OFFICIAL 2nd gen 4x4 front differential bearing vibration thread

Anyone have a ECGS tool they are willing to rent, sell, or borrow?

 

As of now @Hillbilly Willy has an ecgs tool. You may want to pm him

 

Well, i ordered the bushing today. I have a very faint vibe around 30mph. I am just guessing that it is the needle bearing problem. It seems to be more pronounced when the truck is cold. It's hard to feel/hear when the truck is warm. Could it be anything else? What other tools will make this job easier? I have the bearing removal and installation tools.

 

Anyone have the removal tool and driver for sale? Or for borrow? Pm if you do, please!

 

Too lazy to find my follow dot

 

I will in a couple weeks......hopefully. ill keep you posted.

 

Can I get the tool next. If you do not mind.

Thanks

 

Special install tool?

 

Yes.
The "bolt" seen here is used to pull the oem needle bearing. You can use a variety of things for removal and installation but I feel more comfortable using something I'm confident of.

 

I have that removal tool, I just read somewhere up above about a installation tool. Didn't know if I was missing something?
I figured a socket on a 6" long extension and a hammer will work just fine for getting the bushing in place.

 

Yes, there are bearing/race drivers but you should be fine with the right size socket or piece of pipe.

 

I just received my ecgs bushing, removal tool and installation tool! Will be taking it to the shop that did my lift on Tuesday to have it done. I have been relocating through work quite a bit the last few years and don't have enough tools in inventory to diy it. Will let everyone know how it goes after the installation.

 

Hell, I wish I had someone I could trust to do it. I'm not looking foward to it!

 

You can borrow a bearing race / seal set tool from many auto parts store such as O'reillys. I tried a socket, lying on my back with an extension. Kept going in crooked. Ran to the auto parts store, borrowed the tool and it went in straight and fast. If you can borrow the tool for free, except for the drive, I recommend getting it.

 

How long did the job take you?

 

It took too long. Others have had much better luck. The cv either comes out easy or is a total pain Mine was the latter. Pry bar and patience. I then had a hard time getting the tool to set in the diff. Even using a punch as seen in the ECGS video. After quite a while of trying, it finally dropped in place. Surprised me when it did. It was kind of stupid how much time I spent trying before it dropped in. Bearing came out without drama. Wasted time trying to set the bushing with a socket and extension, got the correct tool from the auto parts store and was set. Right tools for the job makes a big difference on the whole job. I also pulled the seal and replaced just to be safe. Sort of a pain getting the seal out. Getting the cv back in was tough and I spent a fair amount of time trying, but after posting for help here, got it to go in by lining up the c-clip, pushing in, then tapping in using notches on the cv and a solid piece of steel rod. I also changed the diff oil. The whole job isn't too technical, but is a challenge if done without a lift. Lots of floor time!

I would drain the diff oil at the beginning if doing again. Use a ball joint puller to get the tie rod out of the spindle. It can be borrowed from the auto parts store like the bearing race driver. Take your time, be patient. Make sure the truck is safely on jack stands. There are some good videos on pulling the cv which are worth watching.

I am fairly mechanically inclined but this one tried to kick my butt. I could do it quicker if I did it again. I do think my experience is not typical.

 

Oh my, you sound just like myself! Its the jobs that SHOULD be easy always give me a fit!! Im not looking foward to it. Thanks for the tips. I do have the bearing /race tools but have never acquired a tie rod puller.

 

Just finished mine the other day as well, I didn't think it was too hard of a job. I coupled it w a few other drain and grease jobs under the ride so it took me the morning to do. If you do get the removal tool grind or file the back side of the bearing puller tool down and it will slip into the diff much easier, No pounding the tool into place at all. Pull the old axle seal before putting in the new bushing. Drive the bushing flush with the surrounding surface. Once the bushing is installed, install the axle seal making sure it's going straight in so you don't rip the new one upon installation, drive the seal flush with the housing. I cut misc rubber off the old seal and drove the new seal in using that as a buffer between it and the bearing race driver to prevent the driver from messing up the new seal as well. Just be careful when re-inserting the axle into the diff and make sure you don't mar up the bushing.

 

I'm more nervous about getting g the CV out and in than installing the bushing.

 

same here