Front Diff Grinding/Groaning Cyclical Noise

[MikeYQM]

Since mid summer I have had the Front Diff Grinding/Groaning Cyclical noise. Sounds like a wheel bearing starting to go. It’s most noticeable in the 80-100km/hr range and goes away completely of 4wd is engaged.

It’s identical to the TSB T-SB-0026-15.

I took it to the dealer last week, however the tech “could not hear the noise”. I even took the tech out for a drive to show him and didn’t showed it to him. However the tech response didn’t change.

I can clearly hear the noise and feel the vibration even when music or road noise drown it out. When he checked the side bearing, he noted “some play” but the only diagnostic is purely subjective on this issue. The dealership service manager refused to do anything since the tech claimed he couldn’t hear the noise.

What should my next step be? I have Toyota ECP until 100000km, but I’m at about 93000 km now.

Thanks,


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[MikeYQM]

The TSB can be found here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/attac...ront-differential-groaning-cyclical-noise.pdf

The vehicle is also covered under power train warranty


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[cbielat]

Could be a blown needle bearing

 

[thevanillagorilla]

Could be a blown needle bearing

This

 

[MeefZah]

Could be a blown needle bearing

That is most likely what it is. I had to go back to the dealer twice to get them to "hear the noise" and to feel it. I coerced the tech into driving with me so I could clearly point it out to him. After he heard / felt it, the dealership replaced the needle bearing under warranty.

Note that if you are lifted, it's going to happen again if you replace it with OEM. Me, personally, I've quit giving a shit, but if you want it done right try and get them to put in the ECGS bushing.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Since mid summer I have had the Front Diff Grinding/Groaning Cyclical noise. Sounds like a wheel bearing starting to go. It’s most noticeable in the 80-100km/hr range and goes away completely of 4wd is engaged.

It’s identical to the TSB T-SB-0026-15.

I took it to the dealer last week, however the tech “could not hear the noise”. I even took the tech out for a drive to show him and didn’t showed it to him. However the tech response didn’t change.

I can clearly hear the noise and feel the vibration even when music or road noise drown it out. When he checked the side bearing, he noted “some play” but the only diagnostic is purely subjective on this issue. The dealership service manager refused to do anything since the tech claimed he couldn’t hear the noise.

What should my next step be? I have Toyota ECP until 100000km, but I’m at about 93000 km now.

Thanks,


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Try a different dealership. Or contact corporate :thumb3:

Definitely sounds like a needle bearing, had mine replaced at 45k. Asked the dealership if they could replace with the East Coast Gear Supply bushing, but they wouldn't. So I went with the OEM replacement and once it goes out again (out of warranty) I will replace it with the ECGS myself.

 

[Salvo Jimmy]

TSB was revised June 2018

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.

 

[MikeYQM]

Thanks for the input. Did anyone have issues getting this covered due to lift or mods?

Has anyone done this repair themselves? If so any specialty knowledge or equipment needed?

Thanks again


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[MeefZah]

Thanks for the input. Did anyone have issues getting this covered due to lift or mods?

Has anyone done this repair themselves? If so any specialty knowledge or equipment needed?

Thanks again


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Dealer did mine with a 2.5" lift and never said a word about it, which frankly surprised me.

 

[catrains]

since you hear the noise and the tech did not the toyota tech most likely does not use ear plugs when he uses an air gun .. has a hearing loss.

I would get another dealership or ask for a different tech to check it out.

play in the front diff output shafts will be slight but an unskilled tech may have a lack of knowledge about this ..

under warranty must keep documents on your compliant with this issue or any issue ..

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I had this exact same issue and it was the needle bearing. Mine got worse over time and they were able to identify it right away. I would either try a different dealership or escalate up your issue to a service manager and refer them to the TSB, this is definitely what is causing your issue. Also, if you go into 4WD it should go away, that is one of the things they test for in the TSB

 

[Kazzy4RNR]

Since mid summer I have had the Front Diff Grinding/Groaning Cyclical noise. Sounds like a wheel bearing starting to go. It’s most noticeable in the 80-100km/hr range and goes away completely of 4wd is engaged.

