85 Straight Axle Advice...

[JaredB3000]

Greetings T4Rers!

The other day when checking my tires, I noticed this on the passenger side:

<a href="http://s995.photobucket.com/albums/af80/jaredb3000/4Runner/?action=view&current=psghub.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af80/jaredb3000/4Runner/psghub.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Here's the pssgr side from underneath:

<a href="http://s995.photobucket.com/albums/af80/jaredb3000/4Runner/?action=view&current=psgside.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af80/jaredb3000/4Runner/psgside.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

And the driver side from beneath (there is no oil visible around at the Aisin hub on the driver side):

<a href="http://s995.photobucket.com/albums/af80/jaredb3000/4Runner/?action=view&current=Drvrside.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af80/jaredb3000/4Runner/Drvrside.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

From what I can gather from a myriad of YT threads, I'm due for a knuckle rebuild kit... The front axle rebuild kit seems a bit more involved, though I'm not opposed to taking my time and doing it right if need be.

If these pics reveal anything that a first time SFA owner would be unaware of, please do let me know! I'm good at research and doing things right the first time, but I'm out of my element in trouble-shooting the front end on my rig given its present state. Any and all advice welcome (if indeed these pics might reveal enough to discern advice...)

FYI- no noises, drives straight and true on the highway, turns like a champ, no uneven tire ware...

Thanks!

JB

 

[BucknutBob]

I don't exactly know these like the back of my hand either, but I'm betting you're correct on the knuckle rebuild, and in particular, the seal that is just inside the rear of the knuckles (seals against the ball portion on the axle ends)--like any soft part that rubs against metal, it's prone to wear out and leak. Low-Range Offroad (website) can hook you up--they carry Trail-Gear's kits and parts and are usually cheaper than the maker's site. I'd wait for more experienced opinions before taking action, but this is my two cents worth anyway.

 

[cometobanks]

Its a felt "gasket" they wear out every 200000 miles or so.... Its a garage doable project

 

[Tinman1985]

Yes your axle seals are leaking. Do yourself a favor and buy new ones from Marlin Crawler along with a rebuild kit; much nicer quality. Also trail gear or longfield sells a plastic wiper. Buy them and never put on felt again.

 

[mark3406e]

Time to go through it, if the knuckles are leaking the birfs could use a greasing to I would say. A little maintance goes a long way. This should help.
Toyota Front Axle Rebuild along with this kit

Front Axle Service Kit | Marlin Crawler, Inc.

or this one if your bearings look good.

Knuckle Service Kit | Marlin Crawler, Inc.

 

[GonOvr]

I believe your inner axle seals are leaking as mentioned above. The gear oil is mixing with the grease thinning it out. Looks like the whole axle needs freshening up.

 

[hoe_nah]

84 Solid Axle rebuild..w/pictures - YotaTech Forums

 

[fourwd1]

It's fairly simple, you don't need a "knuckle rebuild", just new seals.
Just tear it down, clean out all the oil/grease milkshake, and put in new axle seals, and re-assemble.
Marlin Crawler, Trail Gear, All Pro, etc all carry seal and gasket kits, as well as the 54 mm socket if you don't already have one.

And BTW, yours is just starting to go bad, you could probably go a year before it really needed work. Just check the gear oil level in the diff every few months

 

[Bad_Vision]

I agree use marlin crawler kit!

 

[JaredB3000]

Thanks for the input yall!

While financially I'm liking the axle seal/gaskets option on the wallet, which is pretty light due to all the projects on my new in-need-of-TLC house, I'm on the fence with just biting the bullet and dropping $ on the full axle kit so I can (reasonably) not have to worry about tearing into the front end for a while...

If I go the seal/gasket route to save some $, is determining the condition of the wheel bearings a visual thing, mechanical (a I suspect I could turn them by hand and feel for any inconsistencies?), or both?

Also- today I came across quite a bit of bashing of the harbor freight torque wrench on a few threads, and I just so happened to pick this one up for 10$ at a store opening a few weeks ago:

1/2" Torque Wrench

While I get that HF stuff is often inferior to the name brand, I don't have the coin for something better at the moment. Has anyone used this particular wrench with success for axle rebuild/general wrenching? Any horror stories?

Muchos gracias amigos!

 

[fourwd1]

Good luck.
Have plenty of rags and cleaner on hand to clean the sludge out.

 

[92-SR5]

Thanks for the input yall!

While financially I'm liking the axle seal/gaskets option on the wallet, which is pretty light due to all the projects on my new in-need-of-TLC house, I'm on the fence with just biting the bullet and dropping $ on the full axle kit so I can (reasonably) not have to worry about tearing into the front end for a while...

If I go the seal/gasket route to save some $, is determining the condition of the wheel bearings a visual thing, mechanical (a I suspect I could turn them by hand and feel for any inconsistencies?), or both?

Also- today I came across quite a bit of bashing of the harbor freight torque wrench on a few threads, and I just so happened to pick this one up for 10$ at a store opening a few weeks ago:

1/2" Torque Wrench

While I get that HF stuff is often inferior to the name brand, I don't have the coin for something better at the moment. Has anyone used this particular wrench with success for axle rebuild/general wrenching? Any horror stories?

Muchos gracias amigos!

I actually have that same wrench, hasn't failed me yet, but it is HF. Make sure to turn down the setting when you are not using it otherwise it can get out of calibration.