Front Diff Vibes ECGS bushing fix.

Do you need their tool to remove that bearing or can you use a slide hammer?

 

Slide hammer will probably make a mess of things. Not enough meat for the hook to grab onto. I will say the tool is ridiculously overpriced. You can always sell it on here when your done using and get most of your money back.

 

Ahhh....interesting. I had them replace the fluid while they were at it so let's hope it flowed out with the old fluid.

 

Agreed. Also, I have one available to sell. Hardly used!

 

See! Twins! Mine broke towards the center of the diff too when the tool broke it. I hope yours didn't leave the shard inside the diff. I was lucky to fish mine out.

 

Agreed, its the tool that damages the bearing. My 2nd and 3rd gen were the same. Also had to fish out pieces. I used a small magnet and carefully felt around with my finger.

 

Mechanic never was able to find the broken piece. I wonder if draining the fluid will flush it out?

 

I just changed mine this morning finally, wow I didn't realize how bad it really was until after the test drive and what I was hearing/feeling is 100% gone now, so happy. When removing the OEM bushing it broke exactly like what has been posted here, luckily I saw what has been posted and looked for them immediately and got the two pieces with a magnet. I think ECGS should include that note in the install instructions so people are aware to look for them.

 

I'll definitely run this by the shop thats doing my lift, might be worth just having them do this while they do the lift.
And I'll make sure to mention the broken piece once removing.
Shop that's doing it does a lot of Toyota 4x4s so they'll probably know about it.

If you watch the video on their youtube page they mention putting a rag or something in the carrier to protect the spider gear and what not. Which probably would help make sure no piece falls in after removal

 

i stuffed my diff with a walmart plastic bag before removing the bearing. The shard broke off and stopped at the bag i stuffed in, and luckily i was able to fish it out.

 

@2016spicytaco

 

bearing broke installing tool in my 1st gen aswell. plastic bag saved me from having to flush the shard out.

 

vibes gone....here is an idea, why doesn't Toyota update their damn bushing as that seems to be an issue even on 2nd gens. Look inside the bushing...some of the pins/bearings broke creating vibes

 

just to post again. this needle bearing has been a known issue since 1995 on 1st 2nd and now 3rd gens. I seen no excuse as to why this hasnt been fixed either.

 

Although it can be present on stock, it's mostly only when lifted that the problem develops no?
I agree they should just upgrade it. But if it's not a significant issue on stock why would they change it?
Figure majority of the trucks made remain stock, so they likely don't see an issue with it, more so no one is likely aware of this issue unless they've ventured into modifications.

City of Toronto has a bunch of Tacoma in the fleet as does CAA (Canadian AAA), all left stock when considering lift. Doubt either of them are even aware of this needle bearing.

In everyone's mind on here sure it should be changed. As big as this site may be it's probably not even 15% of Toyotas whole market. Being so low I wonder if Toyota R&D even know about this problem, and if they do, likely know it's more of an issue for mods so what do they care?

Don't hold your breathe on it ever being addressed unless they start using a different diff

 

it becomes more present after lifting but it can definitely be a problem for people at stock height. I ran into problems with mine before lifting

 

Don't doubt that. But don't forget many aren't aware and would believe the dealer on something like this that is just a worn part. Not like the dealer will say it's their fault. Since they don't. Wouldn't count on it ever being changed

 

Anyone know of any shops that will do this install in the so cal area?

 

My father has had 3 different stock tacoma's none had the front vibe due to needle bearing. Both my 2nd and 3rd gen had vibes AFTER lifting only

 

I've got the needle bearing vibration and the truck is stock. It's on my little list of things for the dealer to attempt to address when I take it in at 20K. I guess I just got a little unlucky because it doesn't seem to be a common issue on stock vehicles (3rd Gen anyway).