Front Diff Vibes ECGS bushing fix.

Anyone have a removal tool I could pay shipping on to and from?

 

Put an ECGS bushing in 100 miles ago and vibes are completely gone. Well worth it.

 

I should have mine back any day now since I saw in another thread that the guy I loaned it to is done with it. No definitive ETA though.

 

Anyone have a link to good tutorial for removing the CV axle in order to do the ECGS bushing install?

Thanks

 

The process is exactly the same for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen Tacomas and at least 3rd and 4th generation 4Runners. There are a lot of YouTube videos. Don't limit your search to only 3rd gen Tacomas.

I found that the best way is to get a really long flat head screwdriver. Long as in 18 to 24 inches and a BFH. There are lips on the inner joint that can put the tip of the screwdriver into and hit with the BFH. If it doesn't pop out, turn the axle a quarter turn and repeat.

It'll pop right out.

That method has worked far better for me that using a slide hammer and you can get both the screwdriver and hammer cheap at Harbor Freight.

 

Thanks I will use this method. Just a tad nervous ripping apart the front end of an almost brand new vehicle. But it seems like a lot of folks here have had great success with after the get rid of that damn needle bearing.

 

I had never pulled a CV before and was able to get it done by myself but it took longer than expected. I would recommend having someone else to help if possible and make sure you have all the tools ready. I had to buy a large socket to get the new seal started.

 

Where did you get it done and what was the cost? im in so cal and looking for a good guy to install this for me

 

I just got my ecgs bushing installed, made a big difference. Little to no vibration if any, must be the road. Sounds smooth, no more rumble in an intermittent motion. A must for all lifts or modified suspensions!

 

If you're replacing the seal as well (which is smart) I found that an inline PVC coupler that's meant to joint two 2" sections of PVC pipe has exactly the right diameter to push a seal in without tearing up the lip and generally runs less than $1 at the hardware store.

I got lucky and had one on hand.

 

My 2016 with 10,000 miles started with the front end noise as soon as I installed an Icon Stage 3 lift. I am geographically fortunate to live close enough to ECGS that I drove up to Raleigh today and had them do the bushing install.

They were friendly and had the job done in about an hour. The cost of the repair was $160 plus tax.

 

How does this issue present itself? What does it feel like/what are the symptoms?

 

It's basically a design flaw from Toyota. They will deny it, but the needle bearing on the drivers side (none on the passenger) vibrates at some point pretty bad from lifting/changing the drive line cv angle. It will vibrate intermittently or in a cycle and eventually stop at highway speeds. It tends to get worse in cold weather. Long term mileage will eventually chew up your cv shaft. This is an easy and long term fix. Toyota dealerships have been known to even replace the bearing with the EGCS bushing with warranty. Why hasn't Toyota fixed this stupid design???? Most people who aren't educated think it's an unbalanced tire .

I don't know why Toyota decided to put a needle bearing only on the drivers side, but ECGS makes a bushing that eliminates the factory bearing. It's very easy to install, but most shops have no idea about this issue or how to install it. If you show them a video they will be like "oh yeah that's cake!".

 

Gotcha.

So does is sound like a high freq vibe? Do you feel it ? An unbalanced tire kind of has a wobble feel to it and a shimmy in the steering wheel.

The only reason I'm asking is because I'm about to go in for my 20k service.

 

Sub'd

 

Would a diff drop prolong this issue? Sounds like no matter if your liffited or not it's gonna take a dump eventually definitely don't want needles in your spider gears. Also anyone have high miles on the ECSG bushing I'm kinda afraid to do mine just seems like Toyota used a needle bearing there for a reason and going to a solid bushing I'm worried if it may damage the axel shaft of carrier. How does it get lubricant from the diff housing is it bathed in oil?

 

IMO it sounded like cupped or feathered mud terrain tires when slowing in a corner.

 

Those are useless in my opinion. So many members have the ECGS bushing and some reported 100,000 miles or more on the bushing with no issues. I haven't seen one negative thing about the bushing.

 

Similar, mine sounded like a humming noise in 1 full second intervals. Actually it felt and sounded like when you drive on the side of the highway shoulder and hit the strips that vibrate like crazy to wake you up. Just a tad bit less noisey/less vibration.

 

No high frequency vibe, yes you feel it on the driver's floorboard, some in the pedal, some in the steering wheel.

Tends to go away when warmed up, you may have the service tech come back saying "unable to replicate"