bracket on rear axle no longer connected

[FrankieV]

Hey all, firstimer here......got a '97 Runner and one of the brackets that attaches to the rear axle is busted.......I just bought this truck - has 173k miles on it - and it looks like it was welded before but just broke again.....

the brake also caused a leak in the brake line (which alerted me to both probs)....

does this happen often?

anyone know what my options are here?

thanks in advance!

Frankie V

 

[brian2sun]

We need some pics to see exactly what's broken. Not sure what bracket it is. Give us a pic of the brake line leak too so we can see where on the line it's leaking from. Is it lifted?

 

[FrankieV]

ok see pic attached......this is not my axle, however it shows the two brackets - with holes in them - on each side of the pumpkin....the right one broke on mine, and if you increase the zoom, you can see the brake line attached to the with a screw......I think once the bracket broke, it probably crimped the brake line which casued the leak, so I think I have two problems, 1) re-attach the bracket to the axle, and 2) replace the punctured brakeline

 

[Lignum]

Is that a 4runner?

 

[FrankieV]

yes a 1997 4runner.....and it is not lifted

 

[kregg]

Okay. That's not a picture of a 1997 4Runner rear axle.

Find it and circle it... Then we'll be able to help ya out!

 

[FrankieV]

well my rear axle looks exactly like the picture I sent.....anyways I don't know how to circle it but looking at my picture, there are two brackets - with holes in them - that attach to the axle housing and on top you can see it attaches to the car.......mine on the right and is broken off, in fact it appears it had been welded on before but broke again. lots of rust too.....i was told you cannot re-weld them and must replace the entire axle housing, just got a quote for $2300 including some brake work, etc......

 

[004Gunner]

If it can't be welded then clean off the rust, reattach using JB Weld, and paint over it to inhibit further rusting. Problem solved!

 

[jsmarine]

Thats probably what the original owner did, JB welded it and then it broke off again.

I know you can find a welding shop to do, just go to shops on that side of town if you know what I mean. I get all kinds of things done that arent always the "right way" at shops on "that side of town".

 

[brian2sun]

I've seen used complete rear 4runner axles go on ebay for around $500 pretty often (non-elocked of course).

 

[FrankieV]

looks like i got options......thanks to all!!!

 

[JeremyH]

Are you talking about the upper control arm mount?? The thing that I circled in this picture?

If so, then you definitely need to have that welded back into place (NOT using JB Weld). There is not a reason to buy a new axle. When welding on an axle tube, make small spot welds around the bracket to hold it in place, then weld 1" sections letting it cool between welds. If you heat the housing too much, you run a risk of warping it...

 

[FrankieV]

yes Jeremy thats it.....it appeared to have been done before - maybe JB weld - but now its def a bit rusty.....hopefully I can get it sanded smooth and then weld properly as you suggest? one guy said you can't weld that stuff since its thing/weak metal to begin with? also what is e-locker? and does my '97 have it?

thanks

 

[JeremyH]

Depending on how deep the rust has penetrated the metal, it can or cant be welded (and in some cases, shouldn't). If it is only surface rust, then a wire wheel will take the rust off and you can easily weld the bracket in place. If it is more than surface rust, then you might need to replace the bracket. Either way, take it to a fab shop and they should be able to easily fix the issue (that is, if you don't feel comfortable fixing it yourself).

 

[FrankieV]

ok good stuff thanks again!!!!!

 

[JeremyH]

Not a problem. Getting someone to fix that bracket will be MUCH cheaper than a new rear axle.

BTW, an e-locker is an electronic locking differential.

 

[jsmarine]

It is thin metal, and anyone who says they cant do it, don't let them try! A good welder can do it confidently, like JeremyH said about welding 1" sections at a time, that's called stitch welding. I did the same thing with the bumper I built as not to warp it.

 

[004Gunner]

Broken upper control arm mount? Thats a serious amount of rust. Hopefully you can find somebody to weld that for you. Being that the mount is a suspension link, whoever does the welding is going to need to measure the height of the intact upper control arm mount and make sure that the broken one will sit at the same height and distance.

You may have issues down the road with that amount of rust so I would have someone inspect the entire rear axle and diff for you. It's not uncommmon to have to replace a rear end from rusting out. The early 3rd gens seem more susceptible too

 

[JeremyH]

Broken upper control arm mount? Thats a serious amount of rust.

Since he hasn't shown a picture of his actual truck, we cant say for sure, but the break could have been caused by a number of things (rust, poor factory weld, stress fracture, etc.). These stock arms have bushings at both ends which don't allow for any rotation and can put a LOT of stress on those mounts. I have seen mounts fail like that when rotation of the arm is not allowed. Most folks who wheel their vehicles will run at least one rod end/spherical ball joint on their arms...if not both. The bushings make for a nice soft ride, but wont last long at all.

 

[jay00801]

another bracket welding question...

I have a different yet similar question. My 2003 4R V8 limited had a major issue with a bracket on the rear diff. Where the air shock sits on the axle and where the long control arm? connect, broke off clean on a road trip. Any idea where a new bracket can be found? Other than cannibalizing a similar vehicle and welding it on, can this part be located anywhere? Either my search skills are lacking or a replacement does not exist. Thanks!