They didn't need the ring to overthrow Sauron. They overthrew him by the correct method, a hopeless quest to destroy his ring.
If they wanted to destroy him by force then yes, the did "need" the ring, but only for the purpose. No one as an individual needs the ring, and because of that, no individual would be willing to be the wielder (unless they desired the ring, or in other words, they had been influenced by its temptation). Boromir told Elrond to use it, but he refused (as Galadriel refused Frodo) because they knew that it wouldn't solve anything. So even if the ring is "needed" to overthrow Sauron, Gandalf (also Galadriel, Aragorn, or Elrond) still wouldn't take the ring (unless they had a desire for it that overpowered their wisdom).
Overthrowing Sauron using the ring would require a powerful wielder, but none of the powerful were willing to be that wielder (save Saruman, Denethor, and Boromir). And the ones that were willing to use the ring (Saruman, Denethor, and Boromir) all showed signs of corruption.
As you can see, no one would use the ring unless they were corrupt or witless (don't realize the consequences).
Gandalf, Aragorn, and others who are uncorrupt and know the consequences of using it would never use it unless they became corrupt (because their knowledge could not be stolen). So if the ring and the desire for it became so great as to overcome their wisdom and previous will and resolve on that matter, it would only be a matter of time before it overcame their wisdom and previous will and resolve in everything.
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But the thing is that Sauron was too powerful to be overthrown except by using the Ring. Therefore the Ring was needed, and the Ring didn't have to have influenced the one to overthrow the Dark Lord.
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I think I've proved otherwise. No one would ever take it, no matter how much it was "needed", unless they were corrupted.