Who replaced their needle bearing with clamshell bushing

You’re talking to the guy who changed his needle bearing because his wheel bearing was bad. This guy doesn’t think that far ahead.

 

Haha! I usually work by myself and get creative sometimes. In 2WD applications where I've needed the wheels to not turn, I've jammed a dowell/hammer/ice scraper into the brake pedal with the front seat slid forward*


*safety third. Not recommended!

 

cool a thread i started. got my ecgs bushing installed, problem solved. Thanks all and stay safe

 

Same. Just makes sense to install the lift & this at the same time.

Order the seal when you buy the bushing. You want both

 

yes seal was replaced thanks!

 

+ another 1 on ordering and installing the seal! Some say you can reuse it but I'm pretty sure I nicked mine and then installed a new one just in case. Would hate to have to go that far again for a weeping $15 seal

 

What parts do I need to buy...I saw a $60part and a $350 kit???..what is what?...what parts do I need....edit..I get paid per .dot..... .... ... .

 

Google "ecgs tacomaworld"

 

You need the following.

1. Removal tool (Your own or purchased)
2. Bushing.
3. Install tool (Your own or purchased)
4. Differential fluid
5. Differential crush washers
6.Axle seal (Optional- but highlights recommend)
7. Axle nut cotter pin - Depending on how you choose to do the install

 

Just did mine drives like a new truck. Fellow T.W. member let me borrow the tools. Thanks again

 

Can you guys help me understand the concept of this replacement? Does this bushing have a flat surface on the ID as opposed to the geared or ribbed of the OEM needle bearing? Isnt that what the geared end of the CV axel grips and allow the 4WD to apply torque to the axle/wheel?

 

Its a two piece bushing sleeve right behind the driver's side axle shaft oil seal that the axle slides through and supports the shaft of the axle, the splines on the end of the axle are what engage within the differential and are not affected by this at all. The needle bearing is a little bit on the fragile side, and does not take the possible side load pressure a lifted Toyota might exert very well. Some people have never had a problem with the needle bearing, but its a weak link. If you aren't lifted, its less likely to ever be an issue.

 

I replaced mine as preventative maintenance when I did the wheel bearing and I don't have a lifted truck. The OEM needle bearing, I'm sure has far less than 50% contact with the CV surface because there is a divider between each roller needle. The ECGS bushing surface is smooth so the contact patch with the CV surface is more like 100%. I think it's worth the extra time to replace it if you need to replace the wheel bearing or CV axle.

 

the needle bearing is a bearing
Needle bearings are weak
You replace it with a better bearing
The CV spins on a bearing

 

It works just as you said. Excepted the "geared" end rides in the spider gear, not the bushing.
The smooth section of the CV rides in the bushing.

The link below will tell (show) you all you need to know.

 

Thanks guys for clearing that up. It makes sense now. Will the OD be different (inconsistent) between CV axels? Like Toyota's vs. Dorman/CarQuest/Napa CV's?

 

people say OEM CV is better than aftermarket.
aftermarket in theory is supposed to be designed to copy OEM dimensions.

people carrying a cheap aftermarket CV for an emergency trail repair driving a lifted truck with ECGS bushing is common.

 

Me.
Got 30K on the ECG bushing now, no problems.

Good luck with your truck.

 

The most common failure with aftermarket CV axles are the boots.
That said, 90% of the failures I’ve seen were on lifted trucks.

I would recommend the NAPA HD axle of you go aftermarket. CJV is good too. But You have shipping and core on those.

 

What I've been doing is getting a set of NAPA Extreme Weather axles that have a lifetime warranty, including simple tears on the boots. They last about 2 years. Every other year one side goes out, and every other year of that the other side goes out. So every year, I change out an axle under warranty for free and my local NAPA just swaps it out and gives me a new one. Chinese rubber gets crusty quick. It doesn't compare to the 100k+ miles I put on the OEM Toyota ones. But that warranty is nice and I learn a little about the truck, too. Gives me a chance to grease all the zerk fittings and maintain the front end on a yearly basis.