Ecgs replacement necessary when lifting?

I was curious if the ecgs bushings were recommended or a must when upgrading to a lift? I'm going 5100 all aroumd, 888 and hs 3 aal and a 1" body lift. Should I do it? Also, where can i purchase them? Thanks fellas

 

You most likely won’t need it for 1” - I didn’t do it at 1.5”. Waiting to see won’t hurt anything.

 

Some need it and some don't no matter how much lift... It's a roll of the dice.

My dealer puts 3 inch lifts on new Tacomas and said they have never lifted one that vibrated after.

 

Lift it. Drive it. If/when the front end begins growling/vibrating get the ECGS Bushing done.

 

Some start thousands of miles after the lift- I’d do it for a 3-inch or higher lift, but not for less than 2”.

 

Correct. My point is just that the ECG part is not a prerequisite to lift.

 

Okay yeah I might do it anyways. I saw in another thread of a link to purchase them but I can't find it now. I'm going 3.5" so I reckon I ought to do it just in case.

 

No.

 

If you're ripping apart the front end, why not just do it?

When I lifted my 2013 I didn't do it and had vibrations. It stunk having to rip everything apart again to put it in. If I lift again, I'm doing it from the get go.

 

The only steps that lifting the front end and replacing the needle bearing have in common is removing the wheel, the bottom shock bolt and maybe the two bolts holding the hub assembly to the LCA. I know many trucks with 3 inch lifts where the needle bearing never went bad including my 2010. 80,000 miles over 7 years of hard wheeling and bush work and the bearing was mint when I past inspected it with no excessive axle play.

 

I did the same 5100, 887 lift you are looking at, and found out the next morning after the lift I needed the ECGS. It was definitely the problem, vibes went away. Now if I can get my leafs to stop squeaking all would be good.

 

2.5” in my front. Stock bushing. No vibes at this time. Driven 5,000+ miles with it.

 

I lifted only 1” and the growling was present within the first 1/4 mile. This was a truck with 2k miles. It’s not when it wears out but a clearance issue that becomes apparent when more angle puts more contact and strain on the needle bearing. Like others have said try it first if not it can be changed by just loosening the bottom two ball joint bolts and removing the inner side of the cv axle, an hour job if your ready. I tried first without the bushing also.

 

For longer lasting results. Flex it out separating the leafs and pressure wash the flexed out side then spray with some kind of degreaser. Repeat on adjacent side.

Or do the opposite and spray with wd40 or similar and it’ll last for a couple months

 

Anyone know where I can buy them for a good price? Think I saw them in another thread for like $65

 

That's the deal...you already have the control arms off...zip off the axle nut, pull the CV shaft, pull the seal and bearing, install the bushing, installation is the reverse of removal, top off the fluid...it adds 20 minutes to the job if you are doing it in your driveway.

 

I use fluid film...seems to work

 

Is the ecgs bushing in both sides or just drivers ?

 

Drivers side only

 

Mine didn’t vibrate, shake, or make noise at all after the lift and I have 3000 miles on the truck. However, when I regeared recently there was noticeable damage to the bushing. The guys that did my gears told me that it was a good thing they fixed it early cause it could of lead to worse damage. Just because it’s not vibrating or making noises doesn’t mean there isn’t damage being done.

Also I didn’t do the ECGS bushing to fix it. I just installed an ARB front locker. Issue fixed for good.