Ecgs needling bearing brushing replacement???

I'm about to do my needle bearing replace with the ecgs bushing. Which end of the bushing goes in first the smooth side or the other other end?

 

Side shown in the first pic goes into the diff.

 

Also make sure to inspect your needle bearing when you get it out. It’s common for little pieces to break off while you are removing it.

 

Thanks for the tip! I'm planning on doing it tomorrow morning after work. It's in the freezer right now untill then to help it shrink a little so it'll go in easier. And I got a bushing install tool already.

 

Hardest part for me was getting the drive shaft out and then back in

 

I was really happy with this upgrade my old bearing was loose enough to cause a minor vibration. I found a pic of the piece that broke off. I was able to grab it with a magnet so it was no problem.

 

About how long does it take to swap it out? 3 hours?

 

Depends on what tools you have available and how comfortable you are with mechanical work but I think 3 hours sounds good. Everything came apart pretty easily for me but I did fight with removing the cv for a bit.

 

Did you had to put paper towels or anything inside the diff so you don't loose the tool putting it in?

 

You should , if it falls in the diff there is no way to get it out with out taking the whole differential apart.
This is a case of Better safe than Sorry.
I’d probably use a plastic bag. It won’t absorb the gear oil and tear apart like a paper towel.

 

Yeah I used a plastic grocery bag rolled into a tight ball. It filled the space and was easy to pull out with a pair of needle nose. I don’t think the tool would have gone in but like tnshooter said definitely better to take the extra precaution. Dropping that tool in the diff would completely ruin your day.

 

Toughest part for me was getting that removal bit behind the bearing. I had to whack it harder than I thought I should have to, to get it back there, but definitely took my time. Once in position the rest was easy.

 

And, just unbolt your bottom ball joint from the lower control arm and leave the axle shaft in the front hub. You can pop the axle out and swing the whole thing forward, out of the way. Hold it wit a bungee cord. That way you don't have to remove the axle nut and go through all that hub hassle.
Also, put some red Loctite on the two ball joint bolts when you reinstall them.

 

How far in do you press the new bushing in?

 

You’ll feel it seat. It does stick out just a hair.

 

If I remember correctly, the video on ECGS website shows the correct depth.

 

Yeah I was a little bit concerned it was going to get bound up in there at first.

 

Got it all in. Had a hard time getting the axle out also. Had to wrap a chain around jt and use a big hammer as a slide hammer.

Also I had to modify the tool couldn't get it stand up straight inside. Grind around the corner edges and made it thinner. Also grind the end of it to make it work.

 

What did you guys use to press in the new bearing?

 

I use a seal driver set