Tacoma Needle Bearing Replacement With ECGS Bushing When Lifting.. DO IT!

I recently began experiencing “vibration” and “rumble strip” feelings from the driver side front while driving my Tacoma with a 2”/1” lift kit. This video dives into the common reasons for the needle bearing failure.. my thoughts on it.. and the end results. Feel free to hit me up with questions and post your comments based off of similar experiences. Enjoy!
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[@DUNEATV]

Great channel. Keep up the good work!

[@westcoasttaco]

Thanks, will do! Thanks for tuning in!

[@chrischurch6187]

I am thinking about upgrading to Bilsteins 5100s on my '22 TRD Sport. Is it recommended I upgrade to rhis bushing as well? Thanks for the recommendation

[@westcoasttaco]

Yes I would 100% recommend doing this at the same time. It will save you a lot of heartache down the road.. also consider doing some upgraded uca’s i plan to upgrade mine to some Spc UCAs very soon.

[@chrischurch6187]

Thanks for the fast reply. I like the channel 👍🏻

[@westcoasttaco]

@@chrischurch6187 glad to hear it! Thanks for reaching out and tuning it👍🏼

[@kevinkidneyy]

thanks for sharing . i want to lift my truck but ima keep it stock . i just added the trd pro wheels and trd pro grill

[@ulhpilot7757]

So, I watched the entire video and I'm pretty sure I didn't miss anything. And guess what? I have no idea where this bushing goes or why it causes a vibration. I was watching your tail light video and saw this one in your channel listing and thought I'd take a look. If you did mention where it goes and I missed it, I apologize in advance. Peace and Love. BTW It's not being a SA, it's (hopefully) constructive criticism.

[@blj_1970]

I have a 23 Tacoma Pro which comes with the lift from factory. Do you think I will experience this on my new 23?

[@westcoasttaco]

You should be fine. The Bilstein TRD Lift Kit is about a 1/2” taller than the fox suspension on the pro. The angle shouldn’t affect it too much 👍🏼🤙🏼

[@johnnycash7803]

I think mine is bad an its not lifted. Its a 2010 tacoma. Its ok to use the this upgrade even if its not lifted?

[@westcoasttaco]

100% 👍🏼

[@MarioFlores-dh1gi]

Hello I’m very interested in your channel it’s very insightful, on your video about the needle bearing you mentioned the mechanic that did the work but I don’t see any details on how to contact him. Does he have a website? Please help

[@westcoasttaco]

Hey Mario, in the title if you click the “read more” there are several links to contact him or to read more about other testimonials. Here is his contact link. speed-freek.com/contact/

[@MarioFlores-dh1gi]

@@westcoasttaco thank you for your reply, one more quick question on the site ECGS there’s 2 sizes 8” and 7.5” I was wondering which one is the right size for my Tacoma off road 4x4 long bed

[@westcoasttaco]

@@MarioFlores-dh1gi I have the same truck and ordered the 8”. Here is the link. eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-8536125-toyota-8-clamshell-bushing-eliminates-needle-bearing.html happy to help whenever I can!

[@MarioFlores-dh1gi]

@@westcoasttaco you are extremely helpful, thank you

[@USMC_LAterZ]

Did you get one side or both sides done?

[@westcoasttaco]

Just the driver side.. to my understanding the the difference is the driver's side has a CV shaft directly entering the bearing, but the passenger has a short stub shaft directly entering it as part of the ADD (automatic disconnecting differential).From what I have read it seems like much more complex compared to the drivers side and typically not something routinely done. Or at least that side doesn’t commonly cause problems. My plan is to keep an eye on it and pick Jason’s brain on it when I go back for future fluid changes etc. But you are right the passenger side has the same bearing.

[@ulhpilot7757]

According to ECGS the passenger side is a ball bearing.

[@SSPshooter72]

I have a brand new 2023 TRD Off Road that now has less than 400 miles on it. I'm about to put 5100's set for 1.55" up front and 1.5" Progressive AAL in the rear. I ordered the ECGS bushing and will replacing it while I'm there..... it just makes sense to me. I do my own wrenching but I agree with you that Toyota should sell this with the kit. I appreciate the push to go ahead and getting it done.

[@westcoasttaco]

Congrats Ryan on the new Taco! You got the Magnetic Gray correct? Glad you are doing this with your Bilstein setup.. definitely makes sense to me.. no reason to roll dice when the odds of having issues with the needle bearing are very likely. Especially now that I have experienced this process..Enjoy!

[@SSPshooter72]

@@westcoasttaco Your correct about the MGM. Did you see me on Tacomaworld?

[@westcoasttaco]

@@SSPshooter72 nice! You commented on one of my first videos a couple months ago and told me you were waiting for it. I assumed you got the one you mentioned, but I know things change some times.

[@SSPshooter72]

@@westcoasttaco Thats correct. It took 5 months to get it. TRD Off Road Premium. I'm enjoying it..... as I know you are enjoying yours.

[@rubenarbelaez7964]

how much they charge you for completed the job?

