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Front Diff Noise

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by tomdoe13, Jan 29, 2023.

  1. Jan 29, 2023 at 5:37 AM
    #1
    tomdoe13

    tomdoe13 [OP] New Member

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    Hi All - Hoping someone can help me out on this. The driver side wheel of my 2002 limited has rolling resistance and there is a clicking noise in differential where it meets axle. I jacked the truck up and removed the brakes to make sure that wasn’t the cause. Resistance was still there and clicking noise remained. Changed diff fluid and it looked normal too.
    Also put truck 4wd and driver side wheel would not spin unless I blipped the throttle.

    I was leaning towards a needle bearing but I only get a slight vibration at high speeds 70-80 mph. No parts were hot to the touch after driving.
     
  2. Jan 29, 2023 at 7:26 PM
    #2
    NickB_01TRD

    NickB_01TRD You don't need less cars, just more driveway.

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    Does the noise go away in 2wd or 4wd or always there?
     
  3. Jan 29, 2023 at 8:34 PM
    #3
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

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    CV axle or differential needle bearing are good targets. As @NickB_01TRD mentioned, the noise will go away or change dramatically in 4WD as the tension or load on the bearing increases. If your noise doesn't go away, then CV axle is a good next culprit. Sometimes noises can get transmitted through the frame or the drivetrain. My right front wheel bearing is failing, but I swear I hear it on the left.
     
    NickB_01TRD likes this.
  4. Jan 30, 2023 at 6:25 AM
    #4
    tomdoe13

    tomdoe13 [OP] New Member

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    Appreciate the replies. There are no odd noises while driving and vibration only occurs at high speeds. I first noticed the resistance and clicking sound when changing brakes. I narrowed it down to the differential with a stethoscope so that’s why I was leaning needle bearing.
     
    KNABORES likes this.
  5. Jan 30, 2023 at 7:29 AM
    #5
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

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    I'm going to ask this, and you're going to think I'm crazy, just like several other people who fixed their problem this way.

    You just said three things with a commonality: "resistance" and "just changed brakes" and "vibration at speed"

    I'm not going to bother to say how many people have found their rear brakes being improperly adjusted caused ALL of the problems you just mentioned. I'll just say, it's enough that there's an entire 2-page thread dedicated to rear brake adjustment.

    I'd ask you two things:
    1. Have you tried activating and releasing the e-brake several times back-to-back since the brake job, or at all recently? If your rear brakes are in working order, this should adjust them out IF they're installed correctly and nothing is frozen/not working.
    2. Are you 100% positive the brake work was done properly?
    Don't get me wrong, wobbles at high speed can be any number of things, including tire balance, transmission, driveline. But if this just started after brake work ... smartest place to start is there. And knowing there's a known link between brakes and your symptoms ...

    Mind you - you may have two things going on. It's possible you've got a CV on the way out. Do you get any extra/louder clicking while turning at low speed?
     
    FrenchToasty likes this.
  6. Jan 30, 2023 at 7:39 AM
    #6
    tomdoe13

    tomdoe13 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the reply. Slight vibration was there prior to brake job. My real concern is resistance felt in front driver side wheel coupled with clicking noise in differential. Next steps would be trying to isolate axle from wheel bearing to see if noise is truly differential or wheel bearing but was hoping to avoid that for now.
     
  7. Jan 30, 2023 at 8:15 AM
    #7
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

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    Ah - "resistance felt in front driver side wheel coupled with clicking noise in differential", and "no parts hot to the touch" (I assume front & rear)

    Any noise wen you jack up the front driver side wheel, and manually spin it while straight ahead, at full lock left, and at full lock right?

    Vibration at high speed ... again, sorry for the stupid question, but when's the last time you had your wheel balance checked, or rotated your tires? If you've only got one wheel out of balance, you can try swapping fronts to rears, and if it resolves, you know the vibration/shimmy is wheel related.

    Is the truck lifted, by chance? Kinda of an important detail in relation to axles and vibration.
     
  8. Jan 30, 2023 at 1:45 PM
    #8
    tomdoe13

    tomdoe13 [OP] New Member

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    The noise was only noticeable when front end was in the air and is limited to driver side front. I checked all wheels when doing a brake job and the driver front was the only wheel with an issue (all brake components removed). There is much more resistance on driver side vs passenger. The driver side almost comes to an immediate stop after spinning vs the passenger side which spins freely afterwards. The only noise I was able to nail down was the clicking in differential, not sure if normal or not. I can't remember if I tested for noise at full lock but it was harder to spin the wheel at full lock in either direction.

    Tires are brand new and balanced (less than 1k miles on them) but there was a similar vibration prior to replacement. This vibration is not terrible and my concern was moreso the resistance I felt when manually spinning driver side front.

    Truck is not lifted but has the TRD off-road package.

    I went back out after your comment and was unable to replicate the noise again but there is still a resistance felt with front end jacked up.

    Hope this helps.
     
    shifty` likes this.
  9. Jan 30, 2023 at 1:50 PM
    #9
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

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    Sounds like a frozen brake caliper. Either stuck piston or sticking pins.
     
  10. Jan 30, 2023 at 1:52 PM
    #10
    tomdoe13

    tomdoe13 [OP] New Member

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    Resistance was felt with caliper and rotor removed.
     
  11. Jan 30, 2023 at 1:54 PM
    #11
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

    Joined:
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    Gender:
    Male
    Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2000 Limited TRD AC 4X4 Thunder Grey 270k miles. 2019 Limited TRD CM 4x4 Cement Grey 75k miles
    2000: Bilstein 5100's 16x8 589's with 265/75/16 and 1.25" spacers Flowmaster 50 series over the axle dump Pioneer touchscreen with backup camera Full interior and dash LED conversion Trailer brake controller with 7 pin Bedliner coat bumpers & trim ARE topper 2019: ARE topper with full Bedrug kit and Vortex rack TRD shifter 1.25" wheel spacers (I like to live dangerously) Red tow hooks for that +15 grip bonus
    Guess that eliminates them from the equation :rofl:
     
  12. Jan 30, 2023 at 1:55 PM
    #12
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

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    (see signature for truck info)
    Lack of heat, though. Anything w/caliper clamping or drum hanging would generate heat.
     

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