Front Diff Grinding/Groaning Cyclical Noise

[Mass 4runner]

Thanks Mass 4runner! If I call, anyone should speak with there?

You're welcome! I just made the appointment online then went in, carefully described the symptoms, gave the tsb # and told them it matched exactly what I was experiencing. I don't have anyone's name in particular but most of the service writers there seem OK.

 

[Matt831]

Just had the front diff replaced under the TSB by a local dealer in NJ. They have always been super easy to work with and helpful.

Took a drive with the tech but unfortunately it was a bit warmer temperature wise that day and the front diff barely made the noise. I described the problem and he said more then likely the front diff.

Made an appt to bring the truck in for possibly the diff or spider bearing, got a call the next day and said they will no longer do the spider bearing only and they ordered me a diff, took a few days to get in. He did mention they were on backorder. One day to replace and the noise is gone. Drove on a cold morning last weekend and all was silent.

Mine had made the cyclical groaning noise at between 35-50, mostly when coasting and went away in 4HI. About 9300 miles on truck when I took in for replacement diff.

My truck is a March 2019 build. And at first I was not sure if it fell in the VIN range for application of the TSB.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

Just had the front diff replaced under the TSB by a local dealer in NJ. They have always been super easy to work with and helpful.

Took a drive with the tech but unfortunately it was a bit warmer temperature wise that day and the front diff barely made the noise. I described the problem and he said more then likely the front diff.

Made an appt to bring the truck in for possibly the diff or spider bearing, got a call the next day and said they will no longer do the spider bearing only and they ordered me a diff, took a few days to get in. He did mention they were on backorder. One day to replace and the noise is gone. Drove on a cold morning last weekend and all was silent.

Mine had made the cyclical groaning noise at between 35-50, mostly when coasting and went away in 4HI. About 9300 miles on truck when I took in for replacement diff.

My truck is a March 2019 build. And at first I was not sure if it fell in the VIN range for application of the TSB.

May I ask which dealer you are referring to in NJ?

 

[Matt831]

Fred Beans in Flemington.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

Fred Beans in Flemington.

Thank you

 

[TheFlamingPoo]

Does this TSB apply to the Limited also? I have the same noise on my 2016 Limited.

I'm wondering the same thing. My 2015 LE has the same whirring/cyclic noise.

Starts at around 45km/h at 1200rpm and is more noticeable on cold days. However recently, when I switched from to H4L from H4F the noise is much more noticeable. I always feel it in dead pedal, floor, brake pedal, and often up in the steering wheel.

I don't normally do any driving in H4L.

I've been to the dealership and they keep telling me there is absolutely nothing wrong with my vehicle but I disagree. I'm just trying to figure out if there is potential for needle bearing wear in the AWD models.

Any help for Limited owners here?

 

[Jetboy]

Does this TSB apply to the Limited also? I have the same noise on my 2016 Limited.

No. It shouldn't. The Limited should never have this issue and I'm not sure it even has the same bearing. That bearing only spins in 2wd. That's why the identification is to put in 4wd and it goes away - it's because in 4wd the bearing doesn't spin, so the noise is gone.

Anyway - your issue is something else. Sorry that's not much help.

 

[jfm1982]

I'm wondering the same thing. My 2015 LE has the same whirring/cyclic noise.

Starts at around 45km/h at 1200rpm and is more noticeable on cold days. However recently, when I switched from to H4L from H4F the noise is much more noticeable. I always feel it in dead pedal, floor, brake pedal, and often up in the steering wheel.

I don't normally do any driving in H4L.

I've been to the dealership and they keep telling me there is absolutely nothing wrong with my vehicle but I disagree. I'm just trying to figure out if there is potential for needle bearing wear in the AWD models.

Any help for Limited owners here?

I just changed my tires on the Limited and the noise is pretty much all gone. The noise is really worst when its -20c. I guess it was the tires. I only have 17500 km on my 2016.

 

[Francheckler]

I got a used 2011 LE last year with 82k and I noticed a similar sound this last winter. I can’t hear it or feel it in this warmer weather. I’m wondering what it is.

 

[TheFlamingPoo]

I just changed my tires on the Limited and the noise is pretty much all gone. The noise is really worst when its -20c. I guess it was the tires. I only have 17500 km on my 2016.

Dealership installed new tires last Sept and the noise was still there for me afterwards. The whirring noise and vibration is only heard/felt while under throttle, as soon as I lift my foot everything goes quiet.

