Lost all of my gears?

[jbtvt]

Yeah, with rear driveshaft disconnected I can see that, it would almost have to roll unless park brake on.

A stripped out front diff has the potential to be basically identical to a driveshaft being removed. Comes down to how the center diff behaves if in park and no contact between front or rear wheels, and center diff. In low torque drive situations it behaves like an open diff, but what does it do in park? I don't know enough about the torsen function to say one way or the other, but DS spinning and wheels not turning is a huge red flag for front diff.

 

[thennen]

I’m just going to throw this out there: have you considered getting an opinion from a Toyota dealership?

 

[JTS197]

Old one is out. One CV would not pop out though.

Replacement one is partially in; I am having a hard time getting the breather tube bracket bolted back on. Any one with suggestions on that?

 

[jbtvt]

Going it for it eh? Congrats, looking good! Looks like both CVs are out, just the intermediate shaft? (nm I see boot now, couldn't zoom on phone) If no one who's replaced one of these comes along, might describe what issue you're having with breather tube, and pic would help. Just can't get to a bolt?

Were there metal shavings in the oil?

 

[Captsolo]

Old one is out. One CV would not pop out though.

Replacement one is partially in; I am having a hard time getting the breather tube bracket bolted back on. Any one with suggestions on that?

Looks like good work. How many miles on this 4WD 2003? I have 150,000 miles on SR5 2005 2wD. Owned since new.

Never had a Code triggered in 15 years. Few problems. These 4 runners are tough.

Never seen the part in your 2003. Is it in front wheels?

Bad wheel bearing a few years ago. Tranny and engine have been fine. :thanks:

 

[y=mx+b]

Q:

Looks like good work. How many miles on this 4WD 2003? I have 150,000 miles on SR5 2005 2wD. Owned since new.

A:

Hello all. I had a problem yesterday with my 03 V8 4Runner (165k).

--

Q:

Never had a Code triggered in 15 years. Few problems. These 4 runners are tough.

Never seen the part in your 2003. Is it in front wheels?

A:

Anyways, here the link to the video: Bad Front Diff Video

I've rolled in park before. Unlocked t-case does weird things under the right circumstances with driveshafts or potentially CV's disconnected.

A stripped out front diff has the potential to be basically identical to a driveshaft being removed.

Don't mind me, just directing traffic

As a side note: This thread has been an interesting read, hopefully changing out the front diff fixes the issue. I too am curious about the gear oil condition in the old diff.

 

[rdruss]

So, if you turn the removed front dif input flange the CV that you couldn't get out does not turn?

 

[JTS197]

So, if you turn the removed front dif input flange the CV that you couldn't get out does not turn?

It does turn and so does the other side. I would assume that is normal but if the video I linked showed the drive shaft spinning, I would think there is still something wrong with the front diff?

 

[jbtvt]

Speaking generally, lots of times gears will still turn until they get under load or align just the right way and then they'll slip. Happened to a circ saw we were using, overtaxing, the other week.

I would still have recommended tearing apart the old before replacing, or at least checking oil, but just because the shafts spin with no load on them doesn't tell you much.

 

[importman]

I"m wondering if that axle that won't come out is stripped and damaged where it won't come out. It could have enough contact to turn when you turn the flange by hand with no load, but not enough to move the 4R. And that would also explain why you got the grinding when putting it in park earlier. When you put it in gear that front driveshaft begins to spin and when you go to park it's still spinning because there's nothing to stop it. Thus the grinding.

 

[rdruss]

It does turn and so does the other side. I would assume that is normal but if the video I linked showed the drive shaft spinning, I would think there is still something wrong with the front diff?

We'll all find out once you get ready to drive!

 

[63PGP]

Hopefully your front diff swap corrects the issue.

I don't recall from your posts that you mentioned putting the transmission in low gear, just locking the center differential. If you still experience issues put the transmission in 2nd or Low gear manually. If it works fine in those gears but not in drive you most likely have a transmission issue.

 

[JTS197]

Hopefully your front diff swap corrects the issue.

I don't recall from your posts that you mentioned putting the transmission in low gear, just locking the center differential. If you still experience issues put the transmission in 2nd or Low gear manually. If it works fine in those gears but not in drive you most likely have a transmission issue.

I don't remember mentioning it, but I did try the lower gears when it was happening. It made no difference.

As of now though, I got the new front diff installed and so far so good. I haven't been able to put that many miles on it because of everything going on, so I cannot say, with 100% certainty that it is fixed.

But, I've probably gone about 50 miles on it so far, and up to 65mph with no issues yet (knocks on wood). I am still pretty sure though the front diff was the issue.

I still have to crack open the old diff to see what failed (if I am able to identify the issue).

Thanks everyone for the guidance/directions on this!