Needle bearing issue?

Agreed. Nobody's going to need any warranty work on their differential once the bushing's installed. We do hear this a lot, though. People are reluctant to do things that will improve their 4R until the warranty is up, thinking some possible warranty claim will be denied due to their installation.

 

Has anyone had your dealer replace front differential with remanufactured one instead of brand new?

 

I found a Reddit user who reported the rumble returning after 5000miles on the bushing.

are these lots of examples of the bushing solution have a short shelf life?

 

Your referenced Reddit user is the first I've heard of personally.

 

There's a guy in here that said he had his replaced 3 times under warranty.

 

If I recall, he was talking about the needle bearing, not the ECGS replacement bushing. I haven't seen any mention on this forum of that bushing ever failing.

 

I would bet it was the needle bearing the user was talking about. I am sure the bushing could wear out and require replacement eventually but they can't "fail" in a traditional sense. They would have to wear enough to open up the tolerance enough for the axle to start the vibration/harmonics again. The bushing is essentially the same as an engine bearing, they will wear but unless there is a catastrophic failure in the diff, I can't see a bushing going bad in 100k miles much less 5k miles. Of course there's always manufacture defects etc that are possibilities but in general I couldn't see one wearing out that fast

 

We need more than 'a Reddit user who reported' or 'there's a guy in here that said' in order to verify. Without links to specific posts, it's conjecture. And, as @MyWyfsRnnr has stated, there is no moving part to fail.

 

He was definitely talking about the needle bearing. ECGS unfortunately doesn't qualify for warranty repair if failed lol

 

I had this on my FJ for 9 years and didn't know what it was until now. I traded it in a couple months ago. I had put a leveling kit with Bilstein early on. But if I could hear or feel the rumble was temperature related.. only above 40 degrees. So basically didn't hear it from April to October. Once winter set in it was there. No changes for 9 years so I had stopped worrying about it. A little annoying It may happen again.

 

All the vibration didn't drive you crazy in those 9 years?

 

It was more like a rumble that i heard. Didn't really feel it in the steering wheel.

 

This is where I saw it.. upon closer read.. it’s inconclusive… my bad

https://www.reddit.com/r/4Runner/s/V3tHYuq7Qh

 

I interpret that comment to mean that if he installed the bushing and the problem came back in 5k miles, it must be the tires. I mean, he didn't specifically even say that he replaced it with a bushing or that if he did, that the bushing subsequently went bad. However, his statement can be interpreted in several ways.

 

Just wondering if a 2013 Limited would have this needle bearing? It has permanent 4wd.

 

only impacts part time 4wd front diffs

 

Wow that was quick! Thanks for letting me know...dealer has mine and saying this could be the issue. Now I'm prepared!

 

Have we heard of anyone replacing the ecgs bushing? What’s that process like?

 

I eventually am going to get a used diff and do this out of curiosity. Just haven't found the time or been able to justify the money to satisfy curiosity yet. I am assuming it will be similar to replacing the bearing race in old rear ends. It won't be easy but there are definitely ways to do it.

 

There are several YouTube videos on the subject. A friend of mine(who has a vehicle lift) and I replaced needle bearing with the ECGS bushing, as long as you have some mechanical skills it's not too difficult. I ordered the tools from ECGS. The process took us a few hrs.

 

I think @Yobruhitsme was asking if anyone's replaced the ECGS bushing, not the needle bearing.

 

Got ya!

 

I'm guessing it would be similar to replacing the needle bearings, but with the life expectancy of the bushing, I hope I don't find out.

 

I got my rig fixed for about $500. I ordered the bushing and tools with new seal from ECGS and called around to a few shops to have some one do the work for me. I found a Drive Line shop who's business is exchanging and repairing CV Axels. I figured they would be as qualified as anyone and probably cheaper than most. They charged 1.7 hrs labor, plus fluid drain \ fill & tax plus the $190 for ECGS materials = $520. I thought this was a great deal and much less than the Toyota dealership that wanted; yes $ 4000 to replace the entire differential. Thanks again for the input and guidance!

 

My 2022 with 22k miles is currently at the dealer for new differential.

 

Hopefully that will be the fix. Toyota refuses to admit that the ECGS bushing is a less expensive and more permanent fix.

 

Well if not they'll have to put in another one perhaps. It's weird this is the first I've heard about this problem after purchasing the vehicle.

 

I just hate for a put together vehicle at the Japan factory to be significantly worked on by dealership monkeys

 

I know I've read posts about it, but cannot locate one. If you're one of those who had the front differential replaced due to needle bearing issues, just to have the needle bearing start howling again afterwards, post up here...

 

My thoughts exactly, really is a shame.