Noise from under rear of vehicle after parking (PHOTOS)

T

T4R2K

New member
All -

First post, great forum here. I have an '02 4Runner used in the Northeast with a questionable rear differential. One place said I needed the rear axle replaced to pass inspection, but it passed elsewhere with a good mechanic and another mechanic felt it was fine too. Though I think the consensus was to keep an eye on it.

A few days ago the 4Runner started making noise on the underside in the rear immediately after my wife would park it. I didn't know what the cause could be as I'm not a car guy, but when I looked underneath it seems the differential is now leaky, and could be a serious problem. I'm concerned to have her drive it, but fear thou$ands in repairs for a new rear axle. FYI I have no garage or repair abilities so DIY isn't an option. I believe it's a (edit) 4.10 ratio.

Wondering if I should sell this vehicle since it's just had a repair and inspection and is good until the end of 2014. I just had to replace the exhaust system due to a leak which set me back $500. Any advice, tips, etc are appreciated, please see the photos below. Thanks in advance!

PHOTOS: T4R - Imgur
 
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Jeez that's rusty!

Seems like your axle is perforated from the rust and is leaking gear oil.

You could weld it back together but a replacement axle would be the much better option. Check your frame to see how rusty that is, my bet is that your frame is shot as well.

By the way you most likely have 4.10 gears not 3.10

-Brian
 
Well to do this wright it is not going to be cheap that is for sure.

I'm not sure if the rust has eat all the way through but I'm guessing so because there seems to be no damage to it.

In all honesty I would look at doing a swap from another truck. It might be faster and cheaper if you are going to keep this 4Runner.

Might want to see if there is a part out close to your area from one of the other members. Not sure what state you are in but I'm guessing the North East by the look of the frame and the amount of rust.

Blue
 
Guys, thanks for confirming my fears. Yeah, I'm in PA and I guess winters were rough on this (I'm the second owner, have only had it 5 years).

Looks like we may be getting a new(er) Camry or something... really don't NEED an SUV, and prices of newer used models blow me away.
 
T4R2K said:
Guys, thanks for confirming my fears. Yeah, I'm in PA and I guess winters were rough on this (I'm the second owner, have only had it 5 years).

Looks like we may be getting a new(er) Camry or something... really don't NEED an SUV, and prices of newer used models blow me away.
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Where in PA are you located? I am also from PA. Lehigh Valley area.
 
I'd just swap the axle out, cheap and easy. You have some really bad rust under there... x2 on checking for frame rot. Good luck trying to sell it if you decide to, the underside of your truck looks like hell.
 
Swimmerboy2112 said:
haha that's not too far from me. I need another car like I need a hole in my head, but I could surely help you fix it.
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Any idea how we'd track down a rear axle? I'm not a junkyard guy, and we'd need something 10 years old without much rust. Could be hard with all the crap they throw on our roads!
 
downpour11 said:
I'd just swap the axle out, cheap and easy. You have some really bad rust under there... x2 on checking for frame rot. Good luck trying to sell it if you decide to, the underside of your truck looks like hell.
Click to expand...

Where do you guys source your axles? :) $500 on ebay, but maybe hundreds to ship? Also, I'd have no clue and 4-8 hours of labor I'd be out a ton of cash.

Also, about the frame, I thought that was actually in pretty good shape if I remember, but this thing has seen a few mechanics lately. It was just the differential/rear part if I recall that seemed rusted out.
 
There were 2 3rd gen 4Runners both with rear axles when I went to the junkyard about a month ago. Should still be there.

No diffs, they get pulled as soon as they come in (hot item). BUT your diff should work great assuming that it wasn't damaged by running it low on fluid.
 
Honestly, I've never seen an exla rusted this much. I would even think twice to slide under the truck to take a picture of it. Check your chassis too. If it is rusted, sell the 4runner.
 
T4R2K said:
Where do you guys source your axles? :) $500 on ebay, but maybe hundreds to ship? Also, I'd have no clue and 4-8 hours of labor I'd be out a ton of cash.

Also, about the frame, I thought that was actually in pretty good shape if I remember, but this thing has seen a few mechanics lately. It was just the differential/rear part if I recall that seemed rusted out.
Click to expand...

Look for a toyota part out on craigslist, check out some junkyards, shouldn't be too hard. Just gotta find one in a 4.10 ratio, which is most common in these.
 
T4R2K said:
All -


A few days ago the 4Runner started making noise on the underside in the rear immediately after my wife would park it. I didn't know what the cause could be...... ]
Click to expand...

I've had a very similar problem on my '02 2WD. Major difference my axle/rear end housing isn't a rusted mess like yours. Yikes!
I took off the rear drums and inspected but couldn't find any brake issue as a local shop had suggested. Then while it was on the lift I turned the right side hub back and forth and had 3/4 in. or so of play. This would sure cause a "clunking noise", but after rotating the hub some more; forward and backward I couldn't get it to repeat the slack condition. A friend who was there wasn't much help on what would cause that to happen just once and not repeat.
I don't know if it's the same thing for both of us but when I checked the dif. fluid level. It was a couple of ounces low. I've topped it up and have had the problem reoccur only once.
Any other ideas besides a rust problem?
 
with that much rust on the rear axle, I would bet the rest of the underside is pretty bad too. Honestly, i'd trade it/scrap it and start over with something else. sorry
 
I guess I'm the only one who thinks that's not a bad leak at all. What *I* would do would be clean rust from the affected area with a wire brush, then buy a few tubes of JB weld. Mix that stuff up and smear it all over the pumpkin back there. It's a Band-Aid fix, but it'll probably hold for some time.
 
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