OFFICIAL 2nd gen 4x4 front differential bearing vibration thread

qnyla, to answer your questions, yes my RH side had play like in your video. The factory service manual specs. 3 mm for the right and mine was coming in about double that. Checking for free play is kind of strange. I found that the front drive train has to be completely relaxed with no loading at all otherwise it will fool you into thinking the CVs are tighter than they really are. I also found that the front end can't be jacked up at all -- it has to rest in its natural position on the ground.

To be honest, I think it was just a bad ball bearing from the factory that launched me into looking at the whole right side in the first place. IMHO the ball bearing is certainly better than the needle bearing but I sort of expected to see one one a bit more beafy. I think that is why the play develops on the right side of some diffs. It just rocks back and forth within the ball bearing giving that much slop.

It runs great now.

 

I just started getting a vibration over 60mph on the RF. I hoping just a wheel bearing. going to check out this weekend

 

I'm just getting ready to install a new OME kit. Do you guys think that it would beneficial to install this while i'm installing my lift?

 

Personally, I would. Let me ask you a question: If you install your stuff then discover you have the vibe, are you going to regret having to take it all apart again? If yes, do it for peace of mind. If no, then do it anyway. Bet you thought I was going to say don't, didn't you! Actually, if you have the time, skills, and a little extra cash for the parts, then do it. It'll only make it better than new.

 

I just listed the ECBS removal tool for sale in the marketplace.

I had the the 30 to 40mph vibe after installing lift and the east coast bushing completely fixed that vibe at that speed.

Unfortunately i had another vibe around 55mph So i removed the lift to trouble shoot and it was still there. It just ended up being a bad wheel bearing.

 

Just replaced my needle bearing with the ECGS bushing today and my truck is still growling. Time for new wheel bearings I guess.

 

Did this today.....NADA, Nothing.....Still shakes like shit from 45-60.....This is getting old, $, and time consuming....I've read TONS of complains and threads I just don't know where to go from here????

 

^^It shakes? What shakes? Is it your steering wheel or does it feel like it in you seat? Like a shudder..
Bc if its anything like that, then def not the diff bearing. Maybe driveline or tires.. G.L.

 

If you got the steering wheel shakes then you have a tire balance issue... not a bearing issue

 

I feel mine in my brake and gas pedals. I'll be ordering a new bearing soon.

 

I've had them Balanced 5 times and Rotated twice in the last 2 months....I think it just time to sell this POS Truck....I wish I had NEVER traded in my FJ

 

Don't hurt your truck's feelings by calling it a POS. You just need to know how to correctly diagnose your problem. Stop rotating your tires for one. Explain exactly when and where you are feeling these vibrations. I had somevibrations recently that I diagnosed as being warped rotors. Got new rotors, no mo vibes. Just be patient, and explain in full detail of what you are expiriencing, when you started expiriencing , what you've done so far, and maybe we can get you headed down the right path.

 

First THANKS, for trying to help, I'm just BEYOND frustrated with this....My Steering wheel shakes VIOLENTLY from 45-60 at least 90% of the time, I also feel it in the ENTIRE front end, I can see cups in the cup holder shake....and I'm really starting to think ALL Tacoma are POS's, 2012's are rolling off the lot with 0 miles and are having shaking problems....these trucks are just TOO temperamental, I just miss my FJ :'(

 

Alot of shops do brake and suspension inspections for free. They do that because they want your buisness and charge a ton of cash to do work. The steering wheel shake at 60mph sure does sound like a wheel balance problem, but you've had them balanced 2x already. Maybe the shop you took it to hasn't calibrated their machine in a while or just don't know how to. Another thing is could be the rotors being warped as well. Your truck is 4yo, how many miles do you have on it? Have you replaced your pads, rotors, or anything like that? May also be some play in the ball joints or tie rods that is causing the steering wheel shake as well. There are many things that can cause these vibes. What it doesn't sound like is the diff bearing, or the support bearing, so we can eliminate those. Do you have the steering wheel shake at any other speed? Or is it just in a certain speed range?

 

You're lifted...ever do anything about your carrier bearing?

 

It only has 55,000 miles on it...50-55mph seem to be the worst, I can feel it 45-60mph...sorry, I don't know what a carrier bearing is....I just want to figure out what's wrong with it so I can sell it, I'm sorry if I find all the problems unacceptable for a truck with such relatively low mileage, I've already poured so much money into it and dont have really anymore to waste on it...

 

If you lifted it, all bets are off, and the problems are likely of your own creation. Don't blame the truck unless the issue was there pre-lift.

Your carrier bearing is the bearing in the center of the two-piece driveshaft. Vibrations on these trucks are common when lifted as it puts the u-joint behind the carrier bearing at a steep angle, making the shaft rotate out of balance.

Try shimming it down 1/4" to 1" with hardware...it's cheap and easy...mine's dropped an inch to keep vibes away at 3.5" of lift...otherwise it has a nasty takeoff shudder.




Nice thing about this is it's reversable and easy to test. Give it a shot, it doesn't help then we move on to the next suspect.

 

If it was the carrier bearing, the steering wheel wouldn't shake violently. The problem is up front if the wheel is shaking.

I don't see any threads from your bolt poking throught he other side of that welded on nut. That is a lil dangerous. You should find yourseld some longer bolts to put in and douse them in loctite.

 

OH, forgot to mention I also have this "clank, clank" metal sound when I first drive it (like when momentum shift from forward to backward)

 

It came pre-lifted directly from Toyota Certified.....I'm going to take it back to the stealership and see if or what they can find....I just hope it doesn't cost a lot of $