I had my needle bearing in the front dif replaced under warranty

Its at the dealer as we speak. Took a drive with the tech and he noticed it too. They are looking into it. Interesting that yours does this too. Mine is most noticeable at just over 50 mph with the foot on the gas (not coasting). I can feel a vibration through the floor and on the steering wheel as well as the droning sound. If I let off the gas, it disappears.


Would you say this is what happens on yours?

Not same truck, yours is a part time 4wd (SR5 model), different front end. The TSB for the needle bearing is for non limited AWD models.

Yes, the exact same thing. It doesn’t happen at any other speed though.

Wow, ok! So maybe its normal or do you feel its something wrong? I had a 2011 Limited and don't recall it.

Update, just got off the phone with the dealer, they are replacing the front differential.
Another one of their Techs had a similar issue with another 4R and they did this to fix it.

Damn ok, glad I’m still under warranty. Made an appointment with my dealer tomorrow will update with what they say.

If it does not go away in 4HI, it could be this

October 25, 2016 MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: T-TT-0424-16
Components: WHEELS
NHTSA ID Number: 10132884

Manufacturer Communication Number: T-TT-0424-16

Summary

TT: Front Brake Vibration Key Points: * Issue can occur at any time if improper torque is applied on lug nuts * Over time, even one lug nut over or under torqued, can cause a vibration issue * When lug nuts are over torqued, this causes the rotor to have a runout out condition which can lead to brake vibration concerns * Brake vibration issues can occur at parking lot to highway speeds * Brake vibration issues can occur at light to moderate braking * Tightening lug nuts in a star pattern method during the torqueing process will assure that even/equal pressure is applied across the rotor hub surface * Torque sticks/wrenches should be used to apply accurate torque values when tightening * Do Not use impact guns/ratchets to completely run lug nuts up to the wheel surface

Braking or not has no impact on the issue I’m experiencing. The issue wouldn’t go away after I let off the gas like it does now.

This is the exact thing I experienced on my ‘19 Off-road Premium. I hit 50 and it starts vibrating the wheel and footwell. I let off and it goes away. I checked 4H and it didn’t do it. Coasting won’t do it either.

So my question would be how safe is it to drive like this?? I’m not familiar with needle bearings or the like. Thanks.


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I have the same issue and only have 6k miles on my Runner. Right when I hit 50mph the steering wheel starts shaking up to 60mph and then it stops. Note that there’s is no sound associated with this vibration.

My question is once you brought your car to the dealership have they been able to fix this issue and if so what did they state the problem was?

Thanks in advance.

this sounds like the wheel balance issue. 4runners are incredibly sensitive to wheel balance. they need to be road force balanced with a haweka adapter and with the smart sensing functionality (whatever it is called) off for more accurate readings. It is an issue i've battled a lot with my t4r (got worse with aftermarket wheels and heavier tires).

Update;

Just as bigbwb, the dealer called me and stated they could not hear the noise or feel the vibration so I took a drive with the service manager and he did in fact notice the noise as I was driving.

Service manager said it sounds like a front wheel bearing so they are replacing the front driver side wheel bearing.

Interesting. Do you think it’s odd that it’s wheel bearing? I know with my issue if I let off the gas, the issue dissapears. I can’t imagine the wheel bearing would be effected by engine torque like the front diff is? I would imagine that if it’s a wheel bearing issue the sound/vibration would exist regardless of the engine torque/gas pedal application. But then again, I’m not a mechanic, ha!

Yes, I do think it’s odd since I have the same exact symptoms as your 4Runner.
But like you said I’m not a Toyota mechanic (although I do have an extensive background in that field) lol so I’m sure after they fix the bearing, the issue will still continue.