ECGS Bushing - Is it a must?

Does a diff drop help prevent the bearing failure?

 

I had a shop replace mine last summer $150.00
I'm at stock height and I was getting vibes.
My plans are to do lift in spring.
I want to identify any problems and fix now so they can't be blamed on the lift.
It also spreads out the total cost of everything

 

Hmm good to know, that's why I poked my head in here. Guess I'll do some research but I'm afraid it'll be like WebMD and just freak me out for no reason.

 

Pretty much the same thing lol. Only replace if you’re having symptoms otherwise ride it and do it down the road as preventative maintenance.

 

I think it does. It sets the differential in the stock position.

 

I had about 4k miles, Bilsteins 5100 went on and I had the shop do mine. I had a new seal just to be on the safe side. $60 part, seal was like $20 bucks. I got it for like $200 on labor plus the part,seal and oil. Definitely not a 30 min job. I did it because of what I have heard, knowing I was going with a minor lift. If it was going to happen, It would happen to me. Glad I had it done since they were in there doing the lift.

 

Anybody know a good shop in the la/oc area that can do the install for me?

 

I didn’t want to necro this thread but after several searches I can’t find an answer. This may be a really dumb question but do the vibrational issues also effect the 2WD only Tacomas, or only the 4x4 models? I’m about to lift my SR and am wondering if I need to order this ECGS. I had a shop tell me it wasn’t necessary on a 2WD only model.

 

They are correct that it's only needed for 4x4 trucks. The ECGS bushing goes in the front differential, and you don't have one. One less thing to worry about!

 

Lifted my truck about 3" in front and almost 4" in rear. did the lift about 5000 miles ago, bought the bearing and UCA's, but just haven't installed them yet. NO issues that I can tell so far. No vibrations that I can tell. Someday I will get around to it and install everything.

 

Oh come on...

That’s like...drive with window down, swarm of bees gets into truck, you lose control, crash, death...

 

Good one! Approved message.

 

Just change it, it is cheap insurance.

 

It’s easy if you follow the YouTube directions, get all the tools and put a plastic bag in the diff so the tool doesn’t fall in. Or you’ll have to fish it out like I did.

It “should” be a 1-2hr job at most and no more difficult than changing suspension.

 

Anyone have an ECGS tool for sale/loan? I'd love to do mine, I've seen others trade tools back and forth on here.

 

I had a member help me with my 2G and we didn't do the plastic bag trick and I was on pins and needles (ha!) setting the tool. I don't have nearly the calm enough hands to make it work. On my 3G I saw the plastic bag trick and it made all the difference in the world.

I'd say it took my friend and I maybe an hour to an hour and a half in our first time doing it together. We are reasonably mechanically inclined and had all the necessary tools. With my 2G we did the full lift and I had the vibration and it was a kick in the teeth to need to tear it apart again. With my 3G I just did it with the lift so I didn't have to worry about it.

That being said, I didn't set the oil seal correctly on my 2G which meant it leaked everywhere and I had the dealer rip it apart and repair it. With my 3G having 15,000 miles on it I took a gamble and didn't touch the seal and had zero issues.

 

Yea, looks like I have the vibration after my 3” lift install. Has anybody inquired about the passenger side? I’m assuming there is a bearing on the right side as well isn’t there?

 

I have over 38K miles on the original bearing with a 3" lift. Not worried about it.

 

The only binding issue is the driver side. I have never heard of any problem/fix for the passenger side.

 

The passenger side is different. There’s not a needle bearing on that side for whatever reason.