East Coast Gear Supply diff bushing DIY install (step by step how-to)

[fzjeddie]

I know there are plenty of YouTube videoed on this, but here’s what to expect for the install of the ECGS diff carrier bushing on my 2024 SR5. If you aren’t familiar, all the 4wd Tacomas from second gen (something like that.. feel free to correct me) onward use an idler needle bearing to support the CV on the drivers side. When the truck isn’t in 4wd, the cv turns against this needle bearing and when the front is raised at all, to where the CVs are at any downward pitch, you will feel a vibration at street and highway speeds through the steering wheel due to the side loading on the not so tight tolerance between the shaft and bearing. Here’s the step by step of it.

Separate tie rod end.

Remove lower mounting bolts holding lower ball joint assembly to spindle.

Remove dust cap from hub.

Remove CV nut using 35mm socket, then separate CV from spindle

.

Prop or tie the spindle out of the way and be mindful of the brake lines/speed sensors wire.

Pry the cv out, be careful of the dust shields but these can be straightened if bent.

Despite the loud vibration, the shaft surface against the needle bearing is in great shape.

Insert paper towel or plastic bag into splines to prevent extracting tool from falling into diff.

Set slotted nut from extractor tool in behind needle bearing(I had to slightly bevel the edge to get it in easily.

After popping the oil seal out, thread in the all-thread and plate making sure the slotted nut is seated only against the needle bearing and pull it out. You will run out of length and need to put supportive backing between the plate and the diff to get it all the way out.

No damage found on my needle bearing thankfully despite the intensity of the vibration.

Using the driver, take your time lining up the bushing and pound it in. The driver will bottom out when it is flush.

The bushing should look like this when correctly seated.

Install new oil seal.

Line up splines and pound shaft back in until it’s all the way in!

Putting everything back together is just a reverse of the Teardown, but I like to add anti seize when appropriate. Be sure to either top off or replace the diff fluid before putting the wheel back on.

With the installation complete, the vibration has completely disappeared. I consider this supporting mod to be non negotiable with any height adjustments to the front of the truck no matter how slight.

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/c-1025774-toyota-clamshell-bushings.html?facet-categories=1025774

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[gofastdan]

Nice write up! Just to be clear, the website doesn't list a separate kit for the '24+ Tacoma. Did you use the kit designed for 2016 and newer Tacomas?

 

[Wife bought my 24 TRD]

Wow, thank you for an amazing ride u, and visuals.
? What are the ECGS bushing and how do they work in comparison to the stock needle?Bearings.
I have a king lift on my truck and im not experiencing any vibrations at the moment, but would like to avoid any in the future. Any help would be appreciated.
Nice looking truck

 

[Toyotimothy]

Just bought mine. I have a 2” spring lift and haven’t experienced any issues yet but I don’t want to either. Great write up and thank you for sharing. Do you know what type of diff fluid is recommended for the Tacomas and how much. This will be my first time doing a diff refill or change. Thanks again

 

[fzjeddie]

Nice write up! Just to be clear, the website doesn't list a separate kit for the '24+ Tacoma. Did you use the kit designed for 2016 and newer Tacomas?

Good question and you would be correct. The only difference from the third to fourth gen’s as it pertains to this job would be the oil seal. They sell the fourth gen seal but not a seal driver for it, but it goes in very easily.

 

[fzjeddie]

Just bought mine. I have a 2” spring lift and haven’t experienced any issues yet but I don’t want to either. Great write up and thank you for sharing. Do you know what type of diff fluid is recommended for the Tacomas and how much. This will be my first time doing a diff refill or change. Thanks again

Just bought mine. I have a 2” spring lift and haven’t experienced any issues yet but I don’t want to either. Great write up and thank you for sharing. Do you know what type of diff fluid is recommended for the Tacomas and how much. This will be my first time doing a diff refill or change. Thanks again

I’ve heard of some people not having immediate issues and others like me who had an instant vibration. I used 75/90 valvine gear oil to top it off.

 

[Toyotimothy]

Thanks I appreciate that

 

[fzjeddie]

Wow, thank you for an amazing ride u, and visuals.
? What are the ECGS bushing and how do they work in comparison to the stock needle?Bearings.
I have a king lift on my truck and im not experiencing any vibrations at the moment, but would like to avoid any in the future. Any help would be appreciated.
Nice looking truck

Very nice! I have roughly 2” in the front and had noise immediately, though I’ve heard of plenty of guys who haven’t immediately. Basically, when the truck is in 2wd, the cv idles against the bearing in the stationary carrier as support when the diff isn’t engaged. When you’re in 4wd and the diff is engaged, they have the same relative motion and no vibration is made. Because the tolerance isn’t super fine, and it’s to allow the splines some play, the needle bearing becomes side loaded with even the slightest height adjustment. The bushing is a direct replacement of the bearing dimensionally, but eliminate the moving parts that cause the issue.

 

[Toyotimothy]

You’d think Toyota would have fixed this by now. Seems like a simple fix. I guess they have the mindset of if it ain’t broke don’t fix it but with individuals lifting these trucks even a little bit they should know what it’s going to do. I wonder if they replace anything when they do a factory lift. Or if they leave it to vibrate.

 

[fzjeddie]

You’d think Toyota would have fixed this by now. Seems like a simple fix. I guess they have the mindset of if it ain’t broke don’t fix it but with individuals lifting these trucks even a little bit they should know what it’s going to do. I wonder if they replace anything when they do a factory lift. Or if they leave it to vibrate.

I also found that interesting. Not a problem on stock height but Toyota knows that half the Tacomas they sell will get lifted at some point. I’d be very interested to know what the factory lifted ones have done if anything.

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