Help with front diff/cv shaft problem!

[Ayydee]

Hi, I have an 04 4Runner v8 4wd sr5 that just broke down. I knew it needed a cv shaft, it just started knocking the other day so I was prepared to change them very soon. Today it broke down on me in a parking lot. It started knocking again, then a grinding sound and it stopped moving in drive. Step on the gas, engine revs but wont move. I parked it, get home and notice a fresh puddle right around the front diff area. Any idea how bad I jacked it up? Why wouldnt the vehicle still use the rear wheels to drive it? Thanks for any tips or help!

 

[ARunner]

If you break your front axle the truck will not receive any of the power to the rear unless you lock the center diff. Now, why its leaking oil is odd. Unless it's axle grease that leaked out of a torn boot, I'm not sure why you'd have any drips due to this. From where it is parked, assuming the failure is just a cv, you could lock the center diff and drive it home if it isn't too fad. I have never tried this, but in principal I'm not sure why it wouldn't work. Be sure and inspect what's going on under there befores you attempt. If you're really dripping diff fluid, that sounds more serious. If you somehow broke the front diff or something, I wouldn't drive it.

 

[kacper]

Hopefully gears inside the diff aren't broke.
If your cv messed up your diff you need to be prepare for diff rebulid or replace. Next time when you hear bad noises from your driveline just fix it right away. I did my CV by myself and took me about 4 hours
easy repair

Imo your diff is garbage now

 

[Ayydee]

The shop that inspected it said the cv shaft worked its way completely out of the front differential. The only cause they can see is the control arm bushings are shot, and all the extra play gave it enough room to work itself out. I already had the new cv shaft so not as bad as I was ready for! I ordered the energy suspension black bushings for the control arms as well.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

The shop that inspected it said the cv shaft worked its way completely out of the front differential. The only cause they can see is the control arm bushings are shot, and all the extra play gave it enough room to work itself out. I already had the new cv shaft so not as bad as I was ready for! I ordered the energy suspension black bushings for the control arms as well.

That is very odd... I don't know if the bushings would allow THAT much play for the entire shaft to pop out..

 

[Ayydee]

I thought so too, but I can't think of anything else. I'm just glad the front diff isn't destroyed. It does have 180k+ miles on it, so I wouldn't be surprised if there were a few other suspension components that were worn out.