Excess play front axle question - Toyota 4Runner Forum

futz_roy · 04-19-2022, 02:59 PM

I was in the dealership for a rotate and balance for my 2018 TRD 4Runner. They came back and said that when the suspension is loaded with vehicle weight they noticed front axle had excess play. They suggested replacing front axle. I was pretty shocked to hear this for a vehicle so new. Is this total BS? Any insight is greatly appreciated.

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CutthroatSlam · 04-19-2022, 03:20 PM

What do they mean by excess play? This sounds like a suspension issue than an axle issue. There should be no play in a CV a axle.

BillsRunner · 04-19-2022, 03:22 PM

I've been having the dreaded needle bearing or front diff noise/vibration. Posted elsewhere on this site. I shook both axles just to see what's up (only 9K on her) and there was play. I asked the service manager at the dealership I trust if that was normal or could be causing vibration/noise. He responded that it was normal and many shops will cite it as a reason to replace. Any techs out there know for sure?

futz_roy · 04-19-2022, 04:15 PM

My plan was to check it out in my driveway when I get home, but would love to know more about what is “normal” vs excessive.

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honda250xtitan · 04-19-2022, 05:42 PM

ive been told by experienced toyota guys the passenger cv has a touch of play, driver should be tight. YMMV. good luck.

ProLee · 04-19-2022, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honda250xtitan

ive been told by experienced toyota guys the passenger cv has a touch of play, driver should be tight. YMMV. good luck.

Actually mines is the opposite, passenger had little to no play and the driver one flopped around. Talked to a Senior Toyota tech and he said this was normal, I went ahead and replaced the needle bearing with an ECGS bearing and most of the play went away. To the OP....if their going to replace it under warranty I would let them, see how much they would charge you to replace the bearing while they are in that area.

2021nightshade4x4 · 04-19-2022, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by futz_roy

I was in the dealership for a rotate and balance for my 2018 TRD 4Runner. They came back and said that when the suspension is loaded with vehicle weight they noticed front axle had excess play. They suggested replacing front axle. I was pretty shocked to hear this for a vehicle so new. Is this total BS? Any insight is greatly appreciated.

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Are you under warranty? If so… DO IT

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2021nightshade4x4 · 04-19-2022, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillsRunner

I've been having the dreaded needle bearing or front diff noise/vibration. Posted elsewhere on this site. I shook both axles just to see what's up (only 9K on her) and there was play. I asked the service manager at the dealership I trust if that was normal or could be causing vibration/noise. He responded that it was normal and many shops will cite it as a reason to replace. Any techs out there know for sure?

Sounds like the manager just doesn’t want any warranty work for his best friend turning wrenches.

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BlackWorksInc · 04-19-2022, 10:55 PM

The way the front diffs are one of the axles have a bit more "wiggle" than the other (I want to say the driver's side? it's been a while since I tested it). I remember I almost made a mistake and recommended a new axle and/or diff to someone until I verified it on another same year/model Tacoma.

We've been swapping out the factory needle bearings for bushings on our lift kits, haven't had any issues. I forget who we're using for the bushings though...

But if you're not experiencing any vibration, abnormal sounds, leaking axle seals, or anything out of the ordinary; I'd say it's probably perfectly fine.

futz_roy · 04-20-2022, 09:38 AM

They sent a video of the play in the axle.
When I was under the car, there was the same amount of play on the driver side and passenger side.
Any additional insight on if this is normal or excessive/unacceptable is greatly appreciated.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CRF0Z5UOBDk

futz_roy · 04-20-2022, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackWorksInc

The way the front diffs are one of the axles have a bit more "wiggle" than the other (I want to say the driver's side? it's been a while since I tested it). I remember I almost made a mistake and recommended a new axle and/or diff to someone until I verified it on another same year/model Tacoma.

We've been swapping out the factory needle bearings for bushings on our lift kits, haven't had any issues. I forget who we're using for the bushings though...

But if you're not experiencing any vibration, abnormal sounds, leaking axle seals, or anything out of the ordinary; I'd say it's probably perfectly fine.

Not experiencing any of the conditions that you noted, but will likely take it somewhere for a second opinion.

BillsRunner · 04-20-2022, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackWorksInc

The way the front diffs are one of the axles have a bit more "wiggle" than the other (I want to say the driver's side? it's been a while since I tested it). I remember I almost made a mistake and recommended a new axle and/or diff to someone until I verified it on another same year/model Tacoma.

We've been swapping out the factory needle bearings for bushings on our lift kits, haven't had any issues. I forget who we're using for the bushings though...

But if you're not experiencing any vibration, abnormal sounds, leaking axle seals, or anything out of the ordinary; I'd say it's probably perfectly fine.

I do have that vibration from 42 or so down to 35 or so. Goes away in 4WD so I do suspect the needle bearing. Going in next week and hoping for some relief. I believe the bearing most folks use is East Coast? Ours is under warranty for 10 years or 100K so I'm hoping not to have to go rogue but might have to. We'll see!

DougR · 04-20-2022, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by futz_roy

They sent a video of the play in the axle.
When I was under the car, there was the same amount of play on the driver side and passenger side.
Any additional insight on if this is normal or excessive/unacceptable is greatly appreciated.

April 20, 2022 - YouTube

My CV axle moves like this. However, this video doesn't help much. The tech should have measured total movement with a dial indicator. Then we would have a number to compare with ours.

Get a specific diagnosis in writing. What is the spec for replacement? What symptom(s) do they observe? What does a dial indicator read? What parts do they recommend? Who pays? (I think there is no spec.)

Gclark949 · 04-24-2022, 04:19 AM

My driver side has a bunch of play, maybe 0.060”. From the forum I somehow concluded this is normal. No leak and no vibrations.

Jakeepoo3 · 04-24-2022, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by futz_roy

They sent a video of the play in the axle.
When I was under the car, there was the same amount of play on the driver side and passenger side.
Any additional insight on if this is normal or excessive/unacceptable is greatly appreciated.

April 20, 2022 - YouTube

That lateral, side to side, play is no good. There should be a small amount of straight in and out play. I had the same thing happen on the driver side at 100,000 miles. Caused a vibration in the steering wheel under acceleration. I caught it way before it got as bad as yours is. I made a video the same way you did if you want to check it out to see the comparison. New axle time! You can refurbish them OEM gold bricks before they get really bad. I've been abusing the sh1t out of $60 A1 Cardones on the trail over a year smooth as a cloud so far. Kept OEMs for trail back ups. Here it's the vid link.

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