Hello,

I have looked every where and no one seems to have the same problem. Any input is appreciated. So got a 1997 4runner two years ago and the passenger side rear wheel bearing was bad or so I thought, there was a bunch of play. So I replaced the wheel bearing using Timmy the tool mans videos and still have a bunch of play on at the time I thought it was a bad new bearing so I replaced the wheel bearing again "this time with one from Toyota" and still had a bunch of play. So I went to the junk yard found one with very little to no play and put it on mine (axle wheel bearing Abs ring backing plate, everything just kept it together and put it into mine). And I still have play! but slightly less than after the wheel bearings I put on. After changing the tires I noticed I had a bunch of play again so just last weekend I tried to change the wheel bearing for a third time another wheel bearing from Toyota and I still have a bunch of play did everything by the book and torqued to spec. The only other thing I tired was grabbing the drum from the side (drivers side) and putting it on the passenger side and it didn't changed anything. The driver side rear wheel has Zero play and I've yet to change it. Could it be the rear differential/ 3rd Member? It makes no noise while driving and theirs no metal in the fluid. Thoughts?

What do you mean by play?

In and out?

Up and down?

Rotational?


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Is the axle housing damaged (where the bearing sits) or the bearing cup damaged? Is the actual bearing pressed all the way on? How tight were the retaining ring and abs tone ring? Since everything is a press fit you might have something that is loose.

Is the actual axle loose or is it the drum?

Sorry I should have said they play is up and down and side to side I don't remember there being any in and out. And the bearing I believe is pressed in all the way followed the video and got it on far enough to put the C clip back on. The housing seems fine but it did not take much for the bearing to come out of the housing but this is also the new housing and axle since the first time i did the Wheel bearing. I think the axle, when the tire is on you can feel and hear a clunk side to side and up and down

It sounds like the actual axle housing where the bearing outer race sits is worn, egged….


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I've tried two different housings the first one i tried to put a small shim in with no luck but maybe. They are crazy expensive from the dealership for a new one. I'm aware the bearing doesn't sit here. Only photo I got from the last job I did.

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The brand new bearings have some play. That is normal.

so you even tried with a junkyard complete unit and had the same issue. How does it compare to the other side ?

There is zero play on the driver side and maybe 1/4 inch on the passenger side. It is bad enough that shops wont do an alignment.

Sounds like an egged out bearing cup.

If the side with play is swapped over the the opposite side and doesn't have play, then it only leads to one possible conclusion.

Edit to remove bad info lol.

Sliding a new bearing into the axle housing hole and looking for the play between the OD of the bearing and the housing would tell the story.

When I have to remove my axles I must reverse the drum and use it as a slide hammer to get the axles out of the housing.


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I did noticed when removing the bearing from the housing after I got the axle out that it basically fall out like I just hit it twice with a hammer and it came out BUT the same thing happened to Timmy the tool man in his the video. Unfortunately there is no 3gen 4runners at the junk yard anywhere near me I'm up in Edmonton Alberta Canada. A new housing or "CASE, REAR AXLE BEARING; RETAINER, REAR AXLE BEARING, OUTER, LEFT; RETAINER, REAR AXLE BEARING, OUTER, RIGHT" Part Number: 4242135030 from Toyota is $130 USD. I thought it might be the housing too but this is my second housing the original one I changed the bearing on and the second one that I took from the junk and also changed the bearing on Still had the same issue but who's to say that they both are not good anymore. Any thoughts before I buy a housing and hope it works

Edit to remove incorrect info. Note to self, don't post when your tired.

But I thought the bearing does not sit in there? Like it just sits in the housing and and on the axle and the ABS ring just spins in that space?

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/attac...1&d=1716677348


Is this the piece to measure? its the the one I ordered.

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