Jeremy556
New member
Just use a long breaker bar for removal and install. You can get a long one at HF for $14 that will easily do the job.
Front Diff Grinding/Groaning Cyclical Noise
- Thread starter MikeYQM
- Start date
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
Didn't realize that this affected the 4th gens too, maybe that's what the grinding was on my 08 when I traded it in...
Vindicated and Resolved
I took my 4Runner to the dealer for its 15K maintenance and this groan/vibration issue. I had a very detailed discussion with the tech that included a mention of the TSB, that I could feel/hear the groan/vibration specifically at 38-40 mph in my foot (not the steering wheel), that the groan/vibration was repetitive (not a steady groan of large mud tires), that it went away in 4WD, and mentioning this forum discussion. I also mentioned that it appeared to go away during warm weather, which is the only point inconsistent with what others have mentioned. Because this issue was previously checked by the dealer and the other tech could not detect the groan, this tech had to involve his service manager — thankfully, the service manager confirmed the sound and authorized the NEEDLE BEARING repair. Luckily, they also had the necessary part and made the fix.
No groan/vibration — so far.
Special thanks to Catrains for his insight on this issue in the other post and here!
I took my 4Runner to the dealer for its 15K maintenance and this groan/vibration issue. I had a very detailed discussion with the tech that included a mention of the TSB, that I could feel/hear the groan/vibration specifically at 38-40 mph in my foot (not the steering wheel), that the groan/vibration was repetitive (not a steady groan of large mud tires), that it went away in 4WD, and mentioning this forum discussion. I also mentioned that it appeared to go away during warm weather, which is the only point inconsistent with what others have mentioned. Because this issue was previously checked by the dealer and the other tech could not detect the groan, this tech had to involve his service manager — thankfully, the service manager confirmed the sound and authorized the NEEDLE BEARING repair. Luckily, they also had the necessary part and made the fix.
No groan/vibration — so far.
Special thanks to Catrains for his insight on this issue in the other post and here!
Going away in warm weather is not inconsistent. Mine and other comments I’ve seen is that it is much more pronounced and noticeable in cold weather. It doesn’t go away in warm weather but jockeying in an out of 4wd can make it almost unnoticeable.
I meant inconsist with the descriptions others provided; i.e., I didn’t see that anyone else described the groan/vibration as being unnoticeable on warm days. Like everyone else though, when I could detect the groan/vibration (on cold days), engaging 4WD made it go away (or be unnoticeable) like you mentioned. Mine seemed to be totally unnoticeable on warm days even when I carefully listed for it. My dealer (it was/still is under warranty) was not willing to go the extra step after driving it & engaging 4WD to actually look at the bearing the first time I raised this issue because the groan/vibration was unnoticeable at the time.
Question - the TSB says that a ball joint puller is required for the needle bearing repair. Is this true? I'm debating if I want to have this repaired under warranty or just do it myself. I've never actually had a mechanic or dealership make a car repair to one of my vehicles before and worry about having a ball joint or ball joint boot screwed up during this repair, which I'm perfectly comfortable doing myself.
I think the only thing you might need a puller for is the steering tie rod. I did ask in another thread, and someone said you could do it without disconnecting the tie rod end or even the hub side of the driveshaft, but most recommend disconnecting to have much more room to work. And you'll need a puller for the bearing itself, ECGS sells one. If you're comfortable doing it, get the ECGS bushing and do it. That's what I'm planning on.
BigHawaiian
Junior Member
Gen 5 2018 4runner front diff groaning noise
I have a 2018 SR5 with 38k. I went in for service today for this and the service manager went out with me and could hear the groan and feel it vibrate through the floor and steering wheel. It would dissappear when the 4wd was engaged. When we got back to the shop the service writer had the TSB up and they are now ordering me a complete front differential - under warranty. (Note the noise was becoming louder the more I drove it. Noticed it about the last 2 months. Most notable in the 30-40mph but did at highway speeds)
TO41110-35A92 CARRIER ASSY, DIF for the tune of about $1485.
Felt lucky I did not have to fight for this one. Helped having the service manager experience it. The SM also said they have done a few of these already and that the 2018 was added to the TSB.
I have a 2018 SR5 with 38k. I went in for service today for this and the service manager went out with me and could hear the groan and feel it vibrate through the floor and steering wheel. It would dissappear when the 4wd was engaged. When we got back to the shop the service writer had the TSB up and they are now ordering me a complete front differential - under warranty. (Note the noise was becoming louder the more I drove it. Noticed it about the last 2 months. Most notable in the 30-40mph but did at highway speeds)
TO41110-35A92 CARRIER ASSY, DIF for the tune of about $1485.
Felt lucky I did not have to fight for this one. Helped having the service manager experience it. The SM also said they have done a few of these already and that the 2018 was added to the TSB.
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
Replacing the whole front dif for a needle bearing? :dizzy:
I noticed I have this same issue the other day when driving in single digit temps. I saw how easy it is to replace the needle bearing with the ecgs bushing, so I'm not even going to worry about getting this covered under warranty.
When it warms up in the spring I'll change the front and rear diff fluid, add breather tube extensions, and change the needle bearing out for the ecgs bushing.
When it warms up in the spring I'll change the front and rear diff fluid, add breather tube extensions, and change the needle bearing out for the ecgs bushing.
[email protected]
New member
Needle Bearing/Front Diff Grinding Noise
Thanks for posting this string - using the information I brought mine in referencing TSB 0026-15. Dealership ended up pointing me to a TSB #0012-19 and replaced the front differential. Hope this might be helpful.
Thanks for posting this string - using the information I brought mine in referencing TSB 0026-15. Dealership ended up pointing me to a TSB #0012-19 and replaced the front differential. Hope this might be helpful.
Salvo Jimmy
Member
I could not find the actual T-SB but saw info that indicates it is Rev 1 dated 7 Feb 2019
Date might be date posted on dealer site I saw it on. Can’t pull it up as I don’t have login access.
Last edited:
I just saw that TSB few minutes ago. The front diff is to be replaced, but it's on back order and might not get here until March.
Salvo Jimmy
Member
Question remains, is the replacement diff any different/better.
Obviously the fix approach is different in that the diff is being replaced, not just the needle bearing
