2020 Tundra growling cyclical noise in front when turning

Hey Team,
So I’ve read a lot of the same issue with mixed results so hoping I can try to get one answer on here.

Scenario:
I have a new 2020 Tundra crew max 4wd with 4,000 miles on it. At 3,000 miles I put a 3/2 lift on it with 34’s (with diff drop and no rubbing). Around 3,200 miles I started hearing a low, cylindrical/rotating/growling noise (“wop wop wop”) when I’m going 15-25 mph and turning/cornering (around 80-85% turn in both directions). I can also feel it in the steering wheel. Around the same time as the lift, I did start towing a small trailer (1,000 lbs) about once a month for 10 miles total (not sure if this may have anything to do with it). Sometimes I had to use my 4wd on pavement for a few yards too since sometimes my rear wheels go in mud.

When I pop the truck into 4wd for a few feet and back to 2WD, the noise seems to go away for a bit. But eventually always comes back.

I took the truck in to the dealership to look at and for it’s 6 month service at 4,000 miles and the dealership said they couldn’t replicate it. I went on a test drive with them and they said it was my tires. I told them I switched back to stock tires and the noise was still there. Also told them my friends Tundras with the same setup doesn’t have it. They didn’t believe me and said the next step would be for me to remove the lift and put back the stock tires and then they could diagnose it. And that because it’s a new truck they doubt it’s the truck and it’s the tires.

On our website I’ve read about this on older models, but haven’t seen anything with low miles or on newer models. I’ve also seen people describe a metal on metal or high pitch squeaking noise, but this isn’t that either. I’ve had an old Dakota that I had to change the power steering and rack pinion, and this isn’t that either. So I’m stumped.

Any advice on what this is and how to deal with the dealership? I’m still under warranty so blows my mind they won’t do their best to research it since corporate would be paying for everything!

 

Sounds like the needle bearing in the front diff. I haven’t heard of one going out with such low miles though. Toyota’s fix is to replace the entire front diff.

Depending on how your dealer is, they might try to blame the lift. But the lift doesn’t cause it and there are stock trucks that have this issue. If it turns out to be the bearing, that’s how I’d argue it.

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/files/PDF Files/tsb-0121-08-t9r-front-diff-growl.pdf

https://www.tundras.com/threads/tsb-front-diff.42236/


https://www.tundras.com/threads/slight-grinding-felt-thru-gas-pedal.41858/#post-1070063

 

Thank you for the info and reply! Yes seems odd that I only have 4,000 miles and have this issue. But also odd that after I go in and out of 4wd it goes away for a bit.

Also noticed my shifter has trouble going in park and drive sometimes. But not sure if that’s related or I’m just being anal.

 

Anyone else have this issue with this low miles?