Needle Bearing - Yes, Replace It (ECGS)

If you figure this out for certain, ideally w/ calipers to the thousandth of an inch, please share here. I have a set of bearing pullers & seal insertion tools already & would rather use those if they'll work, vs. paying for ECGS's special tool.

 

Inner 1.400", outter 1.595"

 

I would like to get in the queue for the loaner tools!

I have the bushing, but I was going to get my mechanic use his puller, but it sounds from this thread like the specialty tools will make it easier if we don't remove the axle.

I'm not in a rush, probably won't do this work until mid-October.

Edit: I see there are a couple folks ahead of me. I would still like to get in the queue.

My Taco is at 130K, stock height with 6112/5100's but we are swapping in stiffer coils and the RXT leaf pack, longer rear hoses, and a Powerstop brake kit... so the bushing fix is a no-brainer.

 

When you put it in four-wheel drive you put tension in the axles against the needle bearing which stops the vibration. That's why putting it in four-wheel calms it down. The driver side is a needle bearing and the passenger side is a big roller bearing. I'm assuming the engineers chose it this way because there's more angle on the driver side axle to hub ( shorter distance from hub to diff ) and the needle bearing is much wider than the passenger side roller bearing. There is just too much play in the system ( see the YouTube videos I linked up in this thread). The play is what causes the vibration and what eventually erodes the needle bearing race down to start spitting needle bearings into the diff. The ECGS fix is a bushing similar to that found in engine. The bushing removes the play and is even a little wider than the needle bearings to give a little extra support (in this thread previously I've linked pictures of that as well).

 

Welp, apparently it was sent off to @Treetop89 and they have 0 posts, joined July 31, and haven't been online since August 14.

Don't think the tool's making it's way around any time soon.

 

Hopefully they pop back up... that is not cool if it disappears that quickly.

 

I think there might be other shared ecgs tools floating around the site.
I was hoping to get in on borrowing one once I get my bushing.
The removal tool doesn't look difficult to make.

 

It'll show up on EBag for $50 Buy It Now + $24.95 shipping.

 

This is a concept only taken off the wall anchor idea of a spring loaded removal tool. Made strong enough and to size would require no trimming.
Possibly universal?
Where are the machine shop guys at?

 

The ECGS tool is cheap enough that it isn't really worth the time to build .... I have a metal lathe and mill and I still bought the ECGS tool. I have not broken one yet. The blind inner bearing puller below I think worked as well. Then you have it for other projects. I like where your head is at though!!!

 

What @MyWyfsRnnr says is true. If you are getting this done with a trusted mechanic, they already have a bearing puller/setter. It's a CV bearing... very common repair/replace. If you want to DIY, ask here and/or look on Ebay for the puller/setter.

 

Just got 4 more bushings in stock today. One is accounted for (2022 4Runner it's supposed to be in at the end of the week). Still can't believe they are still putting these differentials in without fixing the issue they know about.

 

has anyone experience the bushing going bad? I'm trying to track down a bearing grinding sensation coming from what feels like inner drive line. I replaced my needle bearing with the ECGS bushing 30k ago along with new Koyo front hubs. changing into 4x4 doesn't make the feeling go away tho, but I wonder if that check works differently now that there isn't a needle bearing there?

 

have a slight vibe starting. are all the 16+ Tacoma's the 8" version? I have a 2019 sport, if it makes a difference. Ski

 

Double check your hub bearings first... I saw that you replaced them 30k ago but that does not always mean they are still good. A dragging caliper or a failing cv can also give you some weird feelings as well as a cupped tire even. Start with checking the easiest first and keep in mind that "N E W" doesn't always mean "G O O D". I would say 20% of new parts have some sort of defect. I just had 3 bad news starters in a row right out of the box. One was from the dealership. Go though and check tire wear, wheel bearings, then look at caliper then check for to much play in the axle. If none of those, have to start thinking of the weird things (not excluding a bad bushing but that is highly unlikely)

All Tacomas (4x4) have the same design and I believe it started in '05. It is the 8" diff.

 

Any help is appreciated, hoping to knock the dust of this old thread. Theres so many clamshell bushings out there some are 30 bucks the ecgs clamshell is 70. they all look identical, did everyone go with the ecgs? did anyone here buy and install an alternate bushing? there's some from toltec lifts, Nitrogear there's some on Amazon and eBay that have the same specs and materials of those of ecgs.

 

as long as you get one that is an 8" clamshell bushing made for a toyota you should be good. Id recommend ecgs or nitro sicne those are very reputable brands. Buying from ecgs is probably the best bet, cause then you can buy the removal and installer tool while youre at it, i think you get a small discount when you bundle the tools and bushing

 

I would change this bearing, the problem that I'm in dubai can't find the ecgs unfortunately

 

The tools are all the same, some people just think it should be super easy to get the puller positioned. I agree with knocking the edges off the tool, will help it to slip into place easier. The sharper edge will more easily stick and bind.

It’s a tight confined space, it needs to go in at an angle and then get pulled flat. A magnet on a telescoping handle works the best in positioning the puller.

 

I can tell you for a fact that the puller piece would not rotate within the space. I used a magnet. The dimensions were simply too large and that’s what I told ECGS when I returned the tool. I doubt so many have ground down theirs without necessity.

How would you know they’re all the same unless you work for ECGS in QA and measure them all off the manufacturing line?