2011 T4R Front Wheel Bearing

[cdcengineer]

So during a road trip last weekend I notice a hum from what sounded like the front drivers side. It was only noticeable when turning left. Speed didn't seem to matter, though it was unnoticeable at very low speeds. M\This being my wife's daily driver, I hadn't been in it in a while. Needless to say, we were well on our way before I really noticed it. My first thought was wheel bearing. We continued the trip, and 500 miles later we got home. No grinding, no additional noise, but I was able to lift the truck and sure enough there's a bit of play in the wheel. It turns out the passenger side is the culprit. I could slightly feel it when sitting in the passenger seat while she drove. Anyway, I am ordering parts tomorrow, but wanted to ask for some thoughts. Do I need to replace both sides at the same time (is the other just waiting to fail)? Truck has 110k miles. Also, is it safe to drive short distances until next weekend after the parts arrive and I can replace? I know the right answer is no, but it would be easier if she could drive this to genuine Toyota parts, but I don't think they sell the full hub and bearing assembly? Can I replace just the bearing, or will that require pressing the bearing into the hub? I've read some threads here, and watched a couple of videos. I'm wondering what all parts I need to replace? Hub, bearing, seal between hub and bearing, small seal behind the hub? I just replaced the front oil pump seal and a few other items on my 3rz tacoma, I was hoping not to tackle another project so soon. Is this something I should let a mechanic handle? Any thoughts on cost for a shop to perform the work? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated? Thanks

 

[harper7]

So during a road trip last weekend I notice a hum from what sounded like the front drivers side. It was only noticeable when turning left. Speed didn't seem to matter, though it was unnoticeable at very low speeds. M\This being my wife's daily driver, I hadn't been in it in a while. Needless to say, we were well on our way before I really noticed it. My first thought was wheel bearing. We continued the trip, and 500 miles later we got home. No grinding, no additional noise, but I was able to lift the truck and sure enough there's a bit of play in the wheel. It turns out the passenger side is the culprit. I could slightly feel it when sitting in the passenger seat while she drove. Anyway, I am ordering parts tomorrow, but wanted to ask for some thoughts. Do I need to replace both sides at the same time (is the other just waiting to fail)? Truck has 110k miles. Also, is it safe to drive short distances until next weekend after the parts arrive and I can replace? I know the right answer is no, but it would be easier if she could drive this to genuine Toyota parts, but I don't think they sell the full hub and bearing assembly? Can I replace just the bearing, or will that require pressing the bearing into the hub? I've read some threads here, and watched a couple of videos. I'm wondering what all parts I need to replace? Hub, bearing, seal between hub and bearing, small seal behind the hub? I just replaced the front oil pump seal and a few other items on my 3rz tacoma, I was hoping not to tackle another project so soon. Is this something I should let a mechanic handle? Any thoughts on cost for a shop to perform the work? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated? Thanks

Have heard nothing but good things on several Toyota forums about Andy at Bluepit ... That is who I would buy a complete assembly from. Here is the link.
Toyota 4Runner

You can also search on here as there are at least 10 threads with lots of info.

 

[cdcengineer]

Thanks Harper. This link makes it an easy one stop shop. Surfing the dealer website, prices are similar, but I have to look at the diagram to figure out each part #. Now to determine if I can get away with doing one now, and wait for #2 to grumble. I'm thinking a giant pot hole or rough mtn road ate the first bearing

 

[harper7]

Thanks Harper. This link makes it an easy one stop shop. Surfing the dealer website, prices are similar, but I have to look at the diagram to figure out each part #. Now to determine if I can get away with doing one now, and wait for #2 to grumble. I'm thinking a giant pot hole or rough mtn road ate the first bearing

Not sure if Toyota dealerships even sell them as a assembly. I would probably just do the bad one, unless peace of mind do both. You never know on the front wheel bearings. My 3rd Gen believe it or not has 255,000 on the original front wheel bearings now. I check them all the time but still smooth like butter and no play. Left rear went at about 225k miles but changed them both since I had to drain the diff anyways and tooling was all set up.

There is a video on changing them on his website too that's real good. It's on a 4th Gen 4runner but 4th and 5th gens are exactly the same and Taco's too .

 

[KingDan]

Another vote for Bluepit! I replaced both fronts last year, one afternoon and a 6er. I had 12 just to be sure. Got the complete hubs quick. You wont be disappointed.

 

[Jivewalker]

Not sure if Toyota dealerships even sell them as a assembly. I would probably just do the bad one, unless peace of mind do both. You never know on the front wheel bearings. My 3rd Gen believe it or not has 255,000 on the original front wheel bearings now. I check them all the time but still smooth like butter and no play. Left rear went at about 225k miles but changed them both since I had to drain the diff anyways and tooling was all set up.

There is a video on changing them on his website too that's real good. It's on a 4th Gen 4runner but 4th and 5th gens are exactly the same and Taco's too .

Dealerships press them together at install. I replaced my fronts and had trouble with one that kept coming unseated so I went to the dealer after three failed attempts. Could have been a bad assembly I bought from a guy on TW @ 2 for ~$300. $600 for one assembled/installed at dealer, been fine ever since.

 

[cdcengineer]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to do just the one for now. I have a 1996 (hunt truck) and 2001 (daily driver) Taco's and have never had issues. The 96 has 292k. I'm waiting to hear back on assembly at dealer, but I'm probably going to order full assembly at Bluepit. Seems like a no-brainer. I let my wife drive it to work. Hope that doesn't blow up in my face. No grind, just a bit of play