Thanks for the reply. I was really hoping on not having to do any major wrenching on a 2019 4runner, I have a Land Rover for that.
Seems like Toyota has not really figured out the issue yet.
Front Diff Grinding/Groaning Cyclical Noise
- Thread starter MikeYQM
- Start date
Thanks for the reply. I was really hoping on not having to do any major wrenching on a 2019 4runner, I have a Land Rover for that.
Seems like Toyota has not really figured out the issue yet.
Too funny, my 4runner and Tacoma need to be wrenched on frequently lol. Both of our BMW‘s on the other hand, 100% reliable with no issues of any kind. To be fair the 4Runner needs wrenching due to my mods and me breaking things though.
Dusting off this thread for a quick question.
I presume even the newest 4Runners are still using the exact same diff/needle bearing design? I bought a 2021 TRD Off Road in February, and drove it to Colorado (600 miles) with about 2,500 miles total on the truck. By the time I got to Colorado, the front diff was making this low rumbling noise exactly as described in this thread. And it does indeed go away when put into 4H.
Anyway, I ran around in Colorado for a few days and it continued the whole time, including on the drive home (although it's most noticeable between 20-40mph, and especially when decellerating/coasting, presumably because there is less motor/tire noise to drown it out).
Anyway, when I got home, and resumed normal in-town driving, and no extended highway drives, it went completely away!
Then, fast forward to TODAY, some 8 months later, and I am in Colorado again. The noise has returned! It seems almost CERTAINLY to occur after prolonged highway use ONLY. And a simple 45 minute highway run won't cause it, but multiple hour drives like today and it is back, pretty much identical as before. The truck now still only has 6K miles on it!!
Anyway, just mostly looking to confirm that the same exact diff and needle bearing design is still being used in the new trucks?
Thanks in advance.
JA
I presume even the newest 4Runners are still using the exact same diff/needle bearing design? I bought a 2021 TRD Off Road in February, and drove it to Colorado (600 miles) with about 2,500 miles total on the truck. By the time I got to Colorado, the front diff was making this low rumbling noise exactly as described in this thread. And it does indeed go away when put into 4H.
Anyway, I ran around in Colorado for a few days and it continued the whole time, including on the drive home (although it's most noticeable between 20-40mph, and especially when decellerating/coasting, presumably because there is less motor/tire noise to drown it out).
Anyway, when I got home, and resumed normal in-town driving, and no extended highway drives, it went completely away!
Then, fast forward to TODAY, some 8 months later, and I am in Colorado again. The noise has returned! It seems almost CERTAINLY to occur after prolonged highway use ONLY. And a simple 45 minute highway run won't cause it, but multiple hour drives like today and it is back, pretty much identical as before. The truck now still only has 6K miles on it!!
Anyway, just mostly looking to confirm that the same exact diff and needle bearing design is still being used in the new trucks?
Thanks in advance.
JA
Redsoxx1918
New member
I have a rumbling noise that comes from the rear of my vehicle when traveling in reverse. Back into the dealership tomorrow for my 30k mile service so I'll have them take a look. So far I've had both front shocks replaced under the TSB, left rear shock replaced, and now I've got the rumbling noise along with a knocking sound coming from the right front of the vehicle when going over any rough pavement. Throw in my steering wheel shake at 60mph and this is probably the most trouble I've had with any relatively new vehicle. It's worth more than I paid two years ago so I'd probably trade it in if there were any new vehicles on the lot.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Appreciate the response, Greydog.
So did you just decide to do the ECGS solution yourself, or did you get Toyota to install it under warranty?
I guess I am just surprised that Toyota has known that this needle bearing is suspect and have even issued a TSB for it, but they continue to manufacture the diffs the same way.
That said, I have another 5th Gen 4Runner (2011) with 130K miles on it, and it has NEVER exhibited the issue. Just curious why some 4Runners make it to 130K miles with no issues, and then my new one started it at less than 3K miles from new!!
JA
So did you just decide to do the ECGS solution yourself, or did you get Toyota to install it under warranty?
I guess I am just surprised that Toyota has known that this needle bearing is suspect and have even issued a TSB for it, but they continue to manufacture the diffs the same way.
That said, I have another 5th Gen 4Runner (2011) with 130K miles on it, and it has NEVER exhibited the issue. Just curious why some 4Runners make it to 130K miles with no issues, and then my new one started it at less than 3K miles from new!!
JA
Salvo Jimmy
Member
Can you provide TSB number. Came up dry on several searches
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Teamoatmealpie
New member
They replaced the shocks under the diff TSB? or a different TSB?
