4gin007
New member
So Ive had a bad bearing sound in the front left side of my truck for about 3 weeks. It was only noticable in 2wheel drive, so needless to say Ive been riding in 4hi to save my diff from more damage (the diff was my number one suspect). I did a lot of searching on the web looking for problems and solutions, and without taking it to a pro it becomes a gamble on what problem you think you have and then choosing a solution. Since Ive already changed the drivers front wheel bearing and checked the brake pads for even wear, I could eliminate those possibilities. Also being that the noise only occured in 2hi and not 4hi I figured its definatly something in the front diff. and the fact that my front left inner cv joint had a significant amount of play when I grabed it and wiggled it. I came across a thread in tacomaworld that discusses a design flaw on behalf of toyota. Seems that toyota decided a needle bearing would be used in the diff where the axle shaft would rotate, bad idea toyota.
This is what my needle bearing looked like when i took my axle out, i was shocked when I saw this. A few things could have caused this, lift, bigger tires, lack of machining inside the diff: its cast not machined. BTW I have a minor lift, FJ suspension front and back.
This was left inside my diff, its the outter casing of the entire needle bearing assembly. I tried to use a puller to get it out, but after three hours or longer of trying and knowing I needed my truck on the road the next day I decided to cut it out. I used a die grinder to make the cut you see in the pic. The cut must have released pressure on the casing because I was able to pull it out after that.
This is the solution. A bushing made by east coast gear supply. Great idea. Go to their website and check it out. They have two videos, one showing what creates the problem and what they made as a solution and the other is a how to video, removal of old bearing and install of their bushing.
As soon as i was done and decided to take a test drive I felt a huge difference as soon as I put the truck in reverse and backed out of the garage. The truck just seemed tighter, less sloppy. My truck has 114k on it but felt like it was on its way to the grave, now it feels like a truck fresh from a coma with less miles on it ready to see some action. Im pleased and impressed with what ECGS has come up with and I have great expectations for their product. I feel its good quality and itll last for as long as I have the truck, if not longer. A bushing seems the only way to go considering everything. Especially with a lift. So if your having some of the same issues I did consider this soluiton. Ill add this to, some of the guys from tacomworld where able to claim warranty with this issue, even with a lift installed, and they claim, after a brand new front diff was installed, after a few thousand miles the same issues occured again.
TOYOTA 8" CLAMSHELL CV AXLE BUSHING
I hope this helps some of you guys and gals.
BTW i dont work for ECGS or anything, I just want to shed light on a solution. :thumb3::thumb3::thumb3::thumb3::thumb3:
This is what my needle bearing looked like when i took my axle out, i was shocked when I saw this. A few things could have caused this, lift, bigger tires, lack of machining inside the diff: its cast not machined. BTW I have a minor lift, FJ suspension front and back.
This was left inside my diff, its the outter casing of the entire needle bearing assembly. I tried to use a puller to get it out, but after three hours or longer of trying and knowing I needed my truck on the road the next day I decided to cut it out. I used a die grinder to make the cut you see in the pic. The cut must have released pressure on the casing because I was able to pull it out after that.
This is the solution. A bushing made by east coast gear supply. Great idea. Go to their website and check it out. They have two videos, one showing what creates the problem and what they made as a solution and the other is a how to video, removal of old bearing and install of their bushing.
As soon as i was done and decided to take a test drive I felt a huge difference as soon as I put the truck in reverse and backed out of the garage. The truck just seemed tighter, less sloppy. My truck has 114k on it but felt like it was on its way to the grave, now it feels like a truck fresh from a coma with less miles on it ready to see some action. Im pleased and impressed with what ECGS has come up with and I have great expectations for their product. I feel its good quality and itll last for as long as I have the truck, if not longer. A bushing seems the only way to go considering everything. Especially with a lift. So if your having some of the same issues I did consider this soluiton. Ill add this to, some of the guys from tacomworld where able to claim warranty with this issue, even with a lift installed, and they claim, after a brand new front diff was installed, after a few thousand miles the same issues occured again.
TOYOTA 8" CLAMSHELL CV AXLE BUSHING
I hope this helps some of you guys and gals.
BTW i dont work for ECGS or anything, I just want to shed light on a solution. :thumb3::thumb3::thumb3::thumb3::thumb3:
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