2015 TEP I have the same noise. 52,000 miles and it's gotten more consistent but not a whole lot louder. I can pick it out even after a long highway drive where the truck has warmed up plenty. The dealership couldn't hear the noise and due to my work schedule I cant waste a day sitting in the waiting room to go for a ride. I'm also not particularly impressed by my dealership's workmanship and the next closest one has burned me to many times to go back. I'm thinking about doing the ECGS bushing but I'd like to put off the repair a little while longer so while I'm under the truck I can install a lift at the same time. Anybody know if I'm going to cause any more damage to the differential gears by letting this problem go? I sure don't want to walk into a catastrophic failure of the front end.

I noticed a strange noise a while back while in reverse. Turns out it was mud stuck to my drive shaft. Once I gave the truck a nice bath, no more strange noises. Get under there and give it a good pressure washing and see if that helps.

I am having this issue with my 2011 SR5. Made it to 91K miles before it appeared, so I don't feel as bad as the guys here with newer rigs.

Interesting that my issue fits the description of what is being reported to a T. Low frequency gear/bearing growling noise that is most apparent 35-40 mph, and can be heard increasing or decreasing in a linear fashion with accelerating decelerating. I talked to ECGS and read the TSB. Both made very specific reference to this only occurring in 2HI, and it going away in 4HI. And based on the issue that the ECGS bushing addresses, that makes sense.

But, my noise continues unchanged when in 4HI. Easy to dismiss it as it must be something else, but it sure sounds like the EXACT same issue.

The TSB suggests having a dealer use a ChassisEar to diagnose/confirm. Do they really do that? Is the dealer really the best place to get this addressed? Or would a local, trusted axle/gear repair shop, if one could be found, be better positioned to deal with a repair like this? Pretty sure a Dealer will only replace the entire diff, which really doesn't address the root cause.

Anyone have, or heard of this issue occurring also in 4HI?

Thanks,

JA

Well, I am having this problem again. As I posted previously, I asked the dealer about this. Their tech couldn’t detect the groan/vibration & the dealer insisted that I get an alignment (done by the company that did the aftermarket lift on behalf of the dealer). This was done, but the company also couldn’t detect the groan/vibration. After months of warm weather, we’re now experiencing cold weather & the issue has returned. As others mentioned, it seems to be a cold weather thing for me as well. I’m going back to the dealer next week to get this addressed & hopefully resolved. When I get this resolved I’ll post the problem & resolution.

I was having this problem. 2016 TRDP with 46,700 on the clock. Had a groan/grinding you could hear, especially between 25-40 mph, and you could feel it through the floor and in the steering wheel. When you’d engage 4H it would immediately go away and be smooth and silent. Popped ECGS bushing in, and all is well now. Smooth and silent at all speeds whether in 4WD or 2WD.

2017 SR5 48k Miles. Will keep an eye on this. Good info as always.

Here is a summary of the TSB that covers this off The NHTSA site

June 8, 2018 MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: T-SB-0026-15_REV
Components: POWER TRAIN
NHTSA ID Number: 10142876

Manufacturer Communication Number: T-SB-0026-15_Rev

Summary

TSB: REVISION NOTICE June 8, 2018 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to exclude 2016 ? 2017 model year Tacoma vehicles.

? The Repair Procedure section has been updated. May 15, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles. ? The Introduction section has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. Some 2004 ? 2017 model year 4Runner vehicles, 2007 ? 2014 model year FJ Cruiser vehicles, and

2005 ? 2015 model year Tacoma vehicles equipped with part-time 4WD may exhibit a cyclical groaning or grinding noise coming from the front differential in 2WD that goes away when operated in 4WD. This noise can be addressed by replacing the needle bearing on the left side of the front differential. Refer to the Repair Procedure for needle bearing roller replacement instructions.

I can’t wait to see a DIY on installing the ECGS bearing. I need to get this done.

These two should get you there.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WnA_R3...me_continue=11

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/pdf/37734

Thanks, I had watched that video at some point, of course they assume if you're doing this job that you have a removed a cv axle before. It would be the first time for me. I've removed a rear axle on a basic limited slip rear diff, but that's about it. I'm also not sure I wanna assume the risk of dropping something in my diff, we'll see. I need to find a good writeup on removing the axle.

Pulling the front axles on these vehicles is super easy, I wouldn’t let that discourage you.