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Needle bearing issue?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by COexplorer, Jan 8, 2019.

  1. Nov 16, 2020 at 5:58 PM
    #61
    runner fan 82

    runner fan 82 New Member

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    Any update? I have same 2020 orp. Drove it out of the garage and immediately knew something wasn't right. The dealer say anything about the lift?
     
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  2. Nov 17, 2020 at 4:09 AM
    #62
    runner4it

    runner4it New Member

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    I have a thread around here somewhere about it. Toyota replaced the diff under warranty/existing tsb. You don't happen to be the guy on one of the Facebook groups asking about it?
     
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  3. Dec 3, 2020 at 4:26 PM
    #63
    pained

    pained New Member

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    Just purchased a new 2021 4Runner and have been having this issue. Took it in on a warmer day and had trouble pointing out especially on the rough road they took me on. Gonna go back in and show them with the right conditions. Can’t believe I have to deal with this on a vehicle that I’ve only put 1000 miles on.
     
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  4. Dec 3, 2020 at 5:41 PM
    #64
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    Welcome to the forum!

    I agree that this is a disappointing issue. I had the issue basically right away. My differential was replaced 17K miles ago and it hasn't returned... Yet.

    There is always the ECGS bushing fix.
     
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  5. Dec 3, 2020 at 8:02 PM
    #65
    thirdyota

    thirdyota shouldn't be trusted

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    Sorry to hear about your troubles. Good luck on getting it resolved to your satisfaction.

    FWIW, mine had this issue. I replaced the needle bearing myself with the ECGS bushing referenced above. I did the ECGS bushing swap a year ago and it's been smooth ever since.
     
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  6. Dec 4, 2020 at 12:24 AM
    #66
    pained

    pained New Member

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    Ok thanks for the info. Why is it that the cold weather causes it to act up more?
     
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  7. Dec 4, 2020 at 12:36 AM
    #67
    thirdyota

    thirdyota shouldn't be trusted

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    I'm guessing it's because the needle bearing shrinks just enough in cold temperatures to magnify the fact that it fits too loosely over the CV axle.

    When I pulled mine apart it was kinda pathetic seeing the loose fit of that bearing to the axle. The ECGS bushing fits the axle much more snug.
     
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  8. Feb 18, 2021 at 6:44 AM
    #68
    ExSubi

    ExSubi New Member

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    Hey guys. New to Toyota and this is my first post here. I have a 2021 T4R ORP and love it so far. The last couple of weeks it’s been pretty cold (teens to twenties) and I’ve noticed that, when slowing down (engine braking/foot off the gas or light brake) from about 25 mph I get a deep “womp womp womp” that seems to change with speed. Possibly a light vibration but it’s hard to tell. I wanted to get an opinion on if this might just be tires (stock Bridgestone Duelers), balance or maybe alignment. I haven’t been able to find a good clip of what the driver’s side diff needle bearing issue really sounds like. A couple of clips I could make out a intermittent rattle/grind but wasn’t sure what people meant when they say it sounds like “womp womp.” I don’t think the sound goes away completely in 4hi but does definitely get more faint.

    Taking it to the dealer to have them check it out but am not expecting much. Less than 1k miles on the car so far.
     
  9. Feb 18, 2021 at 7:04 AM
    #69
    J-trac

    J-trac New Member

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    Jason
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    The needle bearing was an issue on my 2014 Tacoma. The ECGS bushing solved the vibes and it never came back.
    Surprised to see this issue hasn't been resolved by now
     
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  10. Feb 18, 2021 at 7:52 AM
    #70
    KBARAKEH

    KBARAKEH New Member

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    I have a 2021 TRD Pro , put the wescott leveling kit and noticed the horrible grinding sound between 40-50 mph and first thought it was the tires I put (k02 285's) So i wasted more money buying another set of tires and still there. Noise got unbearable with the freezing temps so I took it in and they replaced the needle bearing and that took care of the noise! My rig only has 3k miles on it, I'm not very happy about this so I will be doing the upgrade when it goes bad again.
     
  11. Feb 18, 2021 at 8:31 AM
    #71
    MeefZah

    MeefZah ---

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  12. Feb 18, 2021 at 11:00 AM
    #72
    mac1usa

    mac1usa New Member

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    I am not mechanically inclined but this is very disconcerting as I order a 21 ORP; darn
     
  13. Feb 18, 2021 at 11:11 AM
    #73
    KBARAKEH

    KBARAKEH New Member

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    Yeah, My 2021 only has 3,000 miles and it was bad. If you lift yours and start noticing it I would talk to your service department if you have a good relationship with the manager about having them swap the ECGS bushing instead if you provide it. That way you can get the labor taken care of under warranty :thumbsup: My service technician is the one who recommended the "upgraded" aftermarket bushing.
     
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  14. Feb 18, 2021 at 12:43 PM
    #74
    rickystl

    rickystl New Member

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    I'm planning on buying a 2021 ORP next month. Maybe I should just order one of those ECGS bushings now so I'll have it handy.

    Rick
     
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  15. Feb 18, 2021 at 1:47 PM
    #75
    MeefZah

    MeefZah ---

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    No, no, no.

