The Lair

Super let down. They have some ok deals on camping gear and power tools from what I was able to see for like 10 mins.

 

As long as I'm not asked to work OT this weekend, I'll likely be tackling...

Remove old CVs and replace 2 new CV axles
Replace existing thing with ECGS bushing
Remove old LCAs and replace with newly rebuilt units
Cam tab gussets
New alignment hardware

Anyone have tips, tricks, or pointers? Doesn't seem bad, just messy and time consuming.

 

At the first sign of resistance start cutting. Don't fool yourself into thinking you can get your lcas off the normal way.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/trailer-harness-relocate-bracket.282311/

 

I have heard the red diablo sawzall blades are lifesavers if you have to cut the LCA's out.

I still need to fix mine and just plan on cutting them out with /\ blades.

Norris has an ever growing list of maintenance/repairs that need to be done.

Also, just replace the seal on the diff. Mine was fine for a while, but has started leaking about 20k after doing the ECGS bushing. Should have just done it to begin with.

 

Removing CV's isn't bad if you haven't done it before. I used a prybar to pop them out. There's a C clip that holds it in, so if you can't get it out, rotate it a little bit and try again. You want the opening of the C facing down.

ECGS bushing removal tool is pretty much a must. Shove a grocery bag or some saran wrap into the diff so you don't drop the removal tool into the diff. Also put your new bushing in the freezer for an hour to help with install.

To remove the stock cam tabs, use an air hammer. No need to drill out spot welds. Even the $8 harbor freight one worked awesome on mine.

 

So I can just attack the sides of those tabs with an air hammer with a chisel tip?

 

Yeah. On the rearward tabs there are little spot welds that I cut with a cutting wheel first, which gave the chisel tip something to grab. Took about 15 min to have all my stock tabs removed and sanded, ready for weld.

 

Now my shopping cart is empty... way to go Amazon...

 

I'm thinking my LCAs will basically fall out. The current bushings were fried when Firestone decided to bolster with weld my already bent cam tabs. The bushings haven't been the same since. There's a whole lotta clunking going on down there, which makes me think they'll drop right out.

I'd also like to rebuilt these LCAs and sell them on here. Or offer up in a trade. Or something..

I opted to get the seal when I purchased the bushing. I don't enjoy doing things twice.

Thanks for this. Was thinking of using a homemade cable type puller on the CVs. If I can pry, then that may be easier. I have never dug around in these parts of my truck before.

I'm borrowing a bushing removal tool and I THINK he also has the install tool. What ever happened with your front diff leaking?

Pretty sharp cold chisel and a hammer should be enough eh? I dont think the garage where I'm doing the work has an air hammer. Maybe I should buy one and gift it to my buddy for letting me use his garage lol. Welding new cam tabs... is there any particulars for placement or is it all self explanatory?

 

You can rent the install tool from any auto parts store. It's just the bearing race and seal driver set. You just tap the bushing into place. I forget the exact depth, but their install video mentions. I fixed the leaky diff. Only reason it was leaking is I kept driving the seals in too far. What I finally did was drive it in too shallow by a hair, and when I installed the CV, that pushed it in that last little bit to the perfect depth.

It probably would, but then you'd want to drill out the spot welds. It's like 3 per tab, so 24 total. Will just take more time. Here's the air hammer I have. You'll need some air tool oil as well As far as welding them on, you just want to line it up the best you can. There's an oval on the truck and an oval on the cam tab. get it all lined up and use the bolt to hold it in place. Tack it, then take the time to put the LCA and bolts in to make sure it all lines up before burning it in .

 

@EatSleepTacos
Hey Randy, what dash cam are you using? I know you posted that a while back, but it doesn't show on the bottom of thread anymore. Thanks

 

This bad boy. I still love it. Just update the firmware when you get it.

Spytec A119 Version 2 Car dashcam 1440p@30 FPS, 1080P@60 FPS Dashboard Video Recorder w/ Night Vision G-Sensor Loop Recording

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMZVYLY

 

Thanks

 

I ordered some bolts on Amazon and I think I crashed the website.

 

It's having mad issues because prime day kicked off a few hours ago.

 

I can't even log in anymore

 

@ADV4R heres that video of you going down that sketchy hill. Of course it doesn’t look like shit on camera but I thought I’d share.

https://youtu.be/YKE6AQx-zU8

 

I wish I would have issues like that, maybe that would prevent me from buying stuff

 

Was about to say. Nothing in cart was on sale. But i need the stuff. So i buy.

Edit: never mind. Cant even checkout/give them my $$