CV Axle Seal ECGS Bushing

Hi Everyone,
I'm new to the forums and am going to be doing the ECGS Clamshell bushing on my truck this weekend as I unfortunately got the vibrations after lifting it. My truck has fairly low mileage at 80,000km or 49,000 miles and my question is, should I change out the CV axle seal along with doing the bushing? I've not had any problems with the seal at all and I'm hesitant to do it as it seems to be a difficult task to set it to the right depth as if its not it will leak and be a pain to deal with. Did most people change the seal out at the same time, or did they just call it a day with doing the bushing and leaving the factory seal?
Thanks
PS. Hopefully my terminology is correct and hopefully you can make out what I'm trying to get at.

 

Leave the seal it will be fine

 

I did mine at 17k miles and I changed out the seal. Did I need to? Probably not. Cheap insurance.....yep.

 

I recently changed my needle bearing with EGGS out as well with only 10k on the clock. I ordered the seal as well. As others have said about the seal, do you “need” it replaced probably not but it’s nice to have it all done while you have it tore apart. Plus, you’d be upset if you messed up the original seal during disassembly/reassemble and didn’t have one on hand to replace it. Just my 2 cents anyway. Good luck with the install. I actually had fun with mine minus get that damn cv axle out. Pretty straightforward install with the right tools. Take care.

 

Have a spare seal on hand just in case....they aren't but about $15.

I changed my bearing out with the ECGS bushing with about 3k miles on the truck as I recall. I did not replace the seal, but made damn sure the shaft did not drag across the seal on the way out, or on the way back in. Now with 22k miles, no leaks.

If I was doing it with 50k miles on the truck, I'd personally replace the seal. But as long as you're careful not to damage the seal, it's going to be fine. Supporting the shaft as you take it out and put it back in so it doesn't rub or pinch the seal is key. But if you don't have experience changing CV's, you likely run higher odds of an "oops". Best have a spare with you, lest you need it, don't have it, and waste half a day running around trying to get one.

I've done probably a half dozen of these (replacing CV axles), and the one time I did get a leak, I was surprised at the minimal amount of contact and pinch it took to ruin the seal and cause a leak. Super careful taking it out, and you drag across or pinch the seal, replace it.

Beware that use of the bearing puller and possibility of pinching the seal with that as well.

 

I installed my ecgs bushing at 30,000 miles. I did buy a replacement seal but decided not to use it since the original seal looked in great shape. I was very careful not to damage the original seal when pulling the original bearing. I went with the idea that original did not leak so I did not replace it. I have no leaks. However if you damage it then you must replace it.

 

Just replaced my needle bearing with the ECGS bushing last night. My truck only has 14,000 miles on it, but I went ahead and replaced the seal as well while I had it all apart. No leaks and the vibration from my recent lift is gone.

 

I did the same bought the seal just in case I nicked it during the bushing install. It was cheap insurance.

 

I replaced my bushing at 30k miles and bought the seal as well. I ended up not replacing the seal and will probably never have to. As long as I keep the seal in a drawer in my toolbox, the law of averages should protect me.

The second I get rid of it, though...

 

I cannot count how many times I have needed something I had stored for years, right after I threw it away.

 

Yep. I think it's borderline hoarding, but I look at as self insurance. It's like a Mayan sacrifice to the goods, only in goods form.

 

I replaced my oil seal when I did mine at 15K. I didn't want to take the chance of it leaking after I replaced the bushing. You shouldn't have any issue setting the seal if you have the right tools. You can pick up a bearing race/seal driver at HF for the price of a second seal.

 

Just installed the ecgs bushing and replaced the seal. Must have installed the seal wrong now it leaks. Any suggestions on setting the seal as far as how deep, 5.5 mm?

 

The seal should be flush, I barely got my seal installed and I let the CV push into where it wanted it. No leaks the second time around.

Skip to 9:30 for the seal installation
https://youtu.be/WJ4_7G12Esw

 

I had ordered the seal in the event that I would have to install it. If you don’t need it, now you have a spare one.

 

Thanks for the tip,worked perfect!