    Unnecessary worry; don't pre-order a bushing. If it happens (and it seems like about 30% have it, based on casual estimation from forum posts) you have plenty of time to sort it out. It's not catastrophic. It's an easy fix (or easy to open your wallet and pay for 90 minutes of labor to a garage). Don't let the possibility of this minor issue darken the joy of your upcoming 4R purchase.
     
  16. Feb 18, 2021 at 1:56 PM
    #76
    rickystl

    rickystl New Member

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    Ok. Thanks Meef. I won't order the bushing unless I experience the problem. Oh no, I will definitely be getting the 21 $R/ORP next month. I want that same old school drive train I have on my 2010 FJ Cruiser.

    Rick
     
  17. Feb 18, 2021 at 1:57 PM
    #77
    mac1usa

    mac1usa New Member

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    Does this noise just occur when going in and out of 4WD? Sorry if dumb question here. As I mentioned I am not too good with mechanics. I am going in blind to dealers asking for prices on order so I don't know anyone in a service dept. If anyone has suggestions in SE MI (metro Detroit) please let me know. It would be so nice to get a referral for someone you can have a little trust in.
     
  18. Feb 18, 2021 at 2:57 PM
    #78
    KBARAKEH

    KBARAKEH New Member

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    The noise and slight vibration should be felt between 40-50 mph in 2WD, when you engage 4WD it should go away if its your needle bearing.
     
  19. Feb 18, 2021 at 3:24 PM
    #79
    thirdyota

    thirdyota shouldn't be trusted

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    I saved this needle bearing after I removed it.

    The flat spots showing wear in between the needles are what I'm assuming makes the noise as the CV shaft rides on these areas instead of the tiny needles. This thing is really a stupid design IMO.

    [​IMG]

    I was shocked at how loose this fit over the CV axle...very sloppy.

    One more pic for reference of the size of this bearing and also to show how much money Toyota probably saves per car by not having this piece of crap redesigned...
    [​IMG]


    Remember everyone...Toyota loves you...;)
     
  20. Feb 18, 2021 at 3:34 PM
    #80
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Oh what a feeling...Toyota!

    They most likely have hundreds of thousands of those needle bearings sitting on the shelf that they refuse to not use.
     
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  21. Feb 18, 2021 at 4:04 PM
    #81
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    I’m 100% sure that was built in China...
     
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  22. Feb 18, 2021 at 4:13 PM
    #82
    MeefZah

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    What's crazy is that a bushing would have to be cheaper for them
     
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  23. Feb 19, 2021 at 5:44 AM
    #83
    rickystl

    rickystl New Member

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    Surprised Toyota hasn't fixed this by now.
     
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  24. Feb 20, 2021 at 3:05 AM
    #84
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    The service manager where I had mine replaced said that the differential had a new part number. I originally hoped that they may have altered the design. But, based on what I read here, it sounds like he was full of it.
     
  25. Feb 20, 2021 at 8:30 AM
    #85
    Ebadai98

    Ebadai98 New Member

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    ECGS and never look back! I had the same problems you all did with vibration/grinding occurring in 2wd and went away in 4WD. My Toyota rep stated it was the needle bearing and they would replace it with another needle bearing. I elected not to have them replace the defective needle bearing with another needle bearing that would most likely fail in the future. Install took about 4-5 hours.

    33A6EA77-B3D0-4ADA-9DE6-31644B698242.jpg
     
  26. Feb 22, 2021 at 7:42 AM
    #86
    ExSubi

    ExSubi New Member

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    Update: I’m fairly certain mine is tires. It changes with tire speed and there is no (noticeable) grinding. Also when you look at the Toyota reviews on Tire Rack for the stock Bridgestone tires, the average rating is like 2.5 stars o_O
     
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  27. Feb 22, 2021 at 10:39 AM
    #87
    McSpazatron

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    Mine is making a great impression of mud tires. But I still suspect something is going on, mostly because of the noise mostly going away in 4wd. Im still going to wait to take it in, at least until the point where nobody can deny the sound being there.
     
  28. Feb 22, 2021 at 11:42 AM
    #88
    ExSubi

    ExSubi New Member

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    This is how I would describe mine as well. Though it’s hardly noticeable when going at the typical speed range that most report the needle bearing issue. It’s more of a “womp womp wommp” that gets slower as I come to a stop. What are your tire pressures? I’m 35psi cold and they don’t warm up much with the weather lately....

    I wonder if it’s less noticeable in 4WD due to the different engine braking forces through the driveline?
     
  29. Feb 22, 2021 at 12:21 PM
    #89
    MyWyfsRnnr

    MyWyfsRnnr Have you seen the mall?

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    I host a lot of mod days in my area. Whenever we do it left or anything where we have the front suspension apart, I typically suggest and we do the ECGS bushing while we're there. I keep four of them on hand and if someone uses one I just expect them to replace it. Funny part is I still haven't done mine! I spend a lot of time with the Tacoma guys and we change them a lot. Everyone we've pulled out shows signs of ware. Whether or not they would have failed I couldn't tell you. Definitely a significant design flaw.
     
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  30. Feb 22, 2021 at 6:37 PM
    #90
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    Reading around led me to a similar understanding. Not sure of the actual mechanics involved though.
     

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