY. Anybody having vibe issues on a lifted 2020 yet???

Per the poll currently, it's damn near 50/50 on it being a problem vs. not...

 

My 2019 DC Limited just started vibrating with about 8K on the lift, 16K overall. 2" up front with OME 888's and Billsteins that i bought from HS. No spacers except for the anti-lean on the drivers side.

 

2019, 3” lift, diff drop - vibes. ECGS bushing fixed it nicely

 

I have a 2020 and believe this is my issue. (Hopefully) Put the truck in 4H and the vibe went away. Ordering the bushing today. After I install it I will follow up.

I lifted my 18 with issues but I have a clear front left vibe on my 2020.

 

Bushing installed today. Vibration = gone.

so to answer the question of if this is still a problem on the 20’s... yes. And this fixed it.