ECGS bushing install failure

The tool wouldn’t get past about a 45 degree angle. It wasn’t anywhere near the bearing lip. I would have just been smashing the middle of the bearing. If it would even stay in place once hammered. It was just so insanely too large for the space.

 

If you still have your tool, measure it.
I’ll measure mine when I get home.
Something doesn’t sound right.

 

About 1 9/16” wide, 1/8” thick. I personally think it was the thickness that was the problem.

 

was it a corrosion and/or salt issue?

i did the ecgs bearing and 6112/5160s myself having never done it before and it was relatively straightforward. In case anyone is reading this thread and thinking of doing the same installs and might be getting scared away from doing it, i would say dont be. However, might be a good idea to see the condition of the bolts you'll need to remove

 

It was nothing that should scare anyone away, it was just tedious. Probably added a solid hour to the job.

The worst of it was the three nuts that attach the top hat to the frame. The nuts and bolts didn’t look corroded, the problem is access. There’s not enough space between the nuts and the fender liner to get a deep socket in with a breaker bar; there’s just barely enough space with a ratchet. And one of the three is in the back, behind the shock main bolt, and it’s slightly angled inward. With a socket and breaker bar it might’ve been easier. But they were all definitely frozen. Also a couple of the bolts that attach the LCA to the wheel hub were bitches and they were definitely corroded.

The worst overall in the whole project though was the forward most leaf spring bolt. It took PB blaster, Aero Kroil, multiple heatings and every ounce of strength I had on a two foot breaker bar. It was also difficult to get the springs out of those mounts.

It is what it is, a 7 year old vehicle is going to have frozen hardware.

The ECGS bushing is a whole different story, I think people just need to be fully prepared to shave it down until it fits.

 

Here's what I did when I made mine. I brazed a 1/4" lock washer on it and attached a wire just in case. I would have used a fine thread rod but I didn't have it handy.

 

So smart. I see you shaved one end down so the edge is thin.

 

I measured mine. It’s not been modified in any way.

FWIW, I still recommend buying the tool.
It was worth the $30 for me.

 

Pretty much same dimensions.

One possibility is my needle bearing is pushed slightly further into the diff than most, leaving less room for the tool.

Perhaps that’s the key variable with all these folks who had to grind theirs down.

 

I just had my dealership do it... they install them on all the new trucks they lift so figured they know what they're doing. Gal on phone said around $800, went in and talked to a service rep... he said $430...wtf? Anyway, got it done and rep said it came in lower at $380. Maybe taking the skids plates off prior to coming saved me $50?

 

Wow that’s high. ECGS quoted between 1 and 2 hours at a rate of $130.

 

I thought the fitment issue with the ECGS tool was fixed years ago
Shame to hear this is still going on
Purchased the tool months ago, waiting to find the time (and balls) to install the bushing

 

I’ve done it several times now, with two different tools and I had to grind on both of them. I think even ECGS mentions it somewhere in their literature but nobody ever reads directions anymore

 

well, I look forward to doing mine now

 

2+ years ago I did the exact same thing. It was the summer and 110F in the garage and the only thing that got me through the entire process of eventually replacing the bushing......was ice cold beers. I'm not too pretty and not too proud, but it worked.

Edit, now that I did the search it was 3.5 years ago.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ecgs-bushing-i’m-in-a-better-place.564238/

 

I just bought 3rd gen shocks from a 2018 offroad. 173,000 miles and no problems with noise or vibration in front diff. Will that extra 1inch lift that 3rd gen shocks give make me have to so ecgs bearing. Tia. 07 v6 base 4x4

 

I have done over 20 ecgs bushing installs now. I do them for $225 as of today. It's not a simple job as you have found out. Just did one 2 days ago.

Every lift is different. Some folks get the bad vibes at 1" lift. Some get them at 2.5" lift. Sometimes you get lucky and no vibes.

 

I bought my removal tool a couple years ago from ECGS. Hopefully/maybe, they have changed it.

If not the removal tool IS TOO LARGE. I grinded one side down just slightly, and now it fits every Tacoma (over 20) perfectly.

 

I’m here at ECGS right now while they do the bearing replacement. They said the tool not fitting is an old issue and they’ve revised the spec. Didn’t have an explanation for why I had trouble with mine. But they did say the spec tolerance is very tight.

 

ECGS just finished swapping the bearing for the bushing, took her for a test drive and no more rumbles. ECGS was an absolute class act. Charged me only $145 and let me return the tools. Brandon was my contact, super nice dude. Just great all around experience, they even gave me a t-shirt.

Thanks again @hyrule_trd for the suggestion.

Off to enjoy my new suspension!