Front Diff Vibes ECGS bushing fix.

Just installed the ECGS bushing for the driver side front differential. Vibes are 100% gone. Was a pain to do, but to me, not worth paying someone to do it. Glad it's over! Makes a big difference, to drive and not feel/hear those vibrations anymore. Also took me 2 hours plus cleanup, but I do have a shop with a lift.

 

What vibes did you have? The rumblestrip vibes? or some other tacoma vibration

 

Many people get the vibes even without a lift. Just a poor design. The lift just makes it more noticeable. You will find that many just learn to live with it and don't have any problems other that the vibration. Mine would go away after about 30 miles. I think the metal just warmed up and expanded just enough. My commute to work is only 12min so it bugged me too much. So far the bushing is doing its job.

 

Thanks.

 

Ok that's it, I am buying a shop with a lift and a friend lol.

 

I had the rumble strip vibe that seemed like it would go in and out about one second intervals. Felt in the floor, steering wheel, and gas pedal. Most noticeable around 38 mph when coasting. It's really quiet again!

 

How bad is the vibe generally? Is it something you can hear over the radio or can hear over conversation in the truck? Or is it more subtle, something you notice since you drive your trucks daily and know them well and therefore notice steering wheel vibration, vibrations in gas pedal and floor board, but passengers unaware of the issue may never pick up on it?

 

Have you tried the 4wd test? If you put it in 4wd and the vibration goes away, it's the needle bearing. My vibrations were a pulsing vibe, felt it in the gas pedal and floor of the drivers side. I got it immediately after lifting, any passenger I had heard it as well.

 

Yes, it goes away in 4hi. Developed withing two weeks after 1" lift.

Mine is more on the subtle side, most passengers (apart from car guys) would most like not notice it, I definitely do notice knowing my truck and driving it daily. Was just curious how noticable/bad is it for other people. I'm assuming it goes worse with higher lift etc?

Just trying to understand and judge how bad is it on my truck and if I should deal with it or not.

 

Mine was just something that I noticed. I never mentioned it to anyone and no one ever mentioned it to me. Not to say that they didn't feel or hear it, but they probably didn't care, or thought it was normal (like what the dealership told me hahaha)

 

Got ya, think at that point it really depends how annoying it is for personal preference. When I removed my needle bearing, nothing was damaged so I could see getting away with not replacing. Mine was too noticeable to not deal with it.

 

Is anyone renting out their removal and install tools? Looking to do this but would rather pay a member a rental fee than have to buy the tools myself

 

Selling my removal tool for $30 (20+shipping)

 

Thanks for the offer, but I found someone local that has one that's willing to let me use his.

 

Is the axle seal ECGS sells with the bushing the OEM seal? Is that the one to use?

Also, the bushing is wider than the bearing, so it still needs to be pressed in fully, not sticking out at all?

 

Yes, it's the oem seal . Yes you should use oem.
Watch this video
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8P68OCu_ZeI

 

http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/files/PDF Files/toyota-clamshell-bushing-faq1.pdf

More info

 

After I read this. I'll chime in. Granted each persons reply will vary.

In march of 2015 I installed icon coilovers and kept the factory setting, did not "crank" them up.
Then I installed all pro expo leafs , extended b110 bilsteins and ss extended lines.
There was some vibration stock. In fact I've been driving tacomas for 25 years , couple first gens and now a couple 2nd gens.
The 98' had a vibe for sure, but tolerable. Never growled over 155k when sold.

This truck really soaks up then Arizona terrain, but the vibration was too much. The driver axl had clear play. but no growl.
My wife had trouble texting due to the vibration , in the passenger seat- which are notorious for shaking on Tacomas .
So for me the difference after installing last week was dramatic. What people are saying will vary but if you are going to drive your truck for even say , " a few more years" this is a no brainer.
I think some people are hesitant about lifting due to vibrations , but now that there are over 1400 bushings in these
vehicles ( per ecgs website), there really isn't an "excuse" not to lift. Other than financial. Lol.

Az

 

Do yourself a favor and rent or buy the bushing install tool. I know some use sockets. You can rent the tool from some auto parts stores for free.

 

since I'm about to order. Might be a noob question, I imagine you only need one given my understanding of how this is for one side of the diff correct? Or do I need to order two of the bearings?