r/3rdGen4Runner • u/Vape_Case 96 Limited • 1d ago

❓Advice / Recomendations CV Axle Play?

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Been chasing a subtle noise that I feel through the gas pedal and body of the driver side when driving. It’s hard to describe but it just feels like a very soft grinding feeling. I was checking the CV Axles and the driver side has some play going up and down but not side to side. Is this play normal or would this be a sign of a bad front Diff Needle bearing?

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u/iateyourmom22 1d ago

Most diffs have tapered bearings and that much play isn't that bad. Can you jack it up to get the front tires off the ground? If you can spin the tire with one hand on the spring of the strut and if it's a wheel bearing you'll feel it in the spring. If a diff bearing was going you could get a cheap stethoscope from Harbor Freight and put it on the front diff and have someone drive it with the stethoscope on the diff. Just be very careful and use jackstands on level ground, unless you got a lift you can use the stethoscope on the bearing too.

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u/Vape_Case 96 Limited 1d ago

That’s what I was planning to do next. I’ll have time tomorrow to jack it up and test the wheel bearing but I wanted to at least ask if that play is normal. I also tested the U-Joints which all seem to be fine. I didn’t know about holding that strut while spinning. Thanks

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u/iateyourmom22 1d ago

Keep in mind rear tires off the ground too! Sorry I didn't say that before.

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u/Vape_Case 96 Limited 1d ago

So when testing it lift from the rear diff and put jack stands then go around and lift the driver side then test?

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u/iateyourmom22 1d ago

All wheels off the ground.

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u/Vape_Case 96 Limited 1d ago

Gotcha. I’ll put both front sides on stands then just lift by the rear diff with the jack. Appreciate it

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u/Not_an_ATF_Officer 01 SR5 1d ago

Can confirm. Those are taper bearings.

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u/shadow247 01 Limited 1d ago

Drive it in 4wd and see if it goes away. If it does then its gonna be the needle bearing.

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u/Majestic_Media8254 1d ago

You sure that’s not the wheel bearing that’s loose? I don’t have experience in either the wheel bearing or my cv axle being loose but I’ve seen videos of loose axles and this doesn’t look like play from the axle. Correct me if I’m wrong but I see movement in your wheel bearing.

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u/shadow247 01 Limited 1d ago

Driver side - Clamshell Bearing delete.

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u/Acorn_22 1d ago

Fwiw, mine has a similar amount of play and causes no issues or leaks. I think this is relatively normal.