Front Drive axle replacement 90 4Rnr

[prowler]

Hi All, I am putting yet another pile of money in to my money pit, and looking to do the work myself. Has anybody replaced one of the front drive axles on a 1990 4runner before, and if so, how much of the front hub assembly has to come apart? I have read in the manual, but it is a little vague. It seems as though I only need to pop off the hub cover, and remove the retaining clip, and then undo flange to axle bolts, and it should slide right out. If so, piece of cake, but IM hesitant, thinking it must be more involved than this...
Auto Hubs, V6..

 

[n8buddy]

if by auto hubs you mean automatic disconnecting differential (ADD) then the hubs are the easy part; however they rarely 'slides right out'. after undoing the 6 nuts on the other end of the shaft you will have to disconnect the sway bar link and jack up the opposite rear tire to get it out. then the new shaft is a pain to get in b/c the joints are tighter and you have to be more careful with it. but what you explained is all that has to be done in the hub itself.

 

[prowler]

Thanks N8 I tried to tackle it this morning, but couldnt get the hub removed, so thought, "well lets try the 6 bolts on the coupling to the front diff" and couldnt budge ANY of those, so its off to the shop I guess.

 

[n8buddy]

ya an impact wrench goes a long way with those 6 bolts

 

[03vrod]

long breaker bars or a piece of pipe over a breaker bar..We check the torque of semi wheels by hand and they're 450 foot pounds.You can do it.An impact is easier this was just to let you know in case you don't have access to one.

 

[prowler]

Turned out not to be the drive axle at all, kind of. It was the bushings inside the spindle where the drive axle goes thru. They were shot. Quick replace, and back on the road. Feeeeeeew!!!!

 

[03vrod]

prowler glad you're back up and running.