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Needle Bearing - Yes, Replace It (ECGS)

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by irritable_vowels, Apr 9, 2021.

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  1. Apr 9, 2021 at 9:16 AM
    #1
    irritable_vowels

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    irritable_vowels [OP] Member

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    Seen back and forth on this issue, including some reputable posters from shops who have stated the needle bearing replacement is not necessary. Your experience may vary, but I wanted to put this up to add to the debate.

    ~3" lift on my 17 Limited with JBA UCAs, Bilstein 5100s, Dobinson C59-352s plus Taco lean spacer on the front. Had the often-described rubbing sound start from the front driver's side. Interestingly, it was rhythmic, but not rapid (was maybe 1 rub a second at 60mph). Read these forums and had enough concern to spring for the ECGS replacement. Popped everything off and here's the stock bearing... speaks for itself.

    IMG_2196.jpg
     
    irritable_vowels, Apr 9, 2021
    #1
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  2. Apr 9, 2021 at 9:20 AM
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    Ubercod

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    Ubercod Satellite Pilot

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    dang, I was wondering if it was worth the effort when i do suspension in the future.
     
    Ubercod, Apr 9, 2021
    #2
    irritable_vowels[OP] likes this.
  3. Apr 9, 2021 at 9:23 AM
    #3
    irritable_vowels

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    irritable_vowels [OP] Member

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    Exactly why I wanted to put it up. Not the most thrilling mod but seems like it's got to be part of the package
     
    irritable_vowels, Apr 9, 2021
    #3
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  4. Apr 9, 2021 at 9:28 AM
    #4
    You Suck I Suck More

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    You Suck I Suck More Well-Known Member

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    The real question is why not do it? It's a relatively cheap upgrade that will do wonders for the longevity of your truck. Just do it
     
    You Suck I Suck More, Apr 9, 2021
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  5. Apr 9, 2021 at 9:33 AM
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    a2lowvw

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    a2lowvw Well-Known Member

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    Stuff and things
    I did mine the other night. Owned the truck for 4 months and regret not doing it sooner.
     
    a2lowvw, Apr 9, 2021
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  6. Apr 9, 2021 at 9:36 AM
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    06trdtaco

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    06trdtaco shouldn't be trusted

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    No...the real question is: WHY DOES TOYOTA KEEP USING THIS P.O.S. PART?

    ...sorry about the yelling ;)
     
    06trdtaco, Apr 9, 2021
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  7. Apr 9, 2021 at 9:37 AM
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    KVTaco

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    KVTaco Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the post and picture. Can someone link the "How To" please?
     
    KVTaco, Apr 9, 2021
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  8. Apr 9, 2021 at 9:44 AM
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    ryanvar42

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    ryanvar42 Well-Known Member

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    I have a stock truck I am fine
     
    ryanvar42, Apr 9, 2021
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  9. Apr 9, 2021 at 9:45 AM
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    JimboAnz

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    JimboAnz #OldNorm

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    JimboAnz, Apr 9, 2021
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  10. Apr 9, 2021 at 9:45 AM
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    ryanvar42

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    ryanvar42 Well-Known Member

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    because it doesn't typically fail on stock trucks and they don't make the truck so people can modify it
     
    ryanvar42, Apr 9, 2021
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  11. Apr 9, 2021 at 9:49 AM
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    Mad German

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    Mad German Well-Known Member

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    Because Toyota is cheap. And they know they'll sell every single Tacoma they make, regardless of the shortcomings it has. Tacoma fans are some of the most loyal and will buy damn near anything Toyota sells as a Tacoma.
     
    Mad German, Apr 9, 2021
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  12. Apr 9, 2021 at 9:49 AM
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    You Suck I Suck More

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    You Suck I Suck More Well-Known Member

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    YOU'RE RIGHT! I AGREE! THIS TRULY IS THE QUESTION THAT NEEDS TO BE ANSWERED!
     
    You Suck I Suck More, Apr 9, 2021
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  13. Apr 9, 2021 at 9:54 AM
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    Tacorific

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    Tacorific Well-Known Member

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    Should I replace my bearing if I don't have a lift and I'm pretty easy on my truck? If so, when should I plan on replacing my bearing? Will there be any collateral damage if I wait until it starts making noise? I'm at 13K now.
     
    Tacorific, Apr 9, 2021
    #13
  14. Apr 9, 2021 at 9:56 AM
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    Superdave1.0

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    Superdave1.0 Grandma Dave

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    You sure you didn't break that upon removal? Looks like you didn't shave down the removal tool and forced it into position.
     
    Superdave1.0, Apr 9, 2021
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  15. Apr 9, 2021 at 9:57 AM
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    scflyntaco

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    scflyntaco Well-Known Member

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    Does anyone have the removal tool I can borrow?
     
    scflyntaco, Apr 9, 2021
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  16. Apr 9, 2021 at 9:59 AM
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    amansker

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    amansker Ramen!

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    I see ECGS also offers an axle seal to go with the bushing. Should I buy one of those too?
     
    amansker, Apr 9, 2021
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  17. Apr 9, 2021 at 10:00 AM
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    JimboAnz

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    JimboAnz #OldNorm

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    might as well, its cheap, and better to have it and not need it.....you know the rest......
     
    JimboAnz, Apr 9, 2021
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  18. Apr 9, 2021 at 10:05 AM
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    JimboAnz

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    JimboAnz #OldNorm

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    Last edited: Apr 9, 2021
    JimboAnz, Apr 9, 2021
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  19. Apr 9, 2021 at 10:23 AM
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    06trdtaco

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    06trdtaco shouldn't be trusted

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    Failed on my '17 T4R before it was lifted.

    Did not fail on my '06 or '14 Tacoma. Neither of those were ever lifted.

    So based on my independent research the needle bearing fails 1/3 of the time...whether lifted or not :eek::D;)
     
    06trdtaco, Apr 9, 2021
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  20. Apr 9, 2021 at 10:31 AM
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    JTFisherman

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    5D38E064-31C8-4BB6-9388-BB96F68B21F7.jpg
     
    JTFisherman, Apr 9, 2021
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