Front Differential Bearing ?

[pb24]

2000 4Runner 4X4. I removd the front skid pans to clean them and started to grab things and i noticed that their is a lot of play on the drivers side front axle hub that goes into the differential. I'm guessing maybe a bad bearing? Any input would be helpful. Thanks

 

[pb24]

any one?

 

[97-4xFunner]

What sort of direction is the play? I believe it's ok if it moves in and out of the diff a little. If it moves up, down, or side to side it may be an issue.

 

[Singtoe]

2000 4Runner 4X4. I removd the front skid pans to clean them and started to grab things and i noticed that their is a lot of play on the drivers side front axle hub that goes into the differential. I'm guessing maybe a bad bearing? Any input would be helpful. Thanks

Does it make any noise when you drive it. Does it make any when you drive it in 4x4? If there is, then the diff is shot. Is there play on the other side too?

 

[pb24]

The play is side to side and up and down and their is no noise associated with it. Where the two half's of the differential come together their is some silicone sticking out, Maybe its been apart before. The passenger side does also have some play but not has much.

 

[brian2sun]

If there is a lot of rotational play in the CV, it's probably just a worn out CV. If that entire "hub" piece moves up/down/sideways that's not good. I had about 1/2" - 3/4" rotational play in my CV and replaced it under warranty and no problems now.

 

[pb24]

The play is in the hub that the CV joint bolts into. So is it a bearing that is worn or something else. If i pull out the front diff whats involved fixing it. Is it common for a rig that has 103000 thousand miles on it.

 

[brian2sun]

The CV doesn't bolt into a hub (at least you don't separate that part), it's just a snap-in ring where it goes into the diff. That hub is part of the CV assembly. You'd hear a bad bearing. It's not a bad idea to drain the oil and check for metal chunks and/or big shavings, but if you replace the CV the new one will come pre-attached to a new hub.

 

[pb24]

Thanks thats good info.I a little confused on how the hub is attached to the diff. Its just a snap ring? How do you get to it? I need to look at my repair manual maybe i just have a bad CV joint.

 

[brian2sun]

you just pop that hub out of the diff with a crow bar and push the new one back in until it snaps. Is it rotational play you have though?

 

[pb24]

I don't think its what you are calling rotational play. It does not move back and forth it moves up and down and side to side where the CV joint and the hub join together.