OFFICIAL 2nd gen 4x4 front differential bearing vibration thread

Thanks for the update.....def nice to see such a high mileage report on how this ECGS bushing holds up. I just grabbed a puller tool so when/if the growl comes I'll be ready to just buy the bushing and seal.

 

I wondered about the black paint as well but installed it like it came. However, I did question them about the center part of the axle (green). Mine was 3/16" narrower in diameter than the OE.

 

hit it with brake cleaner it will come right off

 

Thanks for the update qnyla. Every time I see you post my attention is draw to the mileage on your truck and I keep wondering how you have managed to stack up that many miles, even in NM.

 

Very helpful, great photos !

alpinebob

 

I thought I was starting to have this issue but I tried changing my oil first to see if that did anything. So far it seems all I needed was some new oil to cure my vibrations. We'll see how long it lasts.

 

I have one if you still need it, just pay the shipping

 

History of Problem
2013 dbl cab Tacoma bought new Oct 2012
Reported driveline vibration at 5000 miles. Dealer installed new rear engine mount under TSB. not fixed. Installed new leaf springs at 7000 miles under tsb modest improvement. Installed 5100 billys with rear add a leaf at 12,000 miles. no problems. Noticed front vibration at 15,000 miles. took to dealer- dealer declines. Problem is due to your lift. Found this thread in Nov 2013. Vibration is getting progressively worse as temp drops. getting afraid to drive it as it sounds like rumble strips until it warms up.
The install
Bought ECGS bushing, and seal. Arrived in 3 days. Made my own puller using the threaded steel plate from a truck bed stake pocket expansion anchor and grinder. Read/watched as many installs as I could. determined you don't have to completely remove brake or spindle. Started install. Should have had a bigger bfh to get the steering rod off, then the axle out of the spindle- took quite a beating with my rubber mallet to get them loose. videos make it look like these just easily slide apart. I spent the most time getting the axle out- 1st tried prying- no luck, then the cable choker with swing hammer with 5 lbs, then 10, then 15 and finally 20 (using my home dumbells) and broke the choker. went back to prying and was about to give up when it suddenly popped off with hardly any effort. my home made puller worked great once I tapered the ends to fit in the narrow gap. Finally had to use about an 18 inch piece of steel pipe to extend the race driver out so I could get a good swing at it to drive the bushing- thought I would never get it flush- maybe because the garage was about 20 degrees and made the tolerances tighter. Crossed my fingers after double and triple checking everything and went for a test drive . Drove 0 to 80 mph in 2wd held my breath as it passed through 35 to 45 mph.. so far NO VIBRATIONS OR LEAKS!!!! Good in 4wd too. Have 50 miles total. Will update periodically. Sorry no pictures. CV looked good and oil looked good (no metal on plug) so reused CV and original seal (it looked good too). Used

$29 75w 90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w 90 synthetic gear oil. Tools borrowed from local parts store- 35 mm axle socket 200 ft lbs torque wrench and race driver kit. Total install time 8 hrs. 3 hrs trying to get axle out. 1 hr figuring out how to drive bushing in. Could do it under 4 now if damn axle would pop out on first try.

 

^^ Fishtaco13 Good to hear your vibrations are gone.

Wow, 3 hrs to get the axle out! what a bummer. I wonder why the cable choker did not work? Glad I had good luck with it using a sledge. Came loose on the first swing.

 

you are the man

 

I got worried when found this thread, following you guys, still have not lifted. Live in Va, do not need lift for mud and do not want to risk this or basically anything else based on changing geometry
I wanted lift for looks mostly bigger tires, so if I just get leveling kit, go up twice on tires, would be happy, so question is:
Do you think leveling kit potentially exposes me to these problems, thanks

 

Mine! Thanks a lot Kevin! Will pass it along when done!

 

I would like to build a puller (copy) the EGCS , and would like to know the dimensions of the threaded plate that slips in behind the needle bearing.
Looks like the rig can be built easily out of "garage junk".

Thanks, Merry Christmas and Happy holidays to all,

alpinebob

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

If you change the angle of your front axles you may have a problem down the road. There's a lot of people on here that have lifts and had no problems. Some have not had a lift and experience the problem.

 

Order the bushing and use it as a guide

 

So the dealer looked at our truck today. Tech drives it, feels the vibe, calls Toyota Motor Co, first question, is it lifted, tech says yes, Toyota says "Repair is removal of lift kit" Wow, big surprise. So this was not the selling/ lift kit installing dealer and thier out of the picture now. Next step is to go to selling dealer and get them to fix it on thier good will dime since they convinced us this was THE KIT to lift this truck with. Cant wait!

 

Thanks, Nick.

Why didn't I think of that !!!

bob

 

Just read that idea yesterday then used it to help you haha

 

nj636, if you still have the puller, I am interested.

rlf494@gmail.com