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Redsoxx1918
New member
Salvo Jimmy
Member
Thanks, N/A to my SR5
Were either of yours lifted? I believe it's been mostly a problem on lifted trucks. I have installed 3" Rough and Readylift lifts on about 10 of these and have had 3 of them started the groaning within a week or 3 of installing the lift. 2 of them started the day the lift was installed. One of them (2019 model with 30K miles) had the dealer replace the needle bearing and that fixed it for a month then it started again. The dealer recommended the ECGS bearing but said they couldn't install it under warranty since it's an aftermarket part, and were hesitant to even do the needle bearing because of the lift (said they'd have to leave that info out of their documentation).
I have a 2021 that I put a 3" Readylift on in March at 1200 miles and it now has 6,200 miles on it and no noise so far.
Greydog
Member
Hi JA, I diagnosed the issue myself and had a local shop install the ECGS bushing.
Long story short, the local dealer can’t get much warranty work done on my truck due to mods I have in it vs the regional reps opinions/BS.
As others noted, adding a lift seems to make the problem worse, less common on stock vehicles at sub-warranty expiration mileage.
Perhaps buy the bearing and seals now, live with it as long as you can, save for the labor costs, and get it done when comvienent?
Good luck, and enjoy the Runner!
Long story short, the local dealer can’t get much warranty work done on my truck due to mods I have in it vs the regional reps opinions/BS.
As others noted, adding a lift seems to make the problem worse, less common on stock vehicles at sub-warranty expiration mileage.
Perhaps buy the bearing and seals now, live with it as long as you can, save for the labor costs, and get it done when comvienent?
Good luck, and enjoy the Runner!
BillsRunner
New member
2021 Front diff replacement - whining
Purchased our 2021 Premium in March of 2021. I thought I heard it after about 6,000 miles and at 7,500 it became noticeable, the cyclical whining sound when decelerating especially on a corner and especially when turning right. The service manager took it for a test drive and confirmed. Toyota replaced the whole front diff (it's now January 2022)- said there was an active service bulletin. Seems great now!
Purchased our 2021 Premium in March of 2021. I thought I heard it after about 6,000 miles and at 7,500 it became noticeable, the cyclical whining sound when decelerating especially on a corner and especially when turning right. The service manager took it for a test drive and confirmed. Toyota replaced the whole front diff (it's now January 2022)- said there was an active service bulletin. Seems great now!
hwell:Mine is completely stock with only 1300 miles on it (2022). The dealer is going to replace the whole front differential as well in the next couple weeks. They are waiting for the parts to come in. They did not mention an active service bulletin. In fact, the one that I showed them was old, so they called the Toyota engineers and they said to go ahead and follow it anyway
Hi
2017 4runner same issue and I am out of the warranty I am at 83k. Does the updated TSB extend the warranty?
I'm at the point where I am willing to pay to fix it, what should I expect to pay for this kind of repair?
Thx
Presumably the replacement diffs Toyota has been doing just carry replacement warranty like any other part. One year I’d venture to guess. But I don’t think it can be verified whether or not these new components carry an updated needle bearing. Most have said, unlikely. You’d have to be within the OEM warranty to request that repair likely.
My mechanic put the bushing into mine and charged two hours labour. I watched the process. He’s been doing them for years now albeit typically on lifted trucks.
Anyway, he uses the bushing from Nitro Gear. Same thing. The seal was perfect, didn’t put in a new one, re-used it. Needle bearing looked perfect too LoL. Solved that issue immediately.
My mechanic put the bushing into mine and charged two hours labour. I watched the process. He’s been doing them for years now albeit typically on lifted trucks.
Anyway, he uses the bushing from Nitro Gear. Same thing. The seal was perfect, didn’t put in a new one, re-used it. Needle bearing looked perfect too LoL. Solved that issue immediately.
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NorthernSailor
New member
Same issue, no lift, brand new
Thanks to this thread I have successfully diagnosed that my truck has a needle bearing issue. 450km in, started on a very cold day. Not as noticeable now that temps are higher...debating whether I should just replace it at a shop with ECGS, or deal with a dealer telling me they can't replicate the issue.
Thanks to this thread I have successfully diagnosed that my truck has a needle bearing issue. 450km in, started on a very cold day. Not as noticeable now that temps are higher...debating whether I should just replace it at a shop with ECGS, or deal with a dealer telling me they can't replicate the issue.
MJCIII
Member
I had the same issue on my SR5P, dealer wanted to fix it by replacing the diff and i was out of warranty by 3000 miles so i owuld have had to pay $3700 to repair. Not happening, so i bouight the ecgs bushing and seal, at the same time got all the stuff to do the job too. $192 and a few hours of work and the job is complete and fixed. Nice kit and east install, i do have the means to do the job though, lift and all the tools. A lot of videos on how to do it online.
