Needle bearing issue?

I don't understand why the dealer would not at least simply offer\quote replacement of the needle bearing with another Toyota bearing for us out of warranty customers. It worked out best for me in my case to source the parts and find labor locally. Just a weird situation Toyota is aware of and I hope they correct with Gen 6.

 

Needle bearing NVH issues will likely be low on the list of warranty concerns for the 6th Gen...

 

So did you have the needle bearing replaced with a new one, installed by an independent shop?

 

I replaced the Toyota needle bearing with the ECGS Bushing and found a local driveline shop to do the work. It worked out well for me and my truck sounds as it should now.

 

That's right - you posted that above. I had a senior moment...

 

I just replaced my needle bearing w. ECGS....there was no movement/issue with the OEM needle bearing/CV axle, but just did it to avoid any future issues. Going to drop the diff soon too.

 

If you're out of warranty, don't bother with the dealer. Find an indie shop, preferably one that works on lot of Toyotas.

6th gen if it's like the Tacoma will carry over the front diff, needle bearing and all... As before, AWD models like the Land Cruiser 250 don't have needle bearings, because the diff carrier spins together with the CV axle most of the time.

 

Another ECGS bushing in the books today. 2021 Pro, no lift, 55k miles, stock tire size. A little sound/vibration but not to bad. Cleaned up the vibration. The bearing didn't show too much wear and no needles into the diff so we will call this one preventative.

 

Did your shops ever take a bushing out? Was is it even doable?

 

I haven't bought a used diff to install and remove one yet.

 

Forgive me if I missed the answer in the multitude of threads on this. My '22 ORP has developed the needle bearing issue. It only has 12,000 miles on it. Goes away in 4wd. According to TSB 0075-23 my 4R would get full front diff replacement under warranty. Questions. Does anyone know what changes Toyota actually made to the updated diff? For anyone who had the updated front diff done did it solve the issue once and for all? Seems like a pretty drastic cure for the sickness. Thanks.

 

The fix is "idk, maybe this diff wont make any noises"

 

I think @HuskerRunner nailed it. Since it doesn't seem to affect every 4Runner, I think they just swap out the diff and hope for the best.

For what it's worth, mine was replaced when I had about 30,000 miles on my 2019. After the replacement, I lifted and have driven it another ~110,000 miles, and the sound has not returned. Although, now that I said it, it'll probably start making noise this weekend, LOL.

 

This needle bearing noise issue is so strange. I guess it's just hit or miss. I owned a 2010 FJ Cruiser from new. 167K and no issue. Traded it in on current 2021 4R, just turned 26K, no issue. Wonder why Toyota used the needle bearing on one side and not the other ? I read here where guys have had the differential replacement under warranty and developed the problem again. Others, not. But it seems everyone that bit the bullet and paid to have the after market bearing installed never had the problem re-occur.

 

You and I have the same luck, right now my KO3’s are soooo much smoother riding than the KO2s they replaced. I’m afraid to really go out and brag on them that they will develop that 55-65MPH balance issue. Fingers crossed… so far so good.

 

Now you've done it...

 

That belief is shared by many owners on this very forum - when an OEM part fails, they buy an identical OEM part to replace it hoping for a different outcome.

 

Aside from the needle bearing and the rear hatch latching mechanism, I can't really think of any OEM Parts I've been dissatisfied with. Anything that has failed has generally had a good service life. Heck, my 2003 4Runner was on the second battery and original starter and alternator when I traded it in with 257,000 miles on it.

 

Maybe I can answer my own question. Does anyone know if the old diff part # is different than the replacement diff part #. I can see the new part # online but not the old. Does it supersede? A superseded part # would indicate some sort of part change. Strange how Toyota never devulged anything on this longstanding issue.

 

Typical 4Runner owners:





https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ck4c1AbJTHZ/

 

Lucky.

Mine are like a built-in massager function in the steering wheel.

Ignoring it can be difficult.

But I didn't let it stop me last weekend when we went camping in the back country of the Eastern Sierra.

Jason

 

Hello... What are the symptoms to effectively conclude its the differentials. I had similar clicking noise with my 2022 back then.
In Cold Spells.
Eventually nailed it down the the 8MM pins in the wheel wells. ( from a member recommendation here)
Replaced passenger pins to eradicate noise from that side.

Maybe try that. It may/may not work.

 

OE fix is a different number in some cases but it is the exact same. Newer ones have put a rubber doughnut (damper) on the axle to eliminate the felt vibration. Total bandaid instead of fixing it. Do the ECGS swap and never worry about it again. It is not bad. I posted a video in this thread for some pointers.

 

Thanks for your input. The Tsb calls for the damper fix after my build date. A damper fix would leave me to assume Toyota shrugs and goes "whatever". No long term issue. "Customer Satisfaction". So. Is the early build date diff missing something the later ones do. Doesn't seem like it. Why the build date discrepancy? I have no issue with the ECGS bushing installation. Since it's still under powetrain warranty my only concern is does the Tsb actually fix something or just get by you by until after warranty. I'd rather install the ECGS bushing upgrade within the warranty time period than let the dealer perform major surgery on my unmolested 4Runner for no valid reason. Guess I'm one of many just trying to make sense of this long standing issue.