Regearing and rear axle seals - Toyota 4Runner Forum

ChromeT4R · 02-28-2023, 05:55 PM

I'm looking at getting my 2wd 4cy 2000 4runner regeared. Since it currently has 220,000 miles should I get the rear axle seals replaced at the same time?

Bad Luck · 02-28-2023, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChromeT4R

I'm looking at getting my 2wd 4cy 2000 4runner regeared. Since it currently has 220,000 miles should I get the rear axle seals replaced at the same time?

Yes. Might as well while the axle shafts are out. Just do a grease/sharpie test to make sure the new seal is in the right spot.

gamefreakgc · 02-28-2023, 07:24 PM

Buy 3 seals. If it's your first time, it's very easy to smash the seals up by accident. Freezing them beforehand helps a little with installation too as they shrink just a tiny bit and allow them to slide in easier.

JoeT4R · 02-28-2023, 08:20 PM

Agreed with the above. Also go OEM for the seals, don't do aftermarket ones. If they've lasted you this long then you can expect to double it from here forward.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

T4R2014 · 02-28-2023, 08:54 PM

Do wheel bearings while you are in there. You won't have to worry about that rear for a long time.

mtbtim · 03-01-2023, 12:59 AM

First of all, if you're gonna do a re-gear, I suggest using East Coast Gear Supply. You can order pre-built differentials and send yours back to satisfy the core charge.

You can pull the differentials yourself using these videos:

REAR DIFF SWAP

FRONT DIFF SWAP

WATCH FRONT DIFF SWAP PART 2 AS WELL FOR FURTHER HELPFUL INFO

In regards to the rear axle seals. You could just go for the seal replacements, but it would be better to do the whole job and replace the bearings, retainers and other associated parts too. The videos below will instruct you how to do it. Watch both videos and be sure to read the comments I pinned (1st comment you see) for further updates on the job

REAT AXLE SEAL JOB PART 1

REAR AXLE SEAL JOB PART 2

Rushthezeppelin · 03-01-2023, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamefreakgc

Buy 3 seals. If it's your first time, it's very easy to smash the seals up by accident. Freezing them beforehand helps a little with installation too as they shrink just a tiny bit and allow them to slide in easier.

This, don't question this advice. I did and asked around trying to figure out why everyone screws up their first one. I thought I had it all figured out and only bought 2 seals. Sure enough I screwed up the first one too and had to eat some humble pie. They are only 7 bucks so there's basically no reason not to. Probably not a bad idea to just do the bearings while you are there too (definitely do this if you have noticed any gear oil that has made it past the seal, failure on bearings can be catastrophic and ruin your new gears). Also pretty cheap in the grand scheme of things if you can find someone with a press and the Donald press tool.

shadow247 · 03-02-2023, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rushthezeppelin

This, don't question this advice. I did and asked around trying to figure out why everyone screws up their first one. I thought I had it all figured out and only bought 2 seals. Sure enough I screwed up the first one too and had to eat some humble pie. They are only 7 bucks so there's basically no reason not to. Probably not a bad idea to just do the bearings while you are there too (definitely do this if you have noticed any gear oil that has made it past the seal, failure on bearings can be catastrophic and ruin your new gears). Also pretty cheap in the grand scheme of things if you can find someone with a press and the Donald press tool.

I always buy multiple seals. Having a bunch of 3rd gen buddies, it seems like someone is needing one. It's nice to just be like "oh yeah I got one on my part bin" and knock out a job instead of having to wait.

ChromeT4R · 03-03-2023, 08:29 AM

Wow great info! Thank you all for the information and advice. I didn't consider the bearings. Some more thinking to do.

Rushthezeppelin · 03-03-2023, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChromeT4R

Wow great info! Thank you all for the information and advice. I didn't consider the bearings. Some more thinking to do.

If the back ends are the same as the 4wd you can get the actual OEM bearings much cheaper at Napa than you can the dealership btw. They are Koyo bearings.

Forums
Toyota 4Runner Forum	Official Vendors & Sponsors	4Runner & Hilux Surf Clubs	Site related
New Members	Become a Sponsor/Advertiser	American T4R Clubs (click to view)	Advertising & Sponsorship Information
General Discussions	Cali Raised LED	Florida	Software Related Questions & Answers
6th gen T4Rs	Trail4R	Georgia	Comments & Suggestions
5th gen T4Rs	SuncentAuto	(The Rest of) The Deep South	Links
4th Gen T4Rs	BaseLayer	So Cal	2012 4Runner
3rd gen T4Rs	DRZ OFF ROAD	Nor Cal	2017 4Runner
Classic T4Rs	Wheeler's Off-Road	Pacific NW	2015 4Runner
Classifieds - buy & sell (no commercial ads please)	C4 Fabrication	Southwest	2016 4Runner
For Sale: Vehicles	TRDParts4U	Texas & Oklahoma	2013 4Runner
For Sale: Suspension/Wheels/Tires	Rago Fabrication	Carolinas	2014 4Runner
For Sale: T4R Items	VTXWheels	Maryland / Virginia / WV / D.C.	2019 4Runner
For Sale: Non-T4R Items	SDHQ OFFROAD	Northeast	2011 4Runner
Free	Cali Raised LED	New England	2010 4Runner
Want to Buy/Trade	Coastal Offroad	Great Lakes	2009 4Runner
Feedback on Sellers & Buyers	GarageTime	Ozarks	2008 4Runner
Group Buys	Accessorides	Heartland	2007 4Runner
Off Topic	Raingler	Mountain	2006 4Runner
TSB	Proline 4wd Equipment	Alaska & Hawaii	2005 4Runner
Off-Roading	Venomrex	Canadian T4R Clubs (click to view)	2004 4Runner
Gallery	LFD Off Road	Montreal / Quebec	2003 4Runner
Engines / Suspension / Wheels / Tires / Audio / Accessories	OEM Audio Plus	Toronto / Ottawa / Ontario	2002 4Runner
Maintenance/Detailing	Victory4x4	Edmonton / Calgary / Alberta	2001 4Runner
Problems & Warranty Issues	Overland Gear Guy	Vancouver / British Columbia	2000 4Runner
Polls	RCI Off Road	Winnipeg / Manitoba	1999 4Runner
Dealers - Your Experience	TreadWright	European T4R & Hilux Surf Clubs (click to view)	1998 4Runner
FJ Cruiser	Underdog Racing Development / URD	UK	1997 4Runner
Lexus GX470/460	Front Runner Outfitters	France	1996 4Runner
All Other Vehicles	BOSS StrongBox	Germany
	Orange Boxx	Iceland
	Sherpa Equipment Co	Italy
	4RUNNERLIFESTYLE	Russia
	Ironman 4x4	Scandinavia
	LASFIT	Asia & Oceania T4R & Hilux Surf Clubs (click to view)
	Toyota Parts Express	Australia
	4xInnovations.com	Guam
	All-Pro Off Road	Japan
	Rockauto	Mongolia
	Air Lift	New Zealand
	UltraRev	Africa & Middle East T4R & Hilux Surf Clubs (click to view)
	Stealth Custom Series	Nigeria
	High Tech Auto and Truck Center	South Africa
	Metal-tech 4x4	Egypt
	ToyotaTRDParts.com	Latin America / Carribbean T4R & Hilux Surf Clubs (click to view)
	Addicted Offroad	Argentina
		Brazil
		Caribbean Islands
		Mexico
		T4R Meet Announcements & Info
		T4R Meet Pictorials & Writeups

Site Navigation