Tales of the ECGS Bushing

So, about two months after I lifted my truck I started to feel weird rotational vibes from the driver's side wheel. From reading this forum I assumed and was ready for the fact that the needle bearing may need replacing. So I took it to the dealership to ask what they could do, they ran "diagnostics" and told me that it was not the bearing it was just my a/t tires(charged me 100$). I then took it to an outside mechanic who also told me that I was wrong and what I was hearing was my a/t tires or balancing problems(charged me 60$). Finally, I got fed up and decided to handle it myself. Spent thanksgiving morning taking the cv axle off and installing the ecgs clamshell bushing. I was surprised to see that the needle bearing had absolutely no signs of wear, but I proceeded to install the new ecgs anyway. That night I drove two hours back to my house and it was smooth as butter, with zero vibrations.

TLDR: Mechanics drive me nuts

 

First let me say that I'm not trying to defend all mechanics - many are good, many are inexperienced, and a few really suck.

But I would suggest that we consider one simple fact - we as the driver of a vehicle have been living with, and focused on, what we feel is a possible problem. We describe what is occurring to a service tech (order writer) who writes it on the work order. Do we carefully review how the problem is described? Does it match what we have experienced? Then it gets handed off to a (often) young mechanic who tries to interpret what was written. He/she now has a very limited time to drive the vehicle and come up with a diagnosis after checking a few things. This person does not have the benefit of many hours/days of driving under various conditions.

Maybe it's a clear cut problem, maybe not. Maybe the mechanic has never encountered the situation before. Sometimes (if we're lucky) it's handed off to an experienced mechanic who HAS encountered the problem. Yet no matter what, we expect an expert and correct diagnosis and solution after that encounter.

My policy - always get to know the the shop manager/lead mechanic and the service manager. Foster a serious and sincere relationship. Get them to drive the vehicle or ride with you so you can recreate the problem. It may not always result in an instant cure, but at least you're taken more seriously, and perhaps the mechanic gets allowed adequate time to find a resolution.

JMNTBH opinion.

 

I am thinking of installing the ECGS bushing as well but had some questions. If the needle bearing you removed showed no sign of wear, what was causing the vibration? What does the ECGS bushing do that removes this vibration?

 

I installed one on my 2011, drove it for 4 years with no problem at all before I traded it in on my 2020.

 

So understand that I am no mechanic but simply a fellow Tacoma owner and advid DYI ‘r. If anyone with better knowledge wants to jump in then by all means feel free. I believe that needle bearing has a small amount of play in it stock. When these trucks are lifted the cv axle is on a slight angle and that play allows unexpected pressure on one side of the needle bearing causing intermittent vibrations. As to why there was no wear on mine I do not know, I was surprised. However I can say without a doubt that since installation of the ecgs all of my vibrations have gone away.

 

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-8536125-toyota-8-clamshell-bushing-eliminates-needle-bearing.html

Watch the tech video. Shows why it makes a difference.

 

A simple ride along with switching between 4wd and 2wd would have shown it wasn't the tires.

 

I think I’m having similar problems. I’m not sure if they’re my tires because I’ve never driven on C load tires or even AT tires at that. I lifted the front 1.55” and the rear 1”. I also went up in tire size, 275/70R17

Something differently feels off on the freeway. I feel a small and inconsistent vibration through the steering wheel. It’s not very strong either. I lifted the truck and drove around with stock wheels for a few weeks and it felt normal and then just a few days I put on my tires and wheels and it feels off. It feels almost unstable as if the wind was so strong that it’s kind of pushing me around ever so slightly. Only happens on the freeway going like 60mph. My steering wheel is straight and I got an alignment after I installed the lift.

How strong are the vibrations when the bushing needs replacing? Does it happen while driving only or should it also happen while stopped? Sorry if they’re stupid questions, first 4x4 truck here. Anyone have an idea of what it could be?

 

If tires were to blame, why would the vibration go away the moment 4wd is engaged? Shouldve just done the bushing when lifting, when it is almost apart anyways. the only ones that dont vibrate after lift are drivers who dont notice shit like that. And there are people who dont.

Probably a good thing the dealer didnt believe it was the bearing, they wouldve replaced it with tsb bearing that's .00000000000000001 inches longer and said you're good. Then your be chasing down where the vibration could still be coming from and assuming not needle bearing

 

Every tacoma I've driven has highway vibration to some degree. This needle bearing is felt at lower speeds, 25-40mph. Can engage 4wd on a straight road and if vibe is gone, bearing is to blame. Can also zip tie the left front axle so it doesnt turn and go for a test drive in 2wd to prove if it is the bearing causing vibration.

 

Huh?

 

This was my left front axle at 7k miles. The needle bearing is not able to be made to such tight tolerances so there is play in the left front axle. As the axle wobbles around spinning, it wears the shiny spots. If it was making even contact, the wear would be even. The ecgs bushing is made to a tighter tolerance and better supports the axle and after installed reduced play from about .015 to about .002 in the axle. 55k miles and 5 years later still zero play.

The issue isnt really even the needle bearing, it's the fact that they are trying to make it do 2 jobs as there isnt room for a carrier bearing on that side to support the load of the axle. It's a design and space problem, fixed by replacing the bearing with something solid, in that case a sintered bronze bushing

 

Very few people outside this forum know about the bushing and why its needed, why would you expect a mechanic to be familiar with this anomaly?

TLDR: If you knew it was the bushing why did you bother with mechanics at all?

 

Huh what? Huh tacomas have vibration at highway speeds? You arent new here, I'm sure you know this.

Huh 4wd to diagnose left front bearing? This is because when in 4wd the axle is locked in that side and cannot move around like it can in 2wd

Or huh about zip tie the axle? This will stop the axle from doing the slow spin that causes the vibration. Theres a reason it's a slow vibration and not consistent with speed. Only do this in 2wd obviously and pay attention to how the axle is immobilized

 

Climb under your truck and see if the axle has movement or play on the end that goes into the diff

 

I'd like to see how you would zip tie the axle.

 

How are you going to zip tie an axle so it doesn’t move? Go make a video and post it I need to see this in action or at least take a pic or something

 

Didnt get pics of that part but I used 2 zip ties to pull down on the axle so it couldnt wobble and took it for a short drive when I suspected play there was the culprit. Keep in mind this was like december of 2015 and this was not well known issue in 3rd gen.

Kinda tough to explain but front axles usually have a carrier bearing, I used zip ties to make a temporary "carrier" to keep axle from moving around as it pleases

 

Huh, the zip tie trick. Just not sure how this will help you diagnose the bad bearing.

It's a lot easier just switching to 4x4.