OFFICIAL 2nd gen 4x4 front differential bearing vibration thread

PM me if you want me to build you a puller for a donation.

 

My ECGS bushing is in and the Taco runs nice and smooth again. Miracle!

Is there enough space inside that bushing for fluid to lubricate with? I was surprised that the inside of the bushing was smooth. I expected a channel or cut to aid fluid into it.

 

Hey im a newb when it comes to tacos, I've dealt with jeep vibes in the past and have a fairly good understanding of rear driveline vibrations and how to cure them but I'm just curious of how you would describe the noise the front dif will make if your bearings are done for? I just got my 2010 reg cab lifted yesterday with 5100s and ome 885s and 2in aal and I have a humming noise from 0-45 (that's as fast as I've gotten it up to with all the snow on the ground) it sounds like tire hum but a little more pronounced. I also don't seem to feel any real vibrations or hear any clunking or grinding. The hum will continue whether I'm in gear or not (5speed).
Any info would be greatly appreciated..
Thanks in advanced.

-Chris

 

when you hear the hum, put your truck in 4hi, if hum goes away in 4hi, then the diff bearing is no bueno. If it doesn't go away, then its not the diff bearing.

 

When I'm driving down the road I have a bad vibe in my pedals and floor board, but I could never really notice a huming sound that everyone has mentioned. After finding this thread, I tried switching to 4hi while going about 30 mph and the vibe got a little better, but did not go away. After switching back to 2HI I then definitely notice a distinctive hum start back up in 2HI.

What I'm saying is its been making this humming noise all along, but I always thought is was my A/T tires making the growling noise. So I guess I will try and replace the bearing out.

 

It may be that you are feeling the tires going down the road. I had bfg at's and they made a ton of noise. Then you putting it in 4hi and the noise partially going away is probably that diff bearing. Another thing you may consider are wheel bearings as well. Jack the front of the truck up and spin the wheels. If you hear an ugly metal on metal sound, could be a bad bearing, just try not to mistake the noise for brake drag when spinning the wheels. It will be a fainter metal on metal noise.

 

^^^This. You can also remove the wheel, and then spin the hub by hand. Sometimes you'll experience a subtle resistance or binding that may not be noticeable with the wheel on.

 

x2. it will feel "lumpy"

 

I inspected into this further today, the hum starts from 0 and continues to around 30, after that I can't really hear it anymore. It's the worst around 15. And can't hear any humming other than tires at highway speeds. Doesn't seem to go away when in 4hi maybe slightly quieter but couldn't really tell..

 

Still have my puller if anyone needs it.

PM me.

 

Did some more research this morning. I've got the play in the cv, and had a popping noise when I first started driving.. So sounds like I'll be putting in a bushing.. Gonna get with ecgsupply next day I can get off since they are practically down the road from me..
Thanks for the info guys.

 

subd

 

so the $60 bushing from eastcoastgearsupply does work? (i read the first 20 pages then stopped) is it only for the drivers side or do i need one for the passenger side as well? and is there a diy guide to this? I put my lift on about 3 weeks ago, didn't pay any attention to the way it drove till after alignment then noticed the vibration at 0-45ish then it would stop and it also stops when i put it in 4wd hi. when i first put it in 4wd hi it went away for about 2 days, now its back. its driving me crazy.

thieu if this does indeed fix the problem I'd be interested in getting the puller from you.

 

Great thread! NEWB to TW, started a search to find info on the vibration I now have after installing new shocks and a leveler kit a few days ago. After hours of reading on this site, decided that I needed to join. I have an 07 Taco with 180K, and this is the first problem I've ever had. I'm going to forego raising the diff and remove the leveling kit as soon as I can. Hope the vibration goes away.

 

I don't understand why you would remove a lift because of this problem. It would be far less work to just install the ECGS bushing.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^Plus it may not even solve your problem. Plenty of stock trucks have this problem. I switched coils in the front hoping to get my CV angles a little more level and thought it might help the vibration. Nothing changed. Installed the bushing last weekend and now everything is perfect.

Side note to anyone who is doing the bushing install, when you move the spindle/hub assembly to the side to remove the cv axle make sure you don't bend the dust cap for the brakes. Mine barely got bent from being tied back out of the way while the bushing was being installed. After everything was buttoned up I went out for a drive and heard this nasty scraping sound. Not knowing what it was at first I figured I had just ruined my new truck. Luckily it was just the dust cover and was easily straightened out.

 

^^ I would recommend that you just do the driver's side. I did both sides because my right side stub shaft was pretty scored but I believe this to be rare. The right side needle bearing is under entirely different conditions. It is also a big job going into the right side.

 

anyway to determine if I need both sides without taking both sides apart, or is this mainly a driver side problem?

 

Mainly a driverside problem.

 

Might have missed it but is there a front diff removal walk through or guide around here.
I'm pulling mine out tomorrow am