Dealership thinks I'm crazy.

 

[Jetboy]

Dealership installed new tires last Sept and the noise was still there for me afterwards. The whirring noise and vibration is only heard/felt while under throttle, as soon as I lift my foot everything goes quiet.

Dealership thinks I'm crazy.

There's a lot of different bearings and bushings in the vehicle. It's really hard to know when it could be any one of them. This is about the only one you can pretty easily rule out on a limited.

 

[Blackdog99]

Does anyone know if they are replacing front Diff's under the TSB for 2014 4runner's? (currently 86K miles, and bought used at 74K miles)
Thanks in advance!

 

[<<<<]

East Cost Gear Supply makes needle bearing replacement sleeve because OEM needle bearing fail under 50K miles due to faulty design. See inner race wear marks:

ECGS solution:

<iframe width="1600" height="900" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BOvoM5irtEc?list=PLaX0YktJvGQuk-Xge30aZX-EXwvlKNUVK" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[smeerun]

I did the ECGS bushing. Worked out great. Perfect since.

Hey Renau,

Did you replace this yourself or have a shop do it? If you replaced it yourself could you outline the tools you used?

I am having this exact issue on my '16 @ 101K miles and looks like I need to order the ECGS bushing and do this myself.

Any advice is helpful, thanks!
~smee

 

[renau001]

Hey Renau,

Did you replace this yourself or have a shop do it? If you replaced it yourself could you outline the tools you used?

I am having this exact issue on my '16 @ 101K miles and looks like I need to order the ECGS bushing and do this myself.

Any advice is helpful, thanks!
~smee

I ended up getting the ECGS replaced, but it was done as "warranty" work to replace the needle bearing. Found a really good mechanic at a Toyota dealership that had done a bunch, he also ended up doing my takata airbag recall replacement without having to pull out the whole dash. He was awesome.

I would have done it, if it wasn't under warranty, and had I not lucked into that. There's plenty of good videos including on the ECGS website, and they sell the tool, as long as you can remove your front driver side driveshaft (CV axle).

 

[<<<<]

I went DIY route and it was fairly easy. If you do it make sure you gather all tools before you start including special tools such as: slide hammer and torque wrench capable of 172 ft/lbs. I rented mine from Autozone for free. Axle removal will take most of your time and effort. Here is a great write up about that (just remember you need driver side):

Step-By-Step Replacement Of Front Axle Seal On Your 5th Gen 4Runner

 

[smeerun]

I ended up getting the ECGS replaced, but it was done as "warranty" work to replace the needle bearing. Found a really good mechanic at a Toyota dealership that had done a bunch, he also ended up doing my takata airbag recall replacement without having to pull out the whole dash. He was awesome.

I would have done it, if it wasn't under warranty, and had I not lucked into that. There's plenty of good videos including on the ECGS website, and they sell the tool, as long as you can remove your front driver side driveshaft (CV axle).

I went DIY route and it was fairly easy. If you do it make sure you gather all tools before you start including special tools such as: slide hammer and torque wrench capable of 172 ft/lbs. I rented mine from Autozone for free. Axle removal will take most of your time and effort. Here is a great write up about that (just remember you need driver side):

Step-By-Step Replacement Of Front Axle Seal On Your 5th Gen 4Runner

Good info here, thank you both! I will plan on doing this work myself. Will be a uh.... fun project. >.<

 

[VBRover]

Had this issue and repaired under the TSB shown below, now after 10k miles the same issue is back. Has anyone had this issue come back twice? For reference its a 2019 w/52,000. The TSB was completed at 42,000. Thanks for any input.

 

[JeuTheIdit]

Good info here, thank you both! I will plan on doing this work myself. Will be a uh.... fun project. >.<

Here is a video from ECGS pulling the needle bearing out (using their pull out tool that you can buy) and putting the bushing in (also using a punch you can buy). Does not seem too hard. The tools are expensive for never being used again, but is worth it to me. I plan to do this when I install my lift later this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnA_R3gFf2s&feature=emb_logo

 

[arehman11]

Had this issue and repaired under the TSB shown below, now after 10k miles the same issue is back. Has anyone had this issue come back twice? For reference its a 2019 w/52,000. The TSB was completed at 42,000. Thanks for any input.

Mine was replaced at 42k miles and now it’s doing it again at 46k. I had a new diff installed under the TSB. Just going to go ahead and do the ECGS upgrade.