I was starting to get some squeaking from what seemed to be my rear brakes and upon inspection I noticed some diff oil has leaked out and gotten onto the rotors. I've resigned myself to the fact that I'm going to have the rear seals and bearings replaced. In doing a bit of digging on the forums I found one thread that was somewhat helpful and I've messaged the OP to try to get some more info.

Has anyone had this done? I figure if they're going to be in there, I might as well have both sides done and have seals and bearings all around. I'm trying to figure out what all needs replaced and what the part numbers are. I had the same job done on one of my old 3rd gens and I remember getting bearings from Koyo. Are they still the main manufacturer that Toyota uses for bearings? How about Timken bearings? I'm in Northeast Ohio near Timken world headquarters so I might be able to get a few bearings at significantly reduced cost if it would be advisable to use their bearings.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

In case it matters in part #s or recommendations:

2014 Trail Edition
285/75-17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers (I wonder if that extra unsprung weight is a big reason for the leaking?)

Thank you!

JT

Here are part numbers of what I think you'd need. Other than that I'm of no help.

Rear Axle Shaft & Hub - 2014 Toyota 4Runner

I just had this done. I was out of warranty so it was out of pocket. I pulled the axle myself. The unit bearing itself is pressed on the axle shaft and takes a special fixture. All in I was out 600 bucks approximately for 1 side with me doing all the labor except the pressing and getting the old unit bearing off. I also got parts at cost. It was 100 bucks for the press work.

Not a cheap job and not easy like older 4runners.

Thanks for the info, Jason.

What parts did you end up replacing? Looking at the parts diagram has my head spinning!

I'm assuming there's some stuff that isn't in a standard axle/bearing diagram that should be replaced as well, such as the ABS gear?

Thanks.

So these are the parts which I replaced from the previous persons post:


Hub & Bearing Assy, Rear Axle, LH

Retainer, Rear Axle Bearing, Inner LH

Ring, O (For Rear Axle Bearing Case LH)

Ring, Snap (For Rear Axle Shaft LH)

Seal, Oil (For Rear Axle Shaft LH)

The reluctor ring for the traction control/ABS is contained in the hub and bearing assembly so no need to worry about getting it.

The hub and bearing assembly is held on by the retainer and snap ring. This usually needs to be cut off and is also the surface the seal rides on. The reason mine was leaking was because some grit had some how got in the seal and wore a grove around the retainer. Not sure how that happened since it is a sealed space.

The bearing assembly must be pressed on and off which is why you need the special tool to do it. The retainer ring is then pressed on behind that and then the snap ring goes on. Complete overkill in typical Toyota fashion.

The axle seal itself taps into the end of the axle tube and the whole axle/bearing housing assembly slides back in. You need to disassemble the parking brake to take it apart and to put it back together. Complete pain in the ass.

I forgot to add why I had to change mine. My seal was leaking and everybody said that once that leaks the gear oil will run all the grease out of the bearing so if you go in you might as well replace the bearing while you are in there because it is probably going to fail sooner than later. When I got mine apart all the bearing grease had in fact run out of the bearing as everybody said.

There is a video of the process on YouTube of a FJ cruiser having the same work done.

Many, many thanks.

I priced everything out on Amayama and for both sides it came in at a little over $400 with shipping. I think I'll go that route and then have the work done after the New Year.

I'll peruse YouTube for the FJ video. I'm assuming the rear hub-assembly was the same as our 5th gens?