ECGS Bushing - Is it a must?

Does the dealership need those special tools?

 

Good question. Different bearing supplier? Cost saving?

 

Dealerships all should have bearing pullers of the correct size. If not for this job, then for differential work in general.

 

I’m on stock needle bearing. Been lifted for a year now, no issues and I’m not easy on my truck at times. Truck drives very smooth on highways.

 

You will likely eventually need to replace it. After 150K on 2.5 inch lift, I finally had to replace mine. And I barely perceived any vibrations; however, there was significantly play on driver-side CV shaft. Could have been just the CV but my mechanic said the needle bearing was worn down and the oem CV looked good. I had him put in a Cardone CV and kept the oem CV as backup.

 

I’m on bone stock suspension, with stock tires. Owned truck from 4K miles and since then, at 80 mph, I had a vibration. I was concerned it’s just the faster spinning of the stock manual transmission’s 4.30 gears causing the issue. Then I later regeared to 5.29, which I was curious to see if the problem would be worse. I did the ECGS bushing during the regear and vibrations were completely gone, despite my new driveshaft rpm of 4800 at 80. Still stock tires and suspension.

I’d argue that the diff bushing is pretty much always a good idea, no matter what. In other words, it’s never a bad idea, as evidenced by a completely stock truck.

 

What's a reasonable labor estimated hours? I was quoted for 3 hrs.

 

I had my TRD lift done before taking delivery and they did not change the bushing

 

Interesting. this bushing deal is starting to sound like these timing cover leaks, or why some tacomas with the automatics run better than others.

 

It is easy job - 1-2 hours. Thats why I am considering to do it by myself.

 

Not unreasonable, but any tech worth their salt can have it done in an hour

 

then 3 hours seems too high. Not sure why this shop needs 3 hours if they said they do it all the time. I’m debating if I should attempt it myself

 

If they say they do it all the time then it should be an hour. Maybe an hour and a half (never know how rusty and crusty a customers truck might be) We get them done in an hour in my shop and not everyone here is a lifted 4x4 Taco guy.

Now if they're also including an alignment then 3 hours is definitely reasonable. Shouldn't need an alignment because you really don't need to remove tie rods or change anything to get the CV out if you know what you're doing.

 

I changed my driver side needle bearing about 3 years ago, along with the wheel hub and cv axle. Blew them up in a deep washout. Put in replacement OEM needle bearing.

I am offroad weekly, and crap washboard and pothole roads. Horrible roads really.

My driver side is gone again. Got under the truck today and the CV axle at the diff has way too much play in it now. Clunk clunk clunk, up and down and also in and out. Round and round we go... Just 3 weeks ago it was solid with no play. It went fast. Passenger side CV axle play has not changed in the last 3 years. It is still tight.

I just changed my passenger swaybar link for the second time in the last 8 months. Last one I put in was after market, heavy duty with grease fittings. Did not last long.

My truck has a very minor 0.8 inch lift on the front from Bilstein 5100. Other than that, stock except for Firestone rear air bags.

I ordered the ECGS bushing.

 

Ditch the swaybars. Much better ride, esp off road

 

No way, too much roll for my liking.

 

Just how fast are you driving? Lol

 

I had a metallic whirring noise could be be heard and felt coming from the front driver side wheel when off-roading. I initially thought it was a bad front radiator/cab mount bushing but when I re-geared with ECGS with the bushing and solid pinion spacers, the noise hasn't come back since. When I pulled the diffs out and inspected the bearing, it looked perfect, nothing was broken and all the needles were there.

 

I definitely don’t off-road as much as you do, maybe that’s why mine is still good.

Im gonna keep my eye on it, truck is 6 years old now and got 82k km.

 

I couldn’t recommend this enough. My truck rides soooo much nicer off-road without the sway bar.

Truck handles just fine on highway as well, im lifted 1.75” in front and 2” in the back. Drove for 9 hours yesterday through mountain passes, fun drive.