[@westcoasttaco]

I believe I paid around $300.00?? Minus the hardware that I ordered.

[@IBRAKEFORBEDROCK]

Im pretty sure the damage to that needle bearing occurred when it was removed.

[@James-yv8nm]

Great channel! Should be getting my 23 OR MT in a few weeks. Looking at possibly adding the same lift. Just to add a little depth to your channel maybe include a few pics or short clips of the job being done? Assuming your mechanic doesn’t mind of course. Promotes his work and is helpful for us less mechanically inclined folks 😅 Also maybe part numbers and wether or not it’s the same part across the different Tacoma trims. All of this is a quick google search away and should be verified anyways. But would still be helpful and appreciated. I live in SoCal as well and work in the Temecula area. I might look up the same shop that installed your lift. Keep up the great work 👍

[@westcoasttaco]

Thanks James and will do! Congratulations on the new Taco you have coming in! I actually work in Temecula too, it’s a small world man.. Let me know what color Tacoma you get and I’ll keep an eye out for you when I’m out there😂. Thanks for tuning in brother 👍🏼!

[@westcoasttaco]

Also here is a link to get in touch with the mechanic I use. speed-freek.com/contact/

[@James-yv8nm]

Thanks for the link! What do you think of the leaked 24? Definitely see some of the good looks handed down from the Gen 3. I’m still hesitant about the longevity of that turbo 4 tho. The 3.5 might be a bit of a dog but it’s a reliable dog. My 2001 has 316k with no major work. I expect the same from the Gen 3. Mine will be white. I wanted Lunar Rock but had to compromise for the MT. It came down to a Base OR MT in Lunar with a dealer markup or an OR MT Premium in white for MSRP. If I’m going to spend more I’d rather spend on the Premium package than throwing money away on dealer markups. I do like white with pretty much everything else blacked out. I think your Pro wheels are the best looking ones so far.

[@westcoasttaco]

@@James-yv8nm Absolutely! Jason is an amazing mechanic and honestly the only person I trust to work on my truck. I promise, you won’t be disappointed. Also he is really good at lifts.. if I would have known about him from the beginning I would have just had him do my lift.. you should ask him and get his thoughts.. he’s an off-road professional.. So the 4th Gen.. honestly from what I’ve seen so far and that full front photo that was just leaked.. I think they did an incredible job with the design.. I think it looks absolutely awesome and super aggressive.. but no surprises there… Toyota has always made great looking Tacomas and I envisioned them going above and beyond on this design after the 3rd Gens became so popular. Will I be running out and buying one when they first out?? No, absolutely not.. I still have my reservations, just like yourself with the new Powertrain platform they are going to.. and I will definitely be keeping my 3rd Gen regardless of getting a 4th Gen or not.. I don’t think the 4th Gen will be as reliable as the 3rd Gen.. and after getting the Overland Torque Tune.. my truck now feels like an aggressive and smooth running machine.. and no longer like a dog.. if I get my hands on one in a few years once the initial kinks are worked out.. I’ll go for either a pro or trail hunter package in a M/T.. I hope they offer one if not both in a longbed platform.. they didn’t offer a pro in a longbed on the 3rd gen nor did they offer a longbed in a manual I’m hoping that changes as well.. The Lunar Rock is a sick color.. no doubt about it.. but when you turn the white into a “stormtrooper” look.. (which is what it sounds like you plan to do) it comes out really aggressive and looks absolutely awesome. I’ve heard a lot of people have issues with the white paint chipping really easy.. might be worth looking into getting a good paint protection film dome all around it as soon as you pick it up. Keep me posted on the progress. Maybe one of these days we meet up since we’re so close.

[@James-yv8nm]

For sure, I’m alway down to talk Taco. Do you film any of your vids in Temecula? Some of them look a lot like Business Park Dr and the surrounding area. I’ve never heard it referred to as the “Stormtrooper” look but I like it 😎 I’m debating a Leer cap with maybe a Prinsu, Westcott or Cali Raised rack on the cab and shell. I like the low profile look. Kind of a pain to wash the top though. I just might hit up your guy about a lift. I feel kind of indifferent about the actual trd lift kit. I really like the blacked out heritage grill. I’ve read that you can get it by itself but I haven’t pinned down where yet. I feel like for the money one could do a little better than the Bilstein set up. Although there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Bilstein. Not interested in painting a silver/gray heritage grill. I’m weird that way.. lol. Initially I was determined to have a dealership install it to maintain the warranty. For what they charge I’m starting to lean toward taking a chance with someone else doing the work. Read nothing but good things about the OTT. I’ve seen people do it with the MT but from what I’ve read you don’t get that night/day difference like you do with the autos. My first mod/accessory is always Wet Okole seat covers. Cloth or leather doesn’t matter. They get covered.. lol. Still debating tires size.. I like your set up. 265/75/R16 right? I wouldn’t mind going one size larger. No interest in trimming. I like a larger tire but not where it looks like it barely fits.