bad noise/cv/ new to yota

[kegs07]

hey just registered with the site, hoping to get someones advice as to whats wrong. my mother in law has a 2007 t4r v6 4wd and it has a few different problems. the front cv's have some play in them and most likely need replaced. how hard is this to do? anyonne got any pics. we took it to toyota who took it to a spradley stealership to get it checked out. they tried sayin front cv were trashed, rear end pinion was leaking and bearings were pitted. i took a look under it and they never put a wrench on the rear end to check a *&^% thing. i told her i'd fix it since money is kinda tight, but i wanna do it right. i've worked on cars and am no dummy, just looking for a little insight before i tear into it. she also says it is making a noise almost like a mud tire on paved road. i figured it was associated with the cv issue,,, am i right? thanks for the help guys!!!

 

[FourEyedWilly]

I'm going to go with...get a second opinion on this one. I find it hard to believe the front CVs are gone unless your mother-in-law has a lift greater than 4 inches or, she has had the center diff locked for a long time. Either this, or she's gone a ton of miles...

1) Have you checked the tires for cupping?
2) Has the drivetrain been lubed up? (search zerk fitting and you will find info on driveline clunk)


I guess I just don't buy it unless she is over 100K...

Good luck and others will have good info for you!

 

[Absolute]

I highly doubt it is the CV jointas, for reasons Willy said. It takes a lot to destroy such. Check to make sure they have clean grease though, http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/75149-check-cv-joints.html
This is what I found under mine this past weekend.
Joints are still in great condition though.

There are 6 fittings on the drive shafts if I recall. Grease em up, will help non the less.

How many miles are on the 4r, is it lifted, v8 or v6.

 

[kegs07]

thanks for the input guys. its a 2007 4r with 71,000 miles on it. no lift kit, no locker. bone stock to the t. she drives it out of our little town, down the interstate about 65mph and into city. she drives it easy as well. 4 wheel drive does get used because we get quite a bit of snow around here. a little over a year ago the stealership replaced the rear differential saying that it was bad. the vehicle did have to be towed i guess and wouldn't move when put into gear. sounded to me more like a transfer case problem than rear end. wouldn't even move in 4wd. i took it for a spin tonight and it sounded to me like the rear pinion bearings are going out. this weekend i'm goin in and replacing them and the seal while i'm right there. any other idea's / thoughts? idvice on changing the bearings? thanks!

 

[gm350reratliff]

I would drain the rear diff oil and see if there is any metal in there. The dealer might have only rebuilt the rear diff. If they did their setup wrong that could be the issue. If that was the case I would make them eat it. Does the noise change with throttle input? Coasting? In 4wd? You might also consider removing the rear drive shaft and driving it around in 4wd to see if the noise dissapears or changes. Lots of things I would check before tearing into that rear diff. If she is like my mother-in-law, and my mom too, who knows what she drove over. They both drive slow, but straight. They don't serve for anything in the road.

 

[kegs07]

i never thought about taken off the rear drive shaft to see if noise dissapears. good idea! how hard is it to change pinion bearings on these things? i've never done it, but i've installed lockers into jeeps, pulled trannies, lift kit on a jeep, chipped my cummins and done stuff like that, and had no problem, plus i like wrenchin on stuff! just don't wanna get into somethin i can't finish