Is the ECGS bearing still an issue on '19 Tacomas with 2" or less lift?

I had a '17 Tacoma Off Road and lifted it with a 1"(yielded 2" of lift) spacer on top of the coil spring and I immediately noticed the vibration/buzz due the ECGS bearing issue. Now I have a '19 TRD Off Road and thinking going with the 1/2" spacer from Headstrong(yields 1" lift) on the front. Will I get that same vibration or did Toyota finally remedy this?

 

Ome lift on my 18 with no issues

 

Why is it that the spacer lifts are all that affect the ECGS bushing?

 

If you do the work yourself just do it later if it becomes a problem.

 

Have you spoken with Marie at Headstrong about lifts? She’s really knowledgeable about them and can help you out regarding your questions about this.

 

The lift install is not issue for me. Not sure what's involved with the bushing...

 

When I lifted my '17 I talked with her. Was just hoping that simply a 1/2"spacer giving just 1" of lift would not cause the ECGS issue I had with the lift I put on my '17. I'm thinking that the 1" front lift together with a set of Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws in 265/75-16 will give it a real nice stance...

 

I bought 5100’s and a single Dakar AAL from them to lift my ‘17 about 1.75”. No issues with it even after 25k miles.

That ECGS issue seems to appear randomly to trucks with smaller lifts less than 2 inches.

 

Spacer lifts or coil lifts will cause this issue on some trucks. It has to do with CV angles. The drivers side has a single needle bearing that both supports and aligns the drivers-side inboard CV joint. With stock CV angles (dead flat), the thrust on this bearing is directly in line with rotation. As CV angles increase, the thrust on this bearing becomes oblique and it may start to vibrate due to resonance with the CV joint. The bushing effectively eliminates the needle bearing and tightens up the whole assembly so vibrations are less like to develop. The passenger side has a short axle-shaft supported by more than one bearing, so there is no issue there.

Toyota uses this system due to very limited space between the drivers side CV and the differential itself. It is not an issue on stock trucks so they have never bothered to address it.

I have a 2017 lifted 1.5” on 5100s and have no vibes and did not do the ECGS bushing.

 

Finally I understand what it does and why there 'can' be an issue in certain circumstances. Best explanation yet. Thank you...!

 

You are welcome. It would be better if Toyota went away from the needle bearing, but they’ve used the same style of diff housing since the 2nd Gen Tacos, or maybe even before that, so they don’t seem to feel it’s a problem. My buddy with a 2G Taco had the vibes and it would for sure drive you nuts. I got to drive his truck with the issue happening and I understand why guys want that gone. He was lifted about 4 inches on 35’s.

 

With my '17 I would get this pulse every few seconds of vibration or buzz you'd feel in the steering wheel and the gas pedal. It was slight but definitely there. And yes...drove me nuts!

 

Yeah.....that’s exactly what I felt. I am so glad I didn’t get that on my truck. I might want to lift a little higher still so

 

I'm lifted on 5100s and did it, because if it was going to happen it would happen to me. It was worth the money.

 

Have a 17 SR 4cyl 5speed 4x4 and it's stock and had to replace with the bushing. Just luck of the draw.

 

So why does the Pro does not have this issue if it is lifted? How much is it? 1 inch? So I would think that 1inch lift would be safe because of pros being lifted.. but I do not get it... all pros should have issues with needle bearing and I haven’t heard about it...

 

If you can install suspension components you can do the ECGS bushing job. ECGS sells a needle bearing removal tool. You’ll also need a large socket for the axle nut (35mm or 36mm maybe). A hub puller isn’t critical but makes the job a lot easier.

 

I assumed on both my 2nd (2 inch lift 5100s ) and 3rd gen (2 inch lift fox ) that I wouldn't need it. I was wrong both times. don't skimp out on it . eventually the needle bearings will wear prematurely, just get it done.

 

I recently (past two weeks) replaced the front shocks on my 2015 Sport 4x4 with Toytec Boss shocks and the 600 pound springs. It rides really great though it is stock height at the moment.

The installers did not follow my directions and raise it 1” to level it.

If I raise it the 1” I want, will it introduce the issue you describe?

 

+1. It’s an easier job with the coil over out of the truck. Next time I lift a Toyota I’m doing the ECGS bushing at the same time the front suspension goes in. The time savings would be greater than the cost of the part.

(I’ve been 50/50 on lifting FJ cruisers. One was fine without it. The other needed the bushing.)