Needle bearing...

That may have been obvious to you, but your posts are, shall we say, a bit cryptic, what with all the commas, spaces, and periods. I find it hard to follow, but that's just me. I tend to want to read real sentences, and lose track when it's laid out the way you do. My problem, not yours.

We'll really find out if there's been any updates if 2023 models start having needle bearing issues.

 

Are you saying it’s an updated part for 2023? Just curious as to how you learned that information. Hope it’s an updated part that is better. I guess we’ll see soon enough.

 

And if 'updated', what was updated? The diff or the needle bearing?

I get the feeling that any updating that was done was simply changing the part number.

 

I've installed over 20 ECGS bushings. I'd use their removal tool right off the bat, skip the puller you have. I've seen a few folks start with a puller, and end up destroying the needle bearing. This makes a mess of needles in the diff and could make it harder to remove. Don't forget to stuff plastic into the opening behind the needle bearing. I fold up a large zip lock bag and shove it in there. Good luck.

 

You’re probably correct.

 

My diff was replaced in 2020, and the part number was supposedly updated. But, people have been having the issue in '21's and I think even '22's. So, I get the feeling nothing was really updated, as @glwood54 said

 

Had my 2022 done, invoice had a new part #, been good for last 6,000 miles so far.

 

Mine is still good after ~50K miles. But, if they had a fix in '20, I wonder why are people still having problems?

 

I talked to my Toyota dealership .... needle bearing is updated ..
I was the 2016 runner and I was going to the 2023 runner changed it ...

 

I did a bearing on a '22 the other day with 3k miles and it was going and making all the noise. There was signs of wear for sure. It totally depends on luck whether you need to do one or not. Some people go a long time with no issues and some have the issue pop up immediately. A lift definitely increases the likelihood of having the issue but it is not "for sure" you will. Just seems luck of the draw.

 

Hello, I think I start having the needle bearing problem. 2021 SR5P 24K miles, no mods except Duratracs so the humming comes with it. I tried to upload a video but couldn’t because it is too long 35 seconds.
What is this sound like? Maybe there is a video already and I missed it.
Thanks.

 

Did another ECGS Bushing on a 3rd Gen today. Came up with yet another way to do them. I'm going to film my new way on Sunday and link it here with my other easy new way. Filming/thinking about it differently has completely changed the way I do these. It can be done by removing (2)19mm bolts, (1) 19mm castle nut, bump stop and (1) 12mm nut. I have 2 4runners coming in on Sunday and I will film one of the Installs

 

I've done around 50 of them and I started keeping some as my trophies haha!

 

This pain in the ass issue Toyota subjected all of us to, is the reason I am cheering on for Max damage to them, through the current new models recalls.

 

My 13 has 175k miles, and as far as I can tell it's not making any noise.

Is replacing this something one would do for preventative maintenance?

There is a local off-road shop that charges $399 for the job, including the bearing and diff flush. Sounds like a fair price to me, I was thinking of doing it, but I don't know if this is one of those "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" type things.

 

Looking forward to the video(s). Has the new way shortened the time for the job?

 

Yeah.... takes about an hour and a half if everything goes smooth

 

I’d like to know this as well, since I’m only a 2 hour drive from ECGS

 

I consider it preventive, even stock height with stock tires has excessive play (IMO). The bushing provides more support on the axle and less play. There are no downsides that I can think of. In our area, shops typically charge $350-$400 for the bushing install so your shop is not far off "normal". I don't have overhead to account for which is why I charge $286. Like I said, I will be putting out a video here as soon as I figure out how to do the YouTube thing. It is something most people can do themselves and save some money.

 

Thanks for the reply, so I'll put those on the list to do sooner than later.

It could be doing it for all I know, if it's slowly gotten worse I might not have even noticed it. I do kind of think it's tiring the drive on the highway, this could be the reason why. I've been thinking it's because my tires are now over 60k miles and are due for replacement soon.

 

The needle bearing symptom typically does not show up at highway speeds..

25-45mph is its sweet spot

 

Thanks. Mine is smooth that those speeds, it's when I get over 65 is when it seems like it gets rougher. It's nice and smooth with minimal steering wheel shake at 60. Luckily we have low speed limits in Rhode Island, haha.

This is why I mentioned a Grand Cherokee in another post. A while back my brother-in-law asked me to drive his WK2 because he thought there was a vibration in the drivetrain, but it felt way smoother than my 4Runner.

 

Any video updates?

 

Been so busy lately I have not had a chance. I guess I have to get some editing software to string it all together and make it small enough to be able to upload to YouTube. I'm only 42 but I may as well be 100 yr old when it comes to computers!

 

Have you ever done the bushing on a model with KDSS? Would the sway bar need to be disconnected ?

 

You only have to remove the sway bar on non KDSS. KDSS actually makes the job easier. Haha

 

I have a ‘21 with about 40k miles and I have that rumble feeling noise at times. It goes away when I throw it in 4x4. Im thinking the bearing has some wear so I may install it just to see if it helps. Appreciate your help sir! Thank you!

 

Did you see his YouTube video on his installation recently posted?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl2Fm...ps://www.4runners.com/&source_ve_path=OTY3MTQ

 

Yes most definitely. Its a great video. Ive seen many of the videos posted on YouTube for this same procedure but never found one with a KDSS suspension. I was dreading on disconnecting the sway bar. It’s a bit tricky on KDSS equipped 4Runner. Now that I know I don’t have to touch it I feel so much better about it.

 

I'm with you. I haven't had any issues with my needle bearing, but if so, it's nice to know KDSS is not a problem.