2022 needle bearing issues

It says on ECGSs website it's not for Limiteds. I'd be curious why? Without doing a google search, I wonder what the difference is between a limited front diff is and a non-limited diff?

 

As far as I understood, this doesnt affect the limiteds because they have a different bearing setup on the front differential.

 

We went with the ECGS bushing quite some time ago, and, even though the Runner was under warr., the "blank" look on a couple of the service writers was a good indicator on how we were going to handle the decade long 'bearing fiasco'. In actuality, the bushing install is probably technically, a little harder than a oil change, but not much. Why put yourself through the aggravation of trying to explain something to somebody that will probably never 'get it'? Been there... done that! Riding down the road with the "smooth" version of a ORP! I hope you get this stuff sorted out.

 

Alright hold on everyone - just want to catch up on this.

Are differentials failing at under 1000 miles? Is that what we are saying here or is this a design flaw that has no impact on the actual mechanical workings of the vehicle?

I ask this because coming from a 2017 Tacoma - that thing was clunky, clanky, made weird noises but at no point did it feel or seem like anything was actually broken. That truck had a howling rear diff too and the fix was to sound deaden the cab (lol).

I know people want perfection from these rides - I hear you but I gave up on perfection, if you think some noises are bad go buy a Bronco or Wrangler and see what those poor fools have to deal with.

So do we have any documented diff explosions or proof this is a safety issue or one that impedes the normal operation of the truck?

 

I noticed mine at 100 miles, unacceptable for a $48,000 vehicle

 

for sure but this is a 13 year old platform - how have we not heard about differentials catastrophically failing if this is so common?

 

I don’t know about catastrophic failures but I think it says something that Toyota in some cases replaces the whole diff on 4Runners. If it is totally inconsequential is Toyota truly just worried about peoples happiness.

I’d wager to guess that most people on these forums who have symptoms either get Toyota to address it or fix it themselves with a bushing.

 

I had my whole front differential replaced and didn’t have to fight for it either, 700 miles so far and no problem

 

see for me that is a major repair - I would be more worried about these dealer techs breaking something else during the install.

has anyone who has had a diff replacement ever had the issue return?

 

What symptoms/drivability issues did you encounter?

Did you actually see/watch the differential been replaced with a superseded version.

According to the Local Toyota Parts departments.... Using my VIN number, they said the replacement parts is not even available in US.

Just out of curiosity really.

 

I heard mine making noise on the 80mile drive home from the dealer. The noise is a silverback gorilla in the mist, however. I only hear it intermittently and usually at certain outside temp ranges.

The problem with the 4runner is that it’s so much more refined than a Tacoma Or a jeep, that little mechanical noises stand out. When it makes noise, I cant get the image of that needle bearing vibrating and resonating all loosey goosy in there. My rear diff is getting a tiny bit whiney at certain speeds, so that should make it easier to ignore the needle bearing haha.

I don’t know if these fail, but something tells me toyota doesnt really worry about it from a mechanical standpoint.

I’ve seen pics of broken needle bearings floating around, but honestly, after watching some ECGS bushing install videos, I think they just break on the way out whenever the puller is slightly out of position.

 

well.. i hit 6k miles on mine and the intermittent noises between exactly 34 and 42 popped up... ive been monitoring, but like others posted it will come and go with temp and of course road conditions... i did drop it into 4hi when this noise first popped up and it of course went away til it went back to 2 wheel drive... i actually have the bushing in my possession as i ordred one months ago ,but until my warranty goes out or i just decide to lift it, im not touching the bearing and diff to swap out bearing for bushing. luckily one of my dealers in the area is aware of the bearing issue on affected yotas ,but i havent had to actually get them to replace it yet... the other dealers just play dumb even when i brought them printed out tech bulletins from yota for the older 4runners and tacos

 

Mine played dumb but I kept being persistent about the issue and they wanted me to leave so they did it it seemed like

 

Interesting. Toyota had mine for two days.
Day 1 - Was able to recreate with Non Master Tech
Day Two - Master tech couldn't reproduce after they asked me not to wait to demonstrate. Smart move.

They suggested keeping the brand new truck for experiment/diagnosis.

No way.

Parts department confirmed the possible replacement parts not available in US

Groaning/grinding/spinning noise again this morning. Temp < 50.

