Rear Axle Seal and Bearing Replacement? - Page 2 - Toyota 4Runner Forum

texadelphia · 05-23-2021, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChromeT4R

I saw the video a week ago and I do remember seeing the retainer get flipped. Mine is a 2000 nonABS. Those who had their mechanic do the job, did you directly tell them to flip the retainer? I guess I'm not sure how to approach my mechanic without telling him how to do his job. Do I say, here watch the video so you do it correctly...

I had an automotive machine shop, with a lot of experience doing these, press on my bearings and tone rings. I did tell them to flip the retainers and they were receptive to doing it. I kind of felt like I was telling them how to do their job but they were willing to listen. Guess you just need to feel it out with your mechanic. You can just can fall back on the explanation that Toyota has changed the design of the seals in recent history.

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toverturf · 05-23-2021, 01:23 AM

I think it's now recommended to use a new retainer for the inner one and you can reuse the outer retainer and abs ring. Seems like the retainer can get tiny scratches in it when pulling it off that could cause fluid to get past slowly if reused. Toyota Rear Axle Seal/Bearing Replacement (Part 2) - YouTube I'd read the pinned comment on Tim's video for more info.

T4topher · 05-23-2021, 03:53 AM

Really not a hard job to do if you have the right tools, some of the tools are a bit expensive though such as a hydraulic press/press sleeves/specific axle puller.. The re gear is pretty simple as well, just get a built 3rd from east coast gear supply and drop it in your differential. Then you send yours to get your core $ back. Timmy has a video on that as well.

ChromeT4R · 05-23-2021, 01:25 PM

With all the feedback, suggestions and help from this community, I'm confident I can do both jobs. I think this summer I'll knock out the leaking valve cover. Then slowly do my research and buy the tools for gear change and bearing/seal replacement for next summer.
I have to take it easy...if I lock myself in the garage the wife will make the garage my permanent home. I've already done the TBU, fuel filter, lift and swapped tires and wheels. The muffler delete just about pushed her over the cliff...

Thank you all the help. Great community!

Bad Luck · 05-24-2021, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChromeT4R

I saw the video a week ago and I do remember seeing the retainer get flipped. Mine is a 2000 nonABS. Those who had their mechanic do the job, did you directly tell them to flip the retainer? I guess I'm not sure how to approach my mechanic without telling him how to do his job. Do I say, here watch the video so you do it correctly...

I would tell your mechanic that the rear axle seal has been redesigned by Toyota and it requires the retainer to be flipped in order to get a good seal.

MattB1982 · 05-28-2021, 11:51 AM

Does anyone in the Augusta, GA area have a the tone ring tool that I can borrow to set my bearing retainers? The tool I bought didn’t include it.

ChromeT4R · 05-28-2021, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Luck

I would tell your mechanic that the rear axle seal has been redesigned by Toyota and it requires the retainer to be flipped in order to get a good seal.

Yeah that seems to be the best way to approach it without getting kicked out of the garage. I think I can do it, but then again a few posts earlier it was mentioned that it can go south quickly once your all in. My concern is when I say I think...

Bad Luck · 05-28-2021, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChromeT4R

Yeah that seems to be the best way to approach it without getting kicked out of the garage. I think I can do it, but then again a few posts earlier it was mentioned that it can go south quickly once your all in. My concern is when I say I think...

If you're planning on doing it yourself budget twice as much time as you think you'll need lol Besides the normal tools, you'll need snap ring pliers, axle bearing/retainer puller/installer (there's a loaner tool here on the forum or you can buy one off ebay), bearing grease, a sharpie, brake fluid, and a flare nut wrench. I recommend getting these to plug the brake lines while they are loose so you don't use lose all your brake fluid: Amazon.com: 40 Pc 1/16" to 3/4" High Temp Silicone Rubber Tapered Plug Kit - Powder Coating Custom Painting Supplies: Automotive I found a 4" x 4" 1/2" thick piece of steel plate was helpful to put on the axle to press everything back together.

KG26x · 06-01-2021, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChromeT4R

I recently went with larger wheels and tires and I want to regear the rearend. My mechanic said that since my T4R has 210K miles, he suggests replacing the rear axle's seals and bearings while he's already working on the rearend. Is replacing the seals and bearings too early for the miles it has? It's not leaking. How many miles does the rear axle go through before it starts to leak? All my driving has been on streets. No offroading.

I have a '99 SR5 V6 4wd with 265k and a '99 Limited V6 4wd 210k, both native Las Vegas trucks. I'm literally in the process of doing both rear wheel bearings, axle seals and wheel cylinders for the SR5, and the same with the Limited except only one wheel bearing as the other seal wasn't leaking. Pretty standard with nearly quarter million mile maintenance IMO. I'd say do it all while you're in there. Gonna pay double labor if you do it in another 25/50k

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