OFFICIAL 2nd gen 4x4 front differential bearing vibration thread

I recently installed full ICON coil over/Camburg UCA set up with ICON/Wheelers HD 3 leaf progressive rear. I spent the last couple weekends getting my rear driveline set up. It drives smooth except for the 20 to 40mph vibe. Sure enough, put the truck in 4wd it goes away. I was surprised as I only have 7700 miles on it but it seems that miles don't matter since it is just a poor design. Just ordered the ECGS bushing and install tool, crossing my fingers that i will be vibe free after the install.

 

Son of a bitch! The Mofo is leaking now. It wasn't leaking at first. Man I was careful not to damage the new seal. Are you supposed to coat it with oil during assembly. I thought of that later after putting it together. I also thought maybe I didn't seat the bushing all the way (there was maybe 1/16" out) or the seal all the way (it was flush with the case)? I guess I have to get another seal and go back in and double check everything. Arrrrggg! Any tips or ideas? Something I may have missed?

 

did you use OEM axle or aftermarket?

and i used OEM Toyota rtv gasket sealant on the outside (my buddy works at toyota and hooked me up) to get a good seal when i put the oil seal back in.

the reason i ask is that i had a horrible time with an aftermarket axle, i got my OEM axle re-booted at put it back it, the leak stopped. i guess the aftemarket had a lower fit tolerance and was a tad out of speck. I used to have to pump oil every other week into the front diff. when i had the aftermarket one in. I learned my lesson to stick with the key OEM components. don't go cheap.

 

i used some standard grease around the surface the seal rides on when putting everything back together. Never had an issue with leaking since and i reused the original seal.

 

Yea I used the same OEM axle. Just put it back in. I just got off the phone with Chase and he said it definitely should have a film of oil or grease on the inner surface so it doesn't start dry. I didn't do that, in fact I made sure everything was nice and clean (dry) when I assembled it. Bad time to make that mistake. I asked him a couple of other questions about the install. In the video it looks like you can just tap the bushing in there and I had to beat the shit out of it to drive it in (not really because as I said earlier I couldn't really hit it that hard because there isn't much room to work with everything in the way). He said yea it take some force to drive it in. He also said it sticking out a 1/16 or so is okay just don't drive it past flush. Also the seal being flush is good or maybe a 1/16 inside but don't bottom it out because that would be too far. You added oil every other week? Man I'm paranoid with it leaking like I need to fix it today! only problem is work and family. I'll get back on it ASAP. This time I'll recruit another set of hands when reassembling to be extra careful and grease the darn thing first

 

I'm in the same boat. Anyone have a removal tool kicking around that they would either rent out or sell on the cheap? PM me........

Thanks

 

Do you guys think that it would make sense to fix the bushing prior to installing a lift, or to wait and see what sort of effect a lift might have? I'm thinking that I might even just do it all at once once all this snow melts and I can feel my fingers and toes again outside - we shall see![/QUOTE]

It's a bit of a necessity, and not really all that pricey compared to a new Differential. I have a shop in Mississauga that did it for me. I supplied the bushing and a new CV shaft. ($100 Cardone made unit). It was a pretty cheap fix at the end of the day really. I've got the puller if you need to borrow it. (Toronto)

 

I got another seal and took yesterday afternoon off to replace it. I hate to admit this but it appeared that I put the seal in backwards? Nowhere does it specify one way or the other? After pulling the CV out and comparing it to the pictures I took before removing the seal it was not the same. So I don't know if it was just dry to start or ass backwards or both but I put another one in even though it looked ok this time, and oriented the way it was originally, put a little grease on it and the shaft. Anyway I drove around yesterday evening and all day today and no leaks!
Another $12 and a couple of hours and its good now. Not too bad. Note: this time I removed the sway bar first. With it there the CV boot is rubbing on it while your moving it around. I didn't like that. I have the tool available. Just pay the shipping $5.80(US - lower 48) and I'll pass it on but give me a few more days. I want to make sure everything okay

 

Glad it was an easy fix!!

 

The lip of the seal that encases the axle. has to be lubricated with gear oil before you put it in...Don

 

We got all 3 of them done today.. So long vibes.

 

That is awesome!!! I like the silver one the best....LOL, kind of partial. I have mine ordered and should be able to get it done in a couple of weeks.

 

What technique did you use for removing the axle?
The first time I removed one I used a prybar and completely messed up the metal flange on the cv. The one that butts against the seal (was replacing it anyhow), so I used the steel cable sling/ sledge hammer the second time around. It was still a pain.
Trying

 

I really couldn't decide between white and silver.. Went with white but silver would be my next pick.

 

See Attached..


I put a 5" metal hose clamp around the pointed out area just tight enough to get my 3 ft screw driver/flat pry bar in but tight enough to not let it slip off the lip that i was hitting against (Had my buddy hold the axel so it didn't fall). I started hitting the screw driver/pry bar with a rubber/plastic mallet and it didn't have enough shock value to release it from the Diff. So I used a regular 16 oz hammer and it came out in 4 good hits. Hope this helps

 

Nice looking truck!!!!! I like the long bed. It looks cool with the three taco's together. How long did each one take you to do? Did it cure the vibes for all of you?

 

Thank you! Had to take a picture of them all, not everyday you get 3 tacoma's in your driveway. First one took about 2.5 hours and the last one took less than an hour.

 

LOL, no kidding have to get a pic of that!! I think there are 3 total (lifted) here in Sitka. That doesn't sound too long. I may have to do the CMC at the same time I have the front tore apart for the ECGS bushing.

 

Damn! I wish there was only 3 lifted Tacoma's around here.. Every time you think you do something different to your truck, you see it on someone else's truck the next day. Ha!

 

Lol, well I guess that is true. I am an original here. The other two are spacer lifts. Heading off to Guam this summer so will have to see how it is there.