OFFICIAL 2nd gen 4x4 front differential bearing vibration thread

ohhhhhhhh....that's easier said than done........I can barely change the oil myself

and as I read before....going to the dealership and having a new diff wont work, or it will for just a while???

This is TOTALLY unacceptable from Toyota, it would be different if they were a "new" company

 

New diff will only fix the problem for a couple of thousand miles (Maybe).. There has to be someone in Colorado that has done the swap for the bushing that can help..

 

Chase, can you clarify the seal depth? I think you actually do install the structural part of the seal (rubber coated metal part that you pound in) flush with the inset, which leaves the smaller rubber lip flush with the outer step, or even protruding a bit. At least this is what a cross section drawing in the FSM shows. I think if the structural part of the seal was only flush with the outer step it wouldn't be securely installed, and the smaller rubber lip would run into the axle dust shield when it is installed.

Chase, does this sound right?

 

well.....4hi doesn't really seem to do that much, if anything MAYBE a 10% improvement....I'll 'thankfully' just chalk it up to 2 bad balances :-/

 

If the vibration only started after installing the new tires, then I would say it is simply your new tires. If you had new wheels installed as well, it could simply be that as well. If you find that it is not the diff, just get your tires road force balanced and ensure you're using extended thread acorn style lug nuts.

 

All trucks have the problem, it's just a matter of time until it shows up. If you watch the video from Chase it explains the problem. Your true 33's just made the problem finally shine it's head.

Put the bushing in. If you can't do it yourself, have a local 4x4 shop do it. You'll be much happier with the bushing installed.

 

So, I'm going to sound real stupid but I don't know what that is...sorry?? Is that different than the machine balance that they have been doing??? This was done at Discount Tire btw

 

Discount Tire should have a RF balancer. But if your running aftermarket rims you may need the right lug nuts to center the wheels also. Most likely just a balance issue. If it happens around 60-65mph for sure. Many threads on that. The vibration related to this thread can be very subtle - maybe the 10% you mentioned.

 

Okay I've been away from Tacoma world for awhile and I posted here at #121, now we are at #527, what the hell did I miss? What's this new fix for the vibe? There's a video? Crap I need to catch up, anybody have the Clift notes? My truck has been fine since diff replaced and even got new bigger tires but still worried about this issue. Someone fill me in! Guess I better start reading.

 

Short end of the story ^
People are getting vibes from the needle bearing on the drivers side diff . Some people that had the diff replaced claim the vibes came back in X amount of time/miles . East coast gear supply came out with a bushing to replace the needle bearing . So far I haven't heard anybody say the vibe has come back after installing the bushing . They have the bushing and removed tool available on there website .
I have around 5k miles on the bushing and still have no vibes .
Hope this helps .

 

Has anyone pulled out their CV after a few thousand miles to inspect the bushing? I would just like to confim that that the bushing surface is not wearing before I go for a bushing. Some of these were installed a few months ago now so someone should do some investigating.

 

yes you are correct the structural part of the seal flush with the seal bore.

 

It's not a stupid question, if you are like me, you learn the hard way! I do everything at Discount as well and they do have a roadforce balancer but they will not do it unless you ask. It is a different way of balancing tires and is simply the best for larger tires. Once again, look into getting the right lug nuts and possibly hub centric rings( I have them and they work, no charge from discount tire). Very common issues...simple fixes.

 

What did you do to remedy the situation?

 

I took the differential out of the truck and split the case. I had the old bearing pressed out by a local shop and the new bushing pressed in.

 

Local shop just quoted me $320 in labor to do this. I already have all of the parts including a new CV axle, ECGS bushing, axle seal, diff oil, and new differential drain and fill plugs. I hate to pay someone to do something I could probably manage myself, but I just don't have the time or patience that I used to. Does $320 sound about right?

 

Email ECGS and ask how much they would charge to do this job, and use that as a baseline. Then shop around various trans and gear shops in your area.

 

That's too bad.

People might want to take note of what can happen if things don't go smoothly.

 

That's precisely why you stuff something inside the needle roller bearing before trying to remove it (I used a sponge, but I think Chase used plastic wrap). Then if it disintegrates, the needles can't go anywhere but out. Someone who did this in the beginning (way back) had it happen and had to cut the bearing out after all the needles came loose. It is a very flimsy bearing that's in there tight.

 

A sponge is going to help pull the bearing out of the carrier?

Because that was his problem. He wasn't able to pull the bearing out. He had to drop the differential, split the case, and press the bearing out from the inside out.

It can happen to anyone. I just wanted to let the new armchair mechanics know what they may be in for. It's not an oil change.