OFFICIAL 2nd gen 4x4 front differential bearing vibration thread

Bearing presses onto hub (6 bolt splined inside piece wheel attaches to) then bearing "fits" inside spindle when all is said and back together.
Bearing + hub

Spindle where both attach

Just to stop confusion.

 

I'm not confused at all about what is what. The way some guys were talking, it was like they were saying there hub was the problem. I didn't think it would ever be the problem inless you didn't press the bearing onto the hub correctly. Almost impossible though.

I was just trying to clear up what they were talking about. I just got done doing this job on my truck along with the ecgs bushing, new rotors etc.

 

It's all good... Thanks for posting pics for us and clearing it up too

 

I also just finished a bearing job as well. By far the worst experience Ive had with my truck so far.
Blew one on the side of a highway and installed a new one in a parking lot (had a bit of help from a tow truck driver). That one went smoother than this time.

 

fixed it for ya

 

So I definitely have this vibration. 2011 with 25k miles. Under warranty but I have billies up front at 2.5. Will the dealer blame my lift?

Goes away when engaging 4hi. Comes back in 2hi.

 

Just had the same issue with the same milage except I have a 3" toytec kit from what I get the dealer may replace the diff but it won't fix it ecgs sell a replacement bushing that will fix it I just had the bushing put in my truck.

 

They blamed my lift, but still replaced my Diff under warranty. I would suggest buying the ECGS parts first, because you're gonna wanna replace the bearing regardless. Take your truck to the dealer and see if they will warranty the diff and possibly the CV. If they do, have them do the work, then take your truck home immediately and replace the bearing with the bushing. If it works, you have a new diff with no metal parts floating around in it, possibly a new CV, and replacing the bearing with the ECGS bushing will eliminate bearing failure from happening in the future.

 

Haha I was waiting for that.

 

^^^ I strongly agree with Texoma on this. He has had skin in the game on this from the beginning. I am also going to go out on a limb here. I was the second person to do the bushings. I now believe that most if not all of the 2nd gen. 4WD trucks has bad needle bearings on one or both sides of the front diff. I did both sides on a very low mileage stock truck. Why the right side too? When I opened it up what I found freaked me out.

Go to the following thread and scroll to the pictures in Posts 113, and 130. The thin needle bearing is shown in Post 113, its needles sit in a plastic cage. Yep, plastic. I believe the plastic is being deformed. In post 130 the scoring in the stub shaft on my right side looked exactly like the scoring in the pictures shown for the left in this example.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...erential-side-bearing-replacement-done-7.html

 

......Solved!


Well guys and gals,

Just wanted to add my experience to this thread since I've been plagued but the same issue. Never noticed the vibe, installed 3'' lift, and BOOM! There it was. I didn't know about this issue before the lift, otherwise I would have done it. Had many lifted vehicles, FJ Cruiser, JK, XJ, 3rd Gen 4Runner, and this was about the worst vibe I've ever had. Anywho, ordered and installed the ECGS bushing and so far so good! Pretty much completely gone! I do have a little vibe about 65-75 but I'm pretty anal, so its not bad really. I hadn't driven that much with the vibration, maybe about 200 miles, but my seal was leaking pretty bad. But, probably got about 250 miles on her so far and its GREAT! Seal isn't leaking either.

Big shout out to the guys at ECGS!

Thanks again everyone!

Tim

 

Well.... I spent the afternoon replacing my front diff bearing with the bushing from ECGS. Went for a short spin and no vibes! I forgot how smooth my truck was pre OME. Didn't replace the CV's, they looked good. I did replace the diff seal and changed fluid.

Now its time for a self congrats beer and some elk chili.

I've been perusing Tacoma World for a couple years now and have utilized others advise and experience while working on my truck many times. Thanks to ECGS and Tacoma World!

 

Anyone need a puller tool? $40 + shipping. Pm me if you're in need.

 

Pics?
Just wanna see what youve got.

 

It is the ECGS puller

 

ECGS bushing installed. Fixed my "common" vibe problem.
I have a removal tool I could let go of if someone needs one. I'm in Western Canada.

CHEERS to ECGS.

 

Trying to troubleshoot a noise on my 2009 4 cyl. 4wd access cab, manual, 118k miles . Only mod is K&N air intake, otherwise stock
Seems to be as described in this thread, except the noise doesn't change when I switch into 4wd

I get a loud growling noise from the front (maybe front passenger side) in all gears up to about 40 mph. Growling noise is different than engine noise and doesn't seem related to RPMs. Noise goes away in neutral or with the clutch down. The noise is the same in 2wd as 4wd. After 40 mph, I don't hear it anymore. No noticeable vibrations. Noise lessens but doesn't go away once the car is warmed up from driving.

Does hearing the growl in 4wd and 2wd rule out the front dif?
Does not hearing the noise in neutral rule out wheel bearings?
Any thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Sounds like you have a manual trans
Check your throwout bearing. After that, think clutch-related, then maybe (!) the input shaft.

 

As far as the front diff side bearings go, it was initially thought that the noise going away when shifting into 4WD was the principal diagnostic clue for the problem, and still is. However, at least one person, and perhaps a couple of people, have since showed up on this thread saying the noise did not go away when engaging 4WD, so I would not now rule it out. I believe they also replaced the needle bearing with the ECGS bushing on the left to cure the problem.

Mine never had any noise at all but both side bearings were were trashed. As always, don't rule out wheel bearings and possibly the things the poster above me listed.

Best of luck.

 

Does the ECGS bushing fit the passenger side too?