Driver side CV axle play at the diff?

Last night I heard a strange sound coming form somewhere under the truck. Couldn't locate it while driving but when I got home I crawled under the truck and found the front diff covered in oil. I grabbed the driver side cv and was able to wiggle it up and down. I'm assuming it shouldn't do that. What parts will I need to replace? Thanks.

 

ECGS bushing. http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-8536125-toyota-8-clamshell-bushing-eliminates-needle-bearing.html And then a diff seal

 

East coast gear supply bushing and oil seal ... Also on their website and possibly a cv shaft unless you think yours is still round

 

Easy things first - are your cv boots OK?

You have two symptoms, oil and play. How much oil? How much play?

A certain amount of play is normal - the axle is a moving part. Hard to say from the description.

An inner cv boot failing would put cv grease everywhere including the differential.

Alternatively, if a seal failed inside the differential... If the seal is just weeping, you can probably let it go for now. If it's "big puddle on the skid plate" leaking that's a bigger problem. I originally was thinking failed seal would mean cracking open the diff, but it occurs to me some folks have posted up a DIY seal replacement without removing and cracking open the clamshell. Results vary if I recall correctly...

The ECGS bushing addresses abnormal play leading to a vibration, but won't help you with a seal that's already failed.

 

Cv boots are ok. It's not a puddle of oil but there was film covering the diff. I have a drive line vibration but I'm pretty sure it's coming from the rear. As for the play, I can move the cv up and down about an 8th to quarter inch at the diff. The pax side has no play at all.

 

Sounds like you can do the bushing at your leisure then. This isn't a "drop everything and fix this now!" repair.

The ECGS site linked above has a youtube video describing the install - including the oil seal.

Here's their FAQ. Reading it will save you a few bucks. (it has a promo code)

http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/files/PDF Files/toyota-clamshell-bushing-faq.pdf

 

Awesome. I appreciate your help. Was worried I'd have to park the truck till I could fix this. Will fix it soon for sure.

 

Hi Everyone. I replaced the front bearing with the new eastcoast bushing. I thought you guys might be interested in the tool I used to remove the bearing, a lot less fiddly than their tool.
https://www.jakewilson.com/p/4870/2...-Collet?term=tusk+35mm+bearing+remover+collet
I just jammed a long 1/2" bolt in it and drilled a hole in a piece of 1" angle iron. Push the collet inside the old bearing, tighten the collet until it is snug, then give it a tug to ensure it is sitting on the inside edge of the bearing, and tighten the collet all the way. I used 2 pieces of 2 x 4 to support it and drew the bearing right out.
$16 plus some stuff I had laying around vs $60 and a lot of fussing with magnets and plastic and the like.
Hope this helps. Be really careful of that oil seal too.

 

It's normal to have play in the drivers axle shaft, don't go changing things because of this.

The oil film is possibly from the oil filter above the axle shaft, an axle seal or someother leak.

The noise that the ECGS corrects is a serious vibration at all speeds in 2WD that is remedied by putting into 4WD. Any other noise is not corrected by the bushing.

The "lifted vibe" happens the second you lift the truck, regardless of age. If it only briefly made the noise, then it is likely something different altogether.

 

I'm not sure I agree with this. I too had noticeably more play in the drivers side than the passenger side. Plus, I had the vibration after I installed my lift. The ECG bushing took care of the problem. If there's too much play, you will eventually ruin your seal.

If you're sure the oil is from the front diff, do yourself a favor and replace the needle bearing with the ECG bushing. Of course, a new seal as well. You'll thank us later.

 

All tacomas have more play in the drivers side, this is normal. The shaft housing is extended on the passenger side. It also is part of the reason it vibes when lift.

But it doesn't mean this is the problem the OP is experiencing.

 

Agreed. I should have worded it differently. OP should first determine where the leak is coming from. If it is coming from the driver's side axle shaft, the ECG bushing would most likely be a good repair to pursue.

If it's coming from another source, then that should be addressed accordingly.

 

Here is the collet bearing remover I mentioned in a previous post. I bought a 35mm collet and forced a 1/2" bolt into it. I drilled a 1/2" hole in a piece of scrap angle iron and used two pieces of 2 x 4 for room to draw the bearing out. When you get the collet push the jaws together in a vise before trying to insert it. Hold the large hex portion and tighten the smaller hex portion to expand the jaws until snug. Pull on the 1/2" bolt until it contacts the inside edge of the bearing. Then tighten the smaller hex fully. Then draw the bearing out. No fiddling with magnets and trying to position the ECGS tool.

 

So judging by your pic...35mm will do the job?

 

Yes, the 35mm collet was the one I used.

 

Heres where I got it.....
https://www.jakewilson.com/p/4870/27118/Tusk-Bearing-Remover-Collet?term=collet

 

Also, if you replace the oil seal, dont drive it in all the way. Just drive it in flush with the housing. Drove the first one in all the way and it leaked, drove the second one in flush with the housing and dry as a bone. This shows it in properly


Parts and numbers for anyone interested

 

This amount of play is normal. Anything over that may be looking at worn parts.

 

In doing some research, I think this noise is identical to what I've been experiencing. At low speeds, either forward or reverse and when turning L/R or going straight, I get a metal on metal knock/clank coming from the driver front. No particular rhyme or reason as to when it occurs short of unloading/loading the drive line. Checked a-arm bolts, brake pads and all other related hardware and found to be tight/OK. Suspension/drive line in my truck are stock. Isolated a substantial amount of play at driver side CV axle where it mates to the diff. Much more than the passenger has. No fluid leak in my case though. Spoke with a buddy at the dealer and from what I gather, these CV axle failures are relatively commonplace. I'm going to replace it with the seal shortly and see if it does the trick...

 

i call that the taco clank, i hear it on most tacos 2005-2020. Nothing to worry about. Your play is caused by the junk needle bearings toyota had in their front diff for the left side. Go ahead and install the ECGS bearing/sleeve modification, this will tighten that play up to almost none. Dont bother replacing the CV axle, unless it clicks rapidly and aggressively on turns or heavy acceleration its not a bad CV.