Do I need ECGS Bushing? CV Axle play

I've been reading through the mega thread on 4x4 front diff, and it has got me wondering if I need the UCGS Bushing, but my symptoms are not very clear...

I have about a 1.75" lift in the front, with a 2" lift in the rear. General Spring HD 4 leaf pack in the back, and Fox 2.5 remote res coilovers in the front. I installed the lift about 2 years ago, and have around 20,000 miles on it now.

Looking back at some old dealer service records (I am the 3rd owner), I see a toyota dealer did a "Differential Service and Fluid Change" at 55,800 miles (in Oct 2015). My truck has 167,700 miles on it now.

The standard vibration/shudder between 35-45 is not present for me. Those speeds are very smooth. Pretty much every speed from a stop up to 65 is very smooth. I do have a small shudder on takeoff, but thats just because I don't have a CB drop (its so small I don't care to solve it).
I've tried turning 4x4 on/off around 35-45 to see any difference; none that I can feel/hear.

I have had a general body-wide vibration between 65-70 for the entire vehicles life (ever since I bought it). Not very strong, but it does vibrate the passenger seat headrest a bit. But it could also just be the crappy roads where I'm at. Plus, having a stiffer suspension and bad roads can be misleading at times, especially when I'm running higher tire pressure.

Outside of vibrations, there is a faint lob-sided rotational sound coming from the front end (best description I came up with) that begins around 40 and kinda synchronizes with itself above 50MPH.

The big thing that got my thinking I might need this is the play in the CV shaft where it enters the diff (drivers side). I'd say theres about 1/8", maybe a little more, of play in all directions there. Passenger side CV also has some play, but it is about half as much as the drivers side. No oil leaks, I did a diff oil change myself about 17K miles ago, not a lot of metal shavings on the drain plug.

I don't think I can completely attribute the CV excessive play to a bearing wearing down. I did a 500 mile completely off road trip, and was extremely rough on the truck to say the least. 6"+ rocks going 50+ MPH in 4x4 for about 1/4 of that trip. (I'm actually suprised the truck has held up this well)

Given the CV axle play alone, is it worth it to get the bushing and swap it in? Does it take more than 20K with a lift to start hearing/feeling the needle bearing wearing out?

 

your symptoms sure don't sound typical of the needle bearing vibration. Seems like the primary symptom for it is the tail-tail vibration that goes away when you lock the 4x4 in at the 35-45 mph speeds.

Higher speed vibrations could be wheel bearings failing. At least on my 07', that was my indication that a front wheel bearing was failing, highway speed vibration.

Maybe someone else can help pinpoint something better for ya.

 

Your symptoms don’t sound like the needle bearing.
My front drive side cv had a fair bit of play even at 24k miles.

As for how long it takes to go bad, it varies but lifted trucks typically go bad faster.
My truck is not lifted, and I replaced mine at 134k.

What you describe, sounds closer to a wheel bearing.
But I am not really convinced that’s it, as you say you’ve a had a vibration since you’ve owned the truck.

When my front bearings were going bad, they would also make a vibration at highway speeds.
But they also made a sound (no vibration) at lower speeds also.

 

The symptoms of a bad needle bearing vary greatly, but I don't think excessive CV play is one. I personally had a whirring / whining noise that was worse when decelerating from high speeds (75-45mph range) accompanied by vibrations. After doing the swap I noticed the entire ride was smoother, so I suppose any driving vibration could be attributed to it.

My advice is if in doubt just do it. I'll even send the tool your way. Have no use for it anymore.

 

If you still have that tool I would like to get it from you. Thanks

 

That drivers side CV into the front diff always has lots more play than pass side. When I put new CVs in I changed to the bushing and lots less play and smoother running.
Vibrations are usually driveshaft (s)/u-joints/center support, wheel bearings, or tire tread/balance related issues. OEM rear drums can throw a weight too.
Put a new seal in at the same time as the bushing.

 

Check with @gixxerphil in AL he just mentioned to me he had the tool. Hit him up.

 

Thanks

 

I had my 5100 shocks set on highest setting and only recently replaced the bushing at 200K miles. I had no perceptible vibrations but my driver side shaft had excessive play. I had both replaced. Turned out nothing needed replacing at this point but glad I did it anyways. The oem bushing was worn but my shaft was in good condition - I am keeping it as a backup. I replaced with Cardone HD.

 

Looking for the ECGS tool if anybody is willing to send it over my way

 

For those in Canada, where are you getting the ECGS bearing. British Columbia. Thanks.

 

Bump.