Front Diff Grinding/Groaning Cyclical Noise

I would be very disappointed if they did not fix the root cause or design flaw, if this is going to be an every "30K wear item" I'll go back to a Land Rover where its at least expected.
 
I dont think they changed anything

If they changed the part number they changed something.

If they didn’t change the pn and changed something then they might end up in the same boat as GM and their ignition lock problem.
I specifically use this as an example of how not to do design work when coaching Junior Engineers.
 
If they changed the part number they changed something.

If they didn’t change the pn and changed something then they might end up in the same boat as GM and their ignition lock problem.
I specifically use this as an example of how not to do design work when coaching Junior Engineers.
They changed the pn?
 
Just to add to the "successes" list... Had my ECGS bushing installed this evening and BAM driving home is a like a whole new truck. I don't think I realized how annoying and prevalent the hum/groan was until it is no longer there.

That being said, the ECGS tool's threaded rod was absurdly short for me, like only a few threads through the plate, and not enough to grab the rod and keep tension on it. Luckily we happened to have a much longer rod w/ the same thread pitch (intended for BMW RTAB's I think) that worked wonderfully
 
But still there is the issue that we are having (TWO) issues during this discussion about the front diff/Carrier issue. The one nobody is talking about is the failure to "fully" disengage the 4WD at the T-case. So, it keeps the front driveshaft slowly spinning, which causes the noise from the problematic carrier.
 
the front axles spin because we don't have unlockable hubs, the 4runner disconnects one of the front axles so they are not connected together
 
Has anyone been able to find what exactly is different/re-designed in their replacement diff?

Since it looks like there are a few owners outside the TSB vin range...later model 2019s that have this noise and I would assume an updated design as well from the factory.

Mine comes and goes, but most noticeable when below freezing, can not hear it when the temp is above 45F or so.

This is the only information I've seen:

"Some 2016-2019 Toyota 4Runner 4WD vehicles may exhibit a cyclical groaning/grinding noise from the front differential in 2WD that is not present in 4WD operation.

If the condition is confirmed, remove the front differential and install the new/revised front differential. A production change occurred at the Tahara factory starting with VIN JTEBU5JR#K5632980.

The previous front differential part number is 41110-35A91. The new part number is 41110-35A92."

That's a quote from Mitchell1 auto repair software.
 
the front axles spin because we don't have unlockable hubs, the 4runner disconnects one of the front axles so they are not connected together

That's not what I'm referring to. I know because we have Auto hubs, that causes the "axle shafts" to spin. I'm referring to the Driveshaft (Some call this a prop shaft) from the Transfer case to the front diff, is not fully disengaging.
When you switch from 4WD to 2WD, it should disengage and stop spinning the front driveshaft.
 
That's not what I'm referring to. I know because we have Auto hubs, that causes the "axle shafts" to spin. I'm referring to the Driveshaft (Some call this a prop shaft) from the Transfer case to the front diff, is not fully disengaging.
When you switch from 4WD to 2WD, it should disengage and stop spinning the front driveshaft.

Your prop shaft is connected to a spinning wheel
 
That's not what I'm referring to. I know because we have Auto hubs, that causes the "axle shafts" to spin. I'm referring to the Driveshaft (Some call this a prop shaft) from the Transfer case to the front diff, is not fully disengaging.
When you switch from 4WD to 2WD, it should disengage and stop spinning the front driveshaft.

That's not quite how it works.

The transfer case uses a dog clutch to disengage the front shaft. It is no longer directly mechanically driven. The front axle shaft on the driver's side will spin the spider gear that will then rotate against the other spider gears internally. Most of the rotating is balanced by the free spinning counter rotation on the other side of the spider gears as they are disconnected. However - friction between the spider gears will always apply some rotational moment to the carrier assembly. It then causes the carrier to spin slowly and that pushes the ring gear and slowly spins the pinion and the front drive shaft.

And that's a good thing. It keeps all the bearings lubricated and coated in gear oil.

Even in trucks with manual hubs that disconnect - the same thing happens. The front shaft will still spin slowly.

It should have no effect on this vibration issue.
 
This is the only information I've seen:

"Some 2016-2019 Toyota 4Runner 4WD vehicles may exhibit a cyclical groaning/grinding noise from the front differential in 2WD that is not present in 4WD operation.

If the condition is confirmed, remove the front differential and install the new/revised front differential. A production change occurred at the Tahara factory starting with VIN JTEBU5JR#K5632980.

The previous front differential part number is 41110-35A91. The new part number is 41110-35A92."

That's a quote from Mitchell1 auto repair software.

As an update Toyota did replace the front Diff with part number 41110-35A92. Let's hope this will last longer than the last one.
 
Late update but I finally got my truck back after the fix and everything went great. Dropped the truck at the dealer Monday afternoon after work and picked it up Tuesday afternoon. No noises or vibrations thankfully, it drives just like new! The service girl said it took about 5 hours altogether and that was the remove/install and test drive plus a wash and vacuum of the interior.

Thank you to everyone on here for the links to TSB's and sharing the initial issues. I drove myself crazy trying to figure it out before I found this thread!
 
Update on mine....dealer drove it and acknowledged the noises again. They are putting me in a loaner tomorrow and keeping it until it’s fixed. I showed them this thread and what the culprit seems to be. They have not given me any hint of what they are going to do. We shall see.
 
My 2019 started doing this at about 27K. Took it into the dealer this morning, showed them the tsb, and they've ordered a new differential. I was shocked at how easy this was, as I was fully expecting the usual "no problem found" result.
 
I had this exact issue on my ‘17 w/ 38,000 miles. I decided to have the ecgs clamshell bushing installed and that completely solved the problem. Cost me $240 installed and the truck drives like new again. It’s worth checking out...


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