An axle nightmare.

[michael833]

For those of you that don't know, I recently discovered that I had a bent axle.

After searching hi and low in the Houston area, calling and going to a total of ≥10 salvage yards and pick a parts, I found that only a few had 4runners. The three or four that had 4runners either didn't want to sell an axle shaft by itself, or wanted 400 for just the shaft. Ridiculous.

I set off online and ordered an axle shaft from partsgeek.com. I spent a total of $200 to have it shipped to my door. Well I take the old axle out and take it to someone who had fabricated a tool especially for 4runner axles. When he saw my old axle he immediately knew who had done the previous job of pressing the bearings, retainers, etc. It was all wrong. Whether that led to the wobble of the bent axle, I don't know, but it explained why my axle leaked like it did.

Upon pressing new retainers, ABS ring, bearing, etc. he realized that the new axle was about 1/4 inch longer than my old one. We took it home and tried to put it in and sure enough, it didn't fit. I wanted to cry. This among a few other issues have really stressed me out the last few weeks and I am just not really happy right now.

Luckily, one of the guys that was helping me has his own metal lathe and took it home to see what he could do. He shaved some off and brought it back and it fit. Hooray!

Not.

For some reason the retainer isn't fitting on the seal properly. Due to work I haven't been able to be there in person and my truck is currently at my best friend's (her dad and his friend are the ones helping me) house on jack stands and missing an axle. Some more measurements were taken and they're seeing what they can do.

I have never been so stressed in my entire life. I miss my truck. I haven't driven it in two days. I'm already strapped on money as it is. Has anyone ever encountered anything like this?
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tl;dr:

axle bent. buy new one. no fit. i sad/slightly depressed. what do?

 

[BrianSD_42]

sorry to hear about your troubles

 

[chris360hawks]

I had a bent axle shaft one time as well. I just went to the local Toyota pick n pull and grabbed one out of a 4Runner with the brake backing assembly. It was like 35 bucks.

 

[wrestling160]

Axles with the ABS are a pain in the ass... I went through a junker to get a axle, and was bent worse than the one I had. After going through hell to get my money back, I went to get a shaft on ebay for $200. Then went to Toyota Parts Zone, put in my VIN, and went down the list. New bearings, new bearing assembly, new ABS ring, new backing plate, etc... Took 3 months for me playing the waiting game with shipping and failed press work.

 

[Singtoe]

Axle Nightmare

Next time, it won't be so painful.

 

[michael833]

well we got the axle shortened the right amount, it fit perfectly. however, the retainer isn't sitting flush with the seal.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

so the awesome man with the lathe fabbed up a bigger retainer. the axle is being taken to the shop tomorrow to see what can be done, whether it be move existing retainer or put on fabbed retainer. wish me luck!

 

[michael833]

alright fellas! i should've updated this last thursday but the runner is back on all fours! the two guys that were helping me decided to ditch the dorman axle because it was causing way too many problems. the term they used was funny, he claimed it was "too mickey mouse."

he set out on a search, the same as i had done weeks prior and couldn't find a single salvage yard with 4runners, let alone axles. he went about twenty miles out and found a street with salvage yards on each side. he went up and down both sides and nobody had an axle.

UNTIL...

there was one hole in the wall, raggedy, ghetto... he almost passed it up, but decided he'd give it a shot. upon asking if they had an axle for a 2000 4runner the man behind the counter kinda shook his head and said, "no... don't think so... just one second." he radio'd the man in the back (speaking arabic). they had ONE 4runner.

he goes out to look at the runner. it's 96. completely gutted: on blocks, no engine, no interior, doors missing, BUT IT HAD THE REAR RIGHT AXLE. HALLE-FÜKKEN-LUJAH! the guys only wanted $150 for it. once i was off work i went over to take a look. the bearing was in good condition, no play, it wasn't rusted, it looked nearly new. we got it cleaned up and slipped it right in. PERFECT FIT. now she's put back together, brakes bled, etc. etc.. i'm happy as could be. this nightmare's come to an end.

:surfer: