Front diff issue

[TheCremePuff]

So a few weeks ago I noticed a clunk coming from my front driver side and I assumed it was from the lift I put on and the top 3 nuts on the strut being loose but I tighten that down and nothing changed then I noticed my front cv boots were torn so I ordered the resleeve kit from off-road solutions and I was getting ready to do that today but I noticed this play coming out of the diff when the cv boots are and on one side you can see I have play and the other side it's firm and doesn't have any play. I'm going to take a guess and say if one is firm and the other isn't it shouldn't be like that. So my question is can anyone give me a part name or number for this and how hard of a fix it is? I couldn't get the video to upload so here is the link the video on YouTube https://youtu.be/os5-9Y7OFvU

 

[Billynath1988]

v6 or v8?

 

[TheCremePuff]

Guess some info would help it's an 04 v6 4wd with 161xxx

 

[Billynath1988]

looks like a needle bearing.. it seems to be pretty normal of these trucks with the v6 drivetrain.
im sure there are plenty of threads but from what I hear you replace it with the solid bushing and never worry about it again, its not to hard if your mechanically inclined and have tools. there is also a bearing removal tool to make life easier.
https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/

 

[TheCremePuff]

Yeah I found a video from ECGS and it looks pretty easy just time consuming but do you have any idea if I can use the same bushing on both sides I'll be rebooting the cvs so i figured I'd go ahead and just do both sides

 

[DEF4Runner]

To share an experience, I too had the same play in my driver's inboard joint about a year and a half ago, and an occasional clunk. In addition, I had a vibration/grinding at low speeds...about 15-25 MPH that went away when I activated the 4 wheel drive. THAT was the tell-tale sign the needle bearing was worn. I went ahead and ordered/installed the sleeve and the install went as advertised (ECGS's YouTube videos are spot on). About a year and a half later, I still have some play in that inboard joint. It's not as bad as your video shows, but there's a bit. I also still have an occasional clunk. However, that may be from another emerging issue, worn inner drivers on the axle.

You didn't mention rebooting your inner joints, but if you do, take a look inside the driver and make sure the bearings aren't grinding a 'pit' into the metal, allowing them to bounce in/out of as you accelerate/decelerate. THAT would create a clunk (and possibly a vibration if they're bad enough). There's also TONS of threads out here discussing driveline clunk, so I won't discount that either; however, with 161K on the clock, those joints could be showing some signs of age.