Front Diff Vibes ECGS bushing fix.

Glad you got yours done. So I take you ended up removing the 35mm nut, etc....?

 

Yeah, I did. For me, at least, it gave me a direct line to yank with the cable and sledge and made it easier. Honestly, the hardest part of that whole process was getting the dust cover off. Stupid thing! I'm new to wrenching on anything so I lacked confidence until I got pissed which made all the difference. Cussing and anger seemed to do wonders. Although I was very careful driving the new bushing and removing and replacing the seal. Both went perfectly. Getting the axle back in… Not so much. Use the prybar and a hammer method to get it back in, wasn't too bad.

 

Glad you got it! Seems your luck is like mine, always harder than it should be...

 

Does anybody have the puller tool they want to sell for less then the retailed price

 

I will after today. PM me

 

Besides the piloted installers I made for installing the seal and the bushing, I also made up an aluminum guide to keep the bushing square and aligned to the hole when installing it. I made it out of a scrap piece of aluminum that was almost to the diameter needed to fit down into the bore for the seal, and even though it’s not a complete circle, it more than enough to do what it has to do.

The OD of the guide is .012 smaller in diameter than the OD of the seal so that it has a little side to side play to allow the bushing to center on the hole. The ID on the guide is .003 bigger than the OD of the bushing, and I felt that this small amount of clearance will make it work better than if I made It with hardly any clearance.

So once I get the needle bearing removed, I’ll hold the guide with the gushing down into the bore for the seal with my left hand, then I’ll insert the bushing driver and handle into the bushing, and holding everything in place, I’ll have my buddy start driving in the bushing in.

I’m going over to my buddy place tomorrow and see when I can take my truck over to his shop and use his 2 post lift and get-r-done.

 

I confirmed this is true. I only had to remove the 2 lower arm-to-steering knuckle bolts and 1 of the sway bar joint link nuts. I also turned the steering wheel almost all the way to the left to push the steering knuckle out which gives more room to pull the c/v shaft. This is enough to get the axle pulled out of the diff and replace the needle bearing with the bushing.

 

Good info. What method did you use for pulling the axle out of the diff.?

 

Prybar b/w the axle and diff housing. Took a good whack to get it to pop out.

I also used a short piece of 2x4 wood b/w the steering knuckle and lower arm just to hold outward pressure on the axle.

 

so sounds like anyone considering the lift of any shape and form regardless if its 2016+ or 2012+ you have to do this or deal with vibration, correct? i am about to get icon stage 3 lift installed however do have this odd vibration at 50+ thinking its bad balancing wonder if its related to this too. man, more work to fix

 

Put it into 4-hi when you are feeling the vibration . If the vibe goes away you need the bushing. If not, then it's something else.

 

i have vibration at around 67 mph, not sure i want to engage my 4hi during that speed, or is it visible at lower speeds like 45 +?

 

I'm getting this done within the next week.

 

If still stock (no aftermarket bushing) how much "wiggle" should you have when you grab the drivers side diff? I assume some level of wiggle is normal?

 

Compare it to the passengers side which also has a bushing. The passenger side it quite tight compared to the driver side on my truck.

 

Subscribed. I am lifting mine tomorrow so this is great info to keep in the back of my mind.

 

Parts ordered. Sh!t canning the diff drop.

Thanks to all who contributed to this thread...Is it weird that I am more excited to do this than my lift?

 

This issue with the needle bearings is holding me back from purchasing a lift. I know the bushing are the way to go but, will a diff drop help alleviate the issue? Been looking for more info on this route.TIA

 

From all I've read on TW, the consensus is that the diff drop will not help with the needle bearing noise/vibration.

 

Just did the ecgs bushing vibes are gone! And I'm on a 4 inch lift. It's great!