Front diff moving with cv & noise at speed - help!

[4R-Driver]

I have an 03 4Runner with OME lift & bilstein 5100s & diff drop up front.

After my last road trip I noticed a front end noise that gets louder as speed increases, sounds almost like a tire hum but after a rotation it's still there and my tires are fairly new.

I thought it could be my cvs since the boots have been torn for a while but the noise remained.

When I changed those, I noticed my passenger wheel doesn't spin as freely as it should and every rotation, I can see the front diff moving up and down about a quarter inch right when the tire stops spinning freely.

Anyone have an idea what could've made this happen?

Is the noise a wheel bearing? Should I remove the diff drop?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

So is this a V6 or V8?

IF it is a V6, is this with the ADD engaged (i.e. you're in 4Hi or 4Lo) or with the ADD disengaged?

First thing's first, make sure all your mounts for the front differential are tight and nothing is broken, the front differential shouldn't move that much just rotating the wheels by hand. Second thing is can you post a picture of your set-up? Were the CV joints seated properly when you replaced the front axles?

 

[4R-Driver]

It's a V6. All the noise occurs without 4H or 4L engaged and started before replacing the cvs. I'll try to get pictures in the morning.

I had pushed the cvs in to where the inboard ring was flush with the diff housing. Looked very similar to how it was when I removed it.

 

[4R-Driver]

Is it possible to bend the C-clip ? Would this cause the differential to move when the CV joint turns?

 

[fdbyrne]

After I read this post I remembered a similar one from a while ago. It took me a really long time to find, but check it out. The OP posted a video of it and it's pretty much what you describe. He just got a bad CV shaft.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...ential-needle-roller-bearing-replacement.html

 

[4R-Driver]

That's it! Not nearly as bad as the video in other thread but the same problem.

I pulled it all apart again and it spins freely when straight but binds when at any kind of angle.

Unfortunately I've gotta leave on a 5 hour trip to southern CA in a few hours. Is it too risky to drive on this way? The diff moves very little under weight but about 1/4" at full droop.

The noise is still there but as far as I can tell, it must be wheel bearings.

 

[fdbyrne]

I wouldn't take a road trip with it doing that but that's just me. Glad you got it figured out.

 

[blackoutt]

Pull apart the CV and leave the inner cup installed. Just won't be 4wd, dunno about lights and traction control.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

That's it! Not nearly as bad as the video in other thread but the same problem.

I pulled it all apart again and it spins freely when straight but binds when at any kind of angle.

Unfortunately I've gotta leave on a 5 hour trip to southern CA in a few hours. Is it too risky to drive on this way? The diff moves very little under weight but about 1/4" at full droop.

The noise is still there but as far as I can tell, it must be wheel bearings.

The differential or the CV Axle? Did you do the reboot yourself?