 

My first trip they heard and felt it in my runner, and test drove other 2022’s that were there and heard it and felt it on those as well & chalked it up to ‘characteristics of the vehicle’. they told me when I am in for my next service they want to keep mine for a undisclosed amount of time to diagnose and talk to Toyota about what was going on & give me a free rental. I made the appointment took it in and the d bag service advisor I had at the time questioned me on why I needed a rental, I told him your manager said I would be getting one and he went off saying that the job was going to take most of the day, not multiple days. I said I was not told that, and that I need a rental to go home and about my business regardless. He huffed and puffed to his manager and I got my rental. Picked up the vehicle the next day job all done. Would have never known they replaced the front differential that seemed to be done flawless but they scratched the shit out of my grill doing my first oil change...

 

Lol at "master tech." I've worked at plenty of dealerships in service. The difference between what they are calling master techs, A,B,C techs is negligible. So take that with grain of salt.

 

As much as I hated my dealer in the past, I guess I lucked out on this one. I did go through a bunch of miscommunication and they had my truck for a week due to poor part tracking. But they drove an hour to pick it up, left me a rental to use for the week and then drove it back to me fixed.

Frustrating but I am more or less happy for the moment. And getting rid of that terribly loud obnoxious noise. Hopefully it doesn't come back but I likely would do it the same way again (but with more arguing experience)

 

If mine comes back I might just do the ECGS bushing and forget about it but, I have 96 months or 100,000 miles left of warranty. I’m more concerned about my damn shimmy issue at the moment more than the differential. Just dropped it off at a reputable independent shop by me to have them check the balancing, alignment, and whatever they might see.

 

Late last year, I purchased a 2022 TRD Sport, I ended up returning the vehicle in February 2022 because of the issues mentioned in this thread. The front diff had been replaced with less than 5,000 miles and a week later it started doing the same thing. I ended up returning the vehicle for a 2022 SR5P, I have an Icon Stage lift and have had NO issues...until now. I just turned 9,000 miles and now I'm hearing the exact same noise. In the first situation, I couldn't find this thread but now that I read through, it's apparent I have this issue. So, what's the best way to approach with the dealer? Also, is it safe to drive? I'm in Northern California and plan to drive to LA in about 2 weeks and am now concerned. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Safe to drive yea, over thousands of miles it will probably just wear out more and mess up the seals probably. Approach the dealer same way as before state the problem see what they say or do the bushing and forget about it. I had that problem I think I am the Op of this thread. I can’t get rid of the shimmy so I am going to be trading my 4 runner in soon for a different vehicle. It’s sad but it is what it is. This forum has been awesome for the time I owned my 4 runner! Thanks y’all!

 

@Tmiesowicz thanks for that. So far, I haven't experienced the shimmy (I did on the first one). Make me regret every day of trading off my 16' TRD PRO with 116,000 miles because it gave me ZERO issues. Best of luck to you and yes, this forum is great.

 

My Parents 2019 doesn’t have the shimmy it’s a expensive gamble.

 

Friendly Advise
Please read this thread as well.
https://www.4runners.com/threads/4r-trd-sport-issues-resolved.25303/

In addition, couple of points....
(1) Was your differentials replaced with the older version and not new superseded one.

You can tell this by going to the dealerships parts department with your VIN number and compare with the ones used on your ticket.
I know this as a fact because the parts department told me the newer differentials are in back order from Japan across USA. They cant get it yet.

(2) Look under your front wheel wells. Retighten every 10MM nut/bolt underneath.
Retighten the black mini splash mud guards Clips- TRD Sports. Seems to work so far so me

2022 TRD Sports. Built in Dec 2021. Delivered Feb 2022

 

Thanks @LuLu I no longer have the 2022 TRD Sport - at the time, I felt this was an isolated issue. I now have a 2022 SR5P and the same thing is happening at 9,000 miles.

 

I wanted to resurrect this thread, as it's being discussed currently in other threads. @Tmiesowicz, I know you got your front diff replaced as the fix - any more issues with the needle bearing since? And others - did you finally get satisfaction from the dealer(s), and was their fix a new diff also? Just curious...

 

Front differential was replaced at 950 miles or so and was fine when I traded it in at 7,000.

 

Thanks. Traded for...?

Another thread that talked about all this:

https://www.4runners.com/threads/help-with-a-sound-on-a-new-4runner.23843/

 

Ordered a 2022 ram classic tradesman with the 5.7L hemi, crew cab and long box pretty much fully loaded as a tradesman could get.

 

Same here! haha! I have a chain of them hanging in the shop like trophies haha!