It’s identical to the TSB T-SB-0026-15.

I took it to the dealer last week, however the tech “could not hear the noise”. I even took the tech out for a drive to show him and didn’t showed it to him. However the tech response didn’t change.

I can clearly hear the noise and feel the vibration even when music or road noise drown it out. When he checked the side bearing, he noted “some play” but the only diagnostic is purely subjective on this issue. The dealership service manager refused to do anything since the tech claimed he couldn’t hear the noise.

What should my next step be? I have Toyota ECP until 100000km, but I’m at about 93000 km now.

Thanks,


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This discussion is ongoing in another post dating a couple years back. Many of us are having this problem with mixed results on getting it repaired. As I posted on the other page, I bought my 2017 in October. I started noticing this groaning/vibration in the cold months and had it checked by the dealer who punted the issue to the company that did my aftermarket modifications (at the direction of the dealer) as an alignment issue stemming from the lift. Well, the weather turned warmer about the same time and no one could seem to hear/feel the groan/vibration. I even asked the dealer to review TSB-0026 -15. The service manager seemed to dismiss it because - like here - the tech couldn’t hear it. As I mentioned, the groan/vibration appeared to go away during the warm months, but has recently started again. I am going back to the dealer with TSB-0026-15_REV and point out the needle bearing issue AGAIN. Like the original post here, I’m at that point of “what should I do next” if the dealer refuses to check?

I’m glad to see at least some of us getting this addressed!

 

[Gt4r]

I replaced the needle bearing with the bushing from ECGS years ago. If you can pull a cv axle, you can replace the bushing. Lots of youtube videos on the issue and the install.

 

[epjfsa]

Two weeks ago, I started to notice the very distinct noise that a drivetrain bearing makes when it needs replaced. Debating whether I want to bother with convincing a dealer to carry out a warranty repair, or just do it myself with the bushing.

 

[MikeYQM]

Two weeks ago, I started to notice the very distinct noise that a drivetrain bearing makes when it needs replaced. Debating whether I want to bother with convincing a dealer to carry out a warranty repair, or just do it myself with the bushing.

This is where I’m at. The bushing is cheap, and I don’t mind putting in an upgraded part for a few $ and my time versus fighting with the dealer to put in a part that may fail again. I may just say screw the dealer and go with the bushing. I’ve never pulled a CV joint, but have done virtually all other work myself on the truck.


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[ASUMTNEER]

I have similar symptoms on my 2010 trail, but I primarily see issues with the 2015 and up. Does this happen to early 5th gens as well? You'd think they're made the same.

 

[nb rob]

This is where I’m at. The bushing is cheap, and I don’t mind putting in an upgraded part for a few $ and my time versus fighting with the dealer to put in a part that may fail again. I may just say screw the dealer and go with the bushing. I’ve never pulled a CV joint, but have done virtually all other work myself on the truck.


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Shoot me a message if you do it. I’d be happy to take a drive to Moncton to help out.
I might wind up adding this bushing one day

 

[renau001]

I’d be curious to know for anybody that’s done this. Can you leave the CV axle attached to the hub and just remove the side attached to the diff?

 

[Jeremy556]

I have similar symptoms on my 2010 trail, but I primarily see issues with the 2015 and up. Does this happen to early 5th gens as well? You'd think they're made the same.

The same problem has been present from 2003 to current.

I’d be curious to know for anybody that’s done this. Can you leave the CV axle attached to the hub and just remove the side attached to the diff?

I don't recall if it would be physically possible, but I can't see a reason to do so. Once you have it that far apart, the hub is just one more nut and you then have tons of room to work with.

 

[renau001]

I don't recall if it would be physically possible, but I can't see a reason to do so. Once you have it that far apart, the hub is just one more nut and you then have tons of room to work with.

Thanks, my only reason for considering is I don’t have an impact wrench for removal nor a torque wrench that goes to 173ft-lbs for install. I know there’s other options without that, but just thinking.