So I finally got a chance to pull my 4Runner in the heated shop at work today and check things out. Not only are both rear axle seals leaking, but the pinion shaft has some movement to it and is noisy. :dammit: So my question is this, before I tear into this thing what is common, bearing failure, or bearing failure and taking the gear set with it? What are my realistic options? Finally, can you guys give me some links where I could find a used 3rd member or any other parts I need? Thanks in advance, Brian
1998 with 3rd member howl and movement
- Thread starter fivegear
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FoneRunner
New member
Hey I've been dealing with that howling 3rd member now for about 60000 miles so I'm feeling your pain! The axle seals aren't too bad and as far as the 3rd member goes, I have been told that the pinion bearing is the first to go...but that it doesn't always take the ring and pinion with it. Unfortunately, I've also been told that you may as well replace the whole thing if the pinion is gone, so I'll tell ya that I got a newer one at Jim's Yota Yard in Denver, CO. The new one howls too...which is discouraging. Hope you have a better time with it than I did!:fro:
FoneRunner
New member
I'm glad to hear yours lasted 60000 miles. I have a howling 3rd member too, and I'm just waiting for it to go. Figured I'd do just like you and hit the junk yard when that time comes.
Mechanic put it on the lift and listened to it and said it was the rear pinion bearing.
I'm not sure it'll ever go....thats the trouble! I may have to listen to that high pitch whine until I regear!
So re-gearing could potentially take care of it?
From what I've heard the rear pinion bearing is a common issue.
FoneRunner
New member
When you regear, you get all new bearings(or you should anyway) and the whole thing gets set up again. Another source of noise is when the gears are either set up wrong or after some wear, they get looser in the housing. It doesn't mean they're gonna fall out, it just means they're noisy.
FoneRunner
New member
Of course you could always have yours rebuilt...I got a quote one time for $900 for everything. New gears, bearings, labor....all of it. I paid $600 for a used one that is still noisy and I had to do the swap myself so $900 doesn't sound bad at all....if I could do it over that is....:violin:
FoneRunner
New member
Either one of those quotes beats the $2000 quote I got from the dealership...because they don't rebuild them. Thats for a new one, and without labor. Good to know they're available though...just in case.:lol:
JohnsD90
New member
I'm glad to hear yours lasted 60000 miles. I have a howling 3rd member too, and I'm just waiting for it to go. Figured I'd do just like you and hit the junk yard when that time comes.
Mechanic put it on the lift and listened to it and said it was the rear pinion bearing.
Its a common issue, i fixed my 3rd member before i registered the car, it was $225 shipped for a used 1 with no locker and 4-10's. Took about 2.5 hours to install, wasnt hard.
JohnsD90
New member
It's a used part, they can't warrenty it will work for an extended period of time. Look in your phonebook or google for a local yard to look im.
Cool. We have a pretty massive local pull-a-part here so I shouldn't have too much trouble finding a new one.
FoneRunner
New member
I would imagine the non-locker ones would all be the same, just match the ger ratio and go. Even from a 2WD, right?
notrayray
New member
This is what my 1990 pickup pinion bearing looked like when it had been run dry before I bought it.
I suspect yours probably looks about the same.
This is probably the best gear setup info page....but all the info is scattered.
Toyota Gear Installs
Between this and the FSM you will have all the info you need.
You don't want to have to do it twice though. You could save some money by ordering all the parts you need and only paying for the labor.
Good luck.
:cheers:
