ECGS bushing replacement and write up to follow

Write up! I am in no way responsible for any damages if you follow my write up.

Bushing
Removal tool
Replacement tool

Some helpful links that I gathered info from. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/east-coast-gear-supply-freakin-rocks.463495/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...e-replace-front-wheel-bearing-2nd-gen.189356/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BawuxQHhTGs

This is much easier on a lift.

First take off the wheel. Pretty self explanatory.

Then unbolt the two lower ball joint bolts. Seen here.



Then you can actually pull the CV axle out enough to take it out of the front differential. There's a c-clip that holds it in the differential. If it doesn't come out, push it back in, rotate 1/6 turn and try again. It shouldn't be extremely difficult to get out. Some others have used a slide hammer to pull it out. Seen here.



Next follow this video to remove and install the bushing.

Then grease the bushing, and reinstall the CV axle. It helps to have a buddy for this and to rotate the c-clip to where the open end is down. You should feel a slight click when it is fully in.

Then refill the front differential fluid and put your wheel back on. Enjoy no vibrations!

 

Good luck with the install and subbed for the write up! I'll probably be using this when I install mine.

 

Yes you can do this. Hell i dont even think you will need to remove the lower strut bolt, just undo the 2 big bolts that hold the lower ball joint to the spindle. then there is tons of room to swing everything around (keep an eye out on the ABS line, maybe undoo its bracket so it has some more slack)

Do NOT put in 4x4, you want to be able to spin the CV and with the truck in 4x4 and the other 3 tires on the ground that aint gonna happen.

And lastly, the CV will come out rather easy. BUT, you have to position it right. You have to get the inner C clip with the opening of the C facing down. Try to pry it out, if it does not want to come, PUSH IT BACK IN (to release any tension on the c clip), spin it 1/6th of a turn, tap on the inner cup so the C clip falls down to its lowest spot then try again. Repeat this process and there will be one spot where the CV almost just falls out.

 

Awesome, thank you for all the info. It'll be on a lift but I'll keep it in 2wd. Yea I was trying to do this with taking as little apart as possible so I'll try that and definitely loosen the bracket.

 

Thanks man! I'll make it as thorough as possible with plenty of pictures. Hopefully only about 3-4 bolts and I'll have it out.

 

I recently did the install and did not have to remove the lower strut bolt. Good luck!

 

Perfect. So just the two lower ball joint bolts and the abs bracket was all? Did you have to rotate to find "the sweet spot" of the c clip?

 

Two knuckle bolts and the tie rod end nut, but I didn't remove the ABS bracket. Definitely wouldn't hurt, though.

I wasn't aware that rotating the clip would make the CV come out easier. Luckily mine came out pretty quick with slight prying.

 

Sweet, thanks for the info! I'm just ready to get off work already to get into it and hopefully solve the vibration issue that Toyota claimed was at first a brake dust cover, and then a wave in my tires... On two different sets of tires.

 

NP. That first test drive without the rumble strip is awesome.

 

CAN'T WAIT!!! Hahaha

 

Also note. the ECGS bushing is LONGER than the stock bearing. DO NOT drive it past the surface of the carrier as it will make contact with the spider gear and thats no bueno.

instructions here

http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/attachment/37734-T8CS BUSH INSTALL.pdf

 

So the CV axle is here. How do I push it all the way in?

 

looks like its in all the way now. they go in super easy. just gotta be careful not to hurt the seal when pulling one or putting one in

 

Ok I am seeing some of you guys with 15s and I drive a 13 with a 6". I am just curious if you guys have any thing done suspension wise to your trucks? I'm just curious as to if this issue is all tacos or primarily seen inthe ones with suspension work done to them.
I will say I replaced the needle bearing twice on the driver side before I finally found out about ECGS. Since then have had no issues even with the 35s

 

I had 2.5" lift up front with an AAL and didn't hear/feel any issues. When I changed to a full 3" up front with Dakars in the rear the rumble strip started immediately. I only have 11k on my truck.

It may have been going on the whole time and was just exacerbated by the additional lift. Not sure.

 

150,000 on mine with 70,000 on the truck since i did a 3" lift and 35''s.. i haven't had issues with the needle bearing yet

 

Knock on wood. lol

 

To set the axle take a long screw driver and hammer, place the tip of screw driver on one of those little machined out flat spots and tap it in with the hammer.

 

So i figured id share my experience. I am not super mechanically inclined but I am very well read on the subject and watched a ton of youtube videos beforehand. I lifted my 2016 sport a few months ago and got the vibe. Toyota did not have an answer so they replaced the whole front diff which solved the problem for about 2k miles. I finally grew the balls to do it myself.


I used these youtube video as my guide


CV axle removal video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfpP4sy8qYw&t=226s

ECGS needle bearing removal and ECGS bushing install video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnA_R3gFf2s&t=200s

I rented most of the necessary tools from autozone loan a tool program (I can not overstate the importance of having the right tools and it doesn't cost anything to rent from autozone (100% refund with return of tools within 90 days))

heres a list of what i rented

35 mm socket
breaker bar
torque wrench
tie rod separator
bearing driver kit
263 dollars total shipped to my house for free and 100% refundable if you return the tools within 90 days which I did today

(The spring compressor was for something else and is not needed FYI)



Some other tools I had that were necessary
Pry bar
10 mm allan wrench on a socket driver
ball pien hammer
small sledge hammer
jack stands
jack
standard set of sockets up to 22mm

I bought the $60 needle bearing puller tool and in my opinion it is a must

I used the ECGS recommended gear oil afterwards which i ordered from Amazon (85W-140)

$14 Lucas Oil 10042 Heavy Duty High Performance SAE 85W-140 Gear Oil - 1 Quart

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IG20T0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Used this forum for a guide of torque specs for reassembling everything
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-torque-spec-guide.318116/

All in all it took me about 4 hours and keep in mind I've only driven about 20 miles since the install but my taco drives like a dream now. Quieter than the day I bought her. Hope this helps anyone with any doubt about doing it yourself. The two hardest parts were seating the removal tool behind the needle bearing and the other was pounding the new ECGS bushing in.