ECGS needle bearing puller mod

I don’t recall seeing this before so I thought I’d post it.

I couldn’t seem to get the puller head behind the bearing on my particular diff. There just didn’t seem to be enough clearance to get it into position. After making this simple modification to the tool, it dropped right into place.

Sorry, the pics aren’t great but you get the idea. I basically put a 3/16” round over on the back of the puller head to allow clearance of the side gear. Obviously this is not done to the side that contacts the bearing.

Hope it’s helpful.

 

Hi, I seem to be having the same issue. Has anyone found a different solution for this issue, as I am borrowing the tool from a friend and don't want to cut it up if I don't have to.

Thanks

 

Some other guy did the same thing as OP. Just to make it easier to get in

 

I had the same Issue on my 2015. Called ECGS. They said that they (Toyota) made the needle bearding a little bigger in 2015 to try and improve the problems. ECGS told me to do exactly what you have done to the tool. It worked a charm ..

 

I think this will have to be the answer. I reached out to my buddy to see if I can adjust the tool like this. Thanks for the help.

 

Just did this on my ‘17. Could not get the puller in without possibly damaging the needle bearing. Ground off the back of the puller and it slipped right in.

 

I had a hell of time trying to get mines out a few days ago although I did try to make my own tool but didn’t quite work, so I went to borrow some tools at Auto Zone I got a slide hammer along with this attachment (pilot bearing puller) it’s asjustable for different diameters, it worked like a charm pulled it right out.

 

It is not necessary to grind the tool down. All I did was to stuff some cling wrap in the diff to prevent the loose piece from falling into the bottom of the diff. You remove the small end of the tool and push it thru the bearing all the way behind the bearing. Then with a telescoping magnet you line the piece straight so you can thread the bolt into it. Once the bolt is in place your ready to start pulling the bearing out. Simple with no tool grinding. Don't forget to pull out the cling wrap afterwards.

 

Yes, in concept that is how it is supposed to work, and that is what I tried to do for almost an hour. However I think on some trucks the space behind the bearing may be slimmer than on others, preventing the piece from falling into place. I will try the grinding method, hopefully this coming weekend, and report back.

 

On some of them I think it is needed. I tried like hell to get mine in, and it wouldn't go. Even took time to watch video again to make sure I wasn't missing some technique. It just didn't want to go. And I didn't want to risk tapping it in for fear of breaking off a piece of the bearing race and losing it (and yes, I had the plastic stuffed in there just in case) or somehow irretrievably wedging the tool in there. Less than a minute on the grinder, and the pulling piece snicked right into place with zero hassle. I think the fit is just a little tighter on some than on others. This is an easy, no downside tip to take the hassle out of the job.





That tool has now pulled out 3 ECGS bushings, and went in nice and easy for everyone.

 

Definitely not enough room to get it in there on some trucks. I thought mine was more of a minority but it looks like there are a lot more out there with not enough room. Unfortunately by the time I got to this part of the process it was late and I wasnt thinking rationally enough to just grind it down. So after an hour of fighting with it I just got frustrated and hit it with a hammer and broke a piece of the bearing off which I think is still floating around in my diff 12,000 miles later, thankfully it hasn't caused a problem yet...