OFFICIAL 2nd gen 4x4 front differential bearing vibration thread

Nicely done, I've been going back and forth over whether or not to buy a new CV axle while I gather parts for this project. How far did you drive your new seal in? For future reference

 

All the way until it stopped. I've already drove 400 km with it and and no leaks. I used an old piece of PVC pipe laying around to drive it in.

BTW, I highly recommend using a slide hammer to pull out the CV shaft. With a hook attachment and a band clamp around it and inner portion of the shaft, it pulls right out without any damage. Sorry I don't have any pics, I was pressed for time doing it, but there's a few in this thread which show the set-up.

 

It is engineered to go all the way in. It must be evenly driven in, else it will leak. You can use a flat punch and a hammer, or a piece of pipe.

 

I now have 50k miles on my truck since the ECGS bushing install, many 4wd miles and no leaks and no vibration.

 

That's really good to hear!

The bushing construction looks very similar to motorcycle fork bushings (the PTFE inner bush) and those last a long time. Mind you they just move axially along the stanchion tubes and don't rotate. Sounds like ECGS nailed it!

 

Well i don't normally leave long posts on here, but If you are thinking about installing the ECGS bushing.. well here you go,

Bought my truck new early 2012 double cab 4x4. I had the optional "by dealer and dealer installed" 3 inch "leveling kit" <lift> Had 300 miles when the dealer installed the lift along with the diff drop kit. Up until last month i haven't heard any noise. Hit 36,500 miles on it last month and started hearing the dreaded noise. Went on here to see if anyone has had issues with this noise. Sure enough there is. Many have. So after my own troubleshooting before I took it to the dealer found the target noise is in the differential. Sound so much like a wheel bearing, but ruled that out from the fact that 4x4 makes it go away. So I ended up ordering the tools and bushing from ECGS to have on hand. I then took it to my local toyota dealer where i bought the truck. They heard the noise on the drive with a tech and did what i think was a little research and came back and said that the front diff is not covered under the power tran warranty due to having a lift. I then referred to the whats not covered in the warranty book and it shows nothing about excluding front diff. After insisting that they put the lift on and sold it to me. They agreed it was their responsibility to cover the diff with their lift installed. I discussed the fix by ECGS and they agreed that that would probably keep it from coming back. But being a full blown toyota dealer they were hesitant to put aftermarket parts on the truck that they would have to warranty. However the service director who i have been working with agreed to install the bushing. So Warranty is covering the new CV shaft, oil seal, and labor to install bushing, also my toyota rental for 2 days. Stopped by today to check status and show them how to install the bushing. Truck was on lift with CV shaft out and bearing out waiting for new shaft and install tomorrow. They have not encountered this issue and bushing before. New to them. They said it will be a learning experience for them and if it worked out they would consider this fix as part of the repair process for future tacoma owners. So tomorrow we will find out if it goes away. I'll know right away because i'm picky about noises.. Any way moral of the story is, if the dealer installed the lift they sold you, they have to warranty it. And with a little persuasion, they may install the bushing for you for free.

 

So a update today, I picked up the truck and no noise and smooth as butter. I had them put mobile 1 with LS additive to help prolong the life of the bushing. Just wondering how long the bushing will last.

 

Hey,

This is a great thread, I learned a lot. My truck has been humming and groaning for about a month, and stops when I throw it into 4wd so I guess I've got the same issue. My question is: what happens if I just leave it the way it is? Some guys are saying that when they check the end of the cv it looks fine. So is anything really be damaged, or is it just wearing out quicker or something.



Later

 

I'd say your spider gear will start showing wear marks on the teeth due to the angle of attack of the spider and ring gear from excessive wear of the needle bearing.

 

very surprised they installed the bushing for you. Did that end your warranty now that there is an aftermarket part in the differential?

 

Installed the ECGS bushing. Lot less play in the shaft itself but now whenever I accelerate or decelerate I get a fantastic growling sound that does not go away in 4Hi.

I think I preferred it the way it was before. There's still a little in and out play that I cannot get rid of, but the front to back up and down play is greatly diminished. Vib/growling is from 20mph all the way to 65mph. Goes away at speeds higher than that. WTF.

 

No, but they won't warranty the bushing or the CV shaft.

 

Was wondering how we change the bushing when it goes bad in the future? Will the tool take it out just like the bearing?

 

Pretty sure that's your front drive shaft. Sounds exactly like what mine does. I also have the driveshaft with the extra knuckle and it still does this.

 

Did you fix it at all? Or figure out why it's doing this?

 

Nope. Its been like that for 3 years now. I spoke with a tech and they said it shouldn't cause any issues.
Does it also do it when you come off the accelerator?

 

Sure does.

Feels like something is rattling around. Imagine a stick in a bucket spinning around and smacking the edges repeatedly.

 

Almost a grinding, metal on metal sound or shot bearing sound eh?

 

No idea what a shot bearing sounds like.

Sounds like a whirring thumping sound. More thumping, but really fast and only on acceleration and deceleration.

 

Im pretty sure that's all it is. Just some drive shaft vibe.
Maybe a need to have it balanced. Mines been doing that for awhile, like I said and it hasn't caused me any ill effects.