ECGS bearing install

Is there anyone in the Cincinnati area that can install the ECGS Bushing to replace the needle bearing? I’m looking for a reliable shop or mechanic. I called ECGS and they said the part is $60, bearing removal tool is $60 and is an hour job for about $160.

 

I live in Chillicothe. I can loan you the puller if you want to come and get it. I installed mine myself. Wasn’t too bad. Some good content on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/m9W31KGy6k0

 

I was able to bring the ECGS bushing to my local toyota dealer and they had no issue using the warranty and replacing my needle bearing with the ECGS bushing today. I supplied the bearing, instructions and video to the tech and in progress now....

 

Is the problem always the drivers side?

 

Yes.

 

its amazing how smooth it feels with the ECGS bushing rather than the toyota bearing.

 

Very cool that they would do this for you.

 

Ordered my ECGS bushing. The vibe is getting worse and I have a big road trip to Baja in less than a week. This thread saved me, it was driving me nuts trying to figure it out.
Thanks!

 

No needle bearing on passenger side

 

OK good to know. thanks

 

make sure you put a new seal in and check for leaks when done. I ended up with a tiny cut in my seal and had to take it apart again and replace the seal too.

 

I decided to order preemptively after hearing enough stories of vines after a lift. Ordered a new seal in case.

 

I'm curious if anyone knows...What is the purpose of the needle bearing on just one side of the diff?

 

Design flaw!

 

One side of the diff is the short side (front IFS diff position is not symmetrical), that has no axle coupled to it, so it needs a self-supporting bearing, like a needle bearing or bushing, to both align and support the short-side output hub. The other side has the stub-shaft and 4WD coupling mechanisms, so it has multiple points of support and alignment and does not need a needle bearing.

The reason the Toyota solution is weak, is they are asking that bearing to do a lot of things, and by design it must have a little play to prevent binding. Pressed bearings on a short shaft would be better, but would require much more disassembly to change out. In some ways Toyota did us a favour with a single, loose tolerance, needle bearing solution, as it makes working on the system a littler easier. It just doesn’t tolerate a lift is all.