Keep reading here about a needle bearing the wears on the driver’s side of the differential creating play in the CV axle. Also reading that there’s an outfit on the East Coast which makes and sells a bushing that corrects this. Well at 308K miles, I definitely have the wear problem and suspect that it is the cause of the remaining wobble while braking from highway speed (steering wheel pulse at ~60 mph is gone).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2IPfwBKb2E&feature=youtu.be

Who makes and sells the part? How hard is it to install?

East Coast Gear Supply makes the replacement bushing for the needle bearing in the front "clamshell".

TOYOTA 8" CLAMSHELL CV AXLE BUSHING

I just had it installed at about 118K. Not so much because the needle bearing was worn but more so because the inner CV joint seal blew for the second time on me. First time was replaced under warranty at around 45K. So the second seal lasted longer but I figured since they were going to be in that part of the Diff anyway, might as well do the needle bearing replacement. I was getting a slight rumble from the front just around 20 mph. It was a faint rumble more closely resembling driving on a rumble-strip but not that pronounced.

I had it done at a local, trusted mechanic so I can't tell you how hard it was. They billed me for 2 hours of labor to do it. I don't have the confidence to mess with spilling gear oil and pulling steering links, steering knuckle, pulling the CV out etc. to do it on my own. Others have done it themselves in their driveway so you be the judge based on your skill, patience and confidence level for these types of jobs. I did buy the removal tool that ECGS sells and left it with the mechanic as a favor since the tool would see more use at their shop than in my spare parts bin at home.

No more rumble from the front end.

We do not get the rumble or groan sound. Just the looseness shown in the video and noted wobble while braking.

I would buy the bushing and removal tool, new seal and install tool and hand it over to our trusted mechanic near our Montana home. I watched the install video and I am not adverse to doing the job, but my wife will be up there in Montana with the truck for the next month plus, while I’m down in SoCal punching FaceTime and badge swipes at my employer’s office and doing the work collaboration they so miss out of us slaves.