ECGS install advice

Don't remember the direction of the tool mattering when I did mine. But I had to grind it down to fit it behind the bearing

 

Update

I’m in the process.
Worst part so far was the caliper bolts.
The red loctite really held TIGHT.
The Diff Drain plug was also really tight. I used an impact screw driver. It came loose.
The dust cover over the axle nut was also hard to get started off. I finally used a wood chisel and it came right out. It is “sharper” and thinner to get a gap started.

The spring in the seal for the back of the knuckle fell out broken when I pulled the hub out. Weird?

Now, I have a few questions.

1. Would you put a little Diff fluid on the bushing to help drive it in?

2. How does the OEM axle look?

3. Would you use any RTV on the axle nut dust shield?

 

Don't worry about lubing the bushing, it'll just make it slippery and harder to handle

Axle looks fine, just straighten out that bend in the shield

You might consider a new axle nut cover, you don't want water in there hanging around

Why did you remove the hub/bearing assembly? Also I'd stay away from loctite on the caliper bolts, you're just giving yourself more threads to clean before the bolt can go back in

 

The bearing is bad. And I also have vibes.
I figured I do it all at once.

I don’t have a new cover. I may try a thin coat of RTV and replace it later.
I also pulled the ABS Sensor. It actually came out easy. It had some grease on it from the failed bearing.
I was amazed it didn’t throw a code.

The bend on the axle seal was from the pry bar. I’m doing this myself.
It was interesting trying to hold it up and pry out at the same time.
It too, came out easier than expected.

I have a new axle. I picked up a Napa HD just in case.

 

Update

It’s in. I chose to reuse the OEM axle.

The needle bearing got broken at some point. I thinking this was when I had to tap the puller in behind the bearing.
Magnet tool fished the out right in the area where the too sits. So far so good.

 

Also, does the axle move in and out slightly as the truck is driven?

I pushed mine in all the way.
Even though there is the normal play in and out. I just pressed it all the way in.

 

BTW. The worst part was filling the diff.

And I used Beck/Arnley Hubs.
The hub had an O-Ring on it. And came with one in the bag with the outer dust seal. Not sure why they put on on the hub and give you an extra?

And yes. I know those hubs aren’t the best. I bought some hubs from a previous forum member (he’s jonlonger a member) I bout the expensive one. They last 3 years. So I’ll see how long these last.

The old hub had black geese leaking from the bearings. The bearing said Koyo. Just not sure why the grease melted out like it did?

 

Its probably fine, koyo is a good brand

 

The old hub was shot. It was definitely bad. The new hub didn’t say Koyo.
It was Becky/Arnley. In all honesty, it’s probably a rebranded Dorman?

 

Oops i misread..

Even if it is a Dorman i wouldn't worry, I use their stuff all the time and its usually fine. I have a parts rep who could look into the Beck Arnley number and possibly see what components are used

 

That would be cool. You don’t have too.
But it would be interesting to know.
Like I say, I knew fully that they probably weren’t using Koyo.

TBH, I went with the best one on RockAuto. Which was B/A. (If that even holds true?)
I guess we’ll see. If it makes it 3 years. I’ll be “happy”. Since it was about 1/3 the cost of the others I bought before.

 

I almost forgot. The axle played nice this time.
It came out easy and went in easy.
I gave it a few good shoves and POP it went in.

I usually check to see if it will pull back out. But I forgot this time.
I was busy talking with my father while doing it.
Hopefully the C-Clip didn’t break. I always check to see if it will pull back out.
I just for got to this time. But it’s definitely in there all the way.

I have the same in and out play as usual.
There’s definitely something stopping it from coming out when I pull on it by hand.
It hits on something both ways. In on the bushing and out on the C-Clip I guess?

 

Shooter, good to hear. Did you lube the inside of the bushing before you installed the axle?
I think it was Bro that said he didn't replace his axle seal, I didn't either and mine's been fine.
Yes, I think a light film of RTV on the rim of the dust cap would be fine. Don't Loctite your caliper bolts, do Loctite your lower ball joint bolts.
Keep us posted!

 

No, I didn’t lube it with Diff Fluid.
I did hit it with WD40 just to help it slide past the seal.
I didn’t really think about lubing the axle.

Hopefully Diff fluid makes it in there. I know it definitely runs out when you pull the seal.
Even if you drain the Diff. There is a gap between the seal and inside Diff face.
Fluid gets “trapped” there.

I might run the right side wheel up on a hill and get some Diff fluid to run down the tube and into the bushing. Or I might just leave it alone. So far I haven’t noticed anything different. Seems ok so far?

I replace my seal because it was starting to leak. It was dripping yet. Just discoloration below the axle tube where the axle slides in.

BTW, 85-140 fluid is a PITA to squeeze in. Took for ever.
And I didn’t get the whole 1.6 qts in it. I got maybe 1.4. It just kept running out the fill hole.
The truck was level on jack stands.

 

Yes, squeezing that fluid out of the containers is a real booger, especially once you get some on the outside of the container. I had some polyethylene tubing laying around, I think it was like 1/2" or something a little smaller. I fed that into the fill hole from the front driver side wheel well and squeezed it in while sitting on my roll around stool. The tip of the bottle fit into the tube really well. That made it much easier.
I have a pump that works well, but even that gets tiring laying on your back on a creeper, after a little while, doing the offset bench press, lol.
It sounds like you're good to go!

 

I did that. And I squeezed really hard to make the fluid come out faster. Blew the hose off the bottle and fluid went all over the place. I had the bright idea to run the hose through the hole in the frame.
Fluid is still running out of a few place
where I spilled it.

Live and learn.

I don’t even like look under the truck.

 

A home brew fluid transfer pump (from a garden sprayer) makes short order of it.

 

That’s awesome!
Good idea.

 

I changed the original wand to this one ($10 on Ebay) that has a ball valve and is a little more robust.

 

Did you replace the oil seals while you were in there?