On vacation, need reliable shop in Corpus Christi, TX

[papabeach]

As luck would have it, I developed a major oil leak in my front diff. I am on a family vacation near Corpus Christi, TX. I took all my tools out to make room for kid stuff. Does anyone know a reliable shop aroumd here?

Background:
I regeared a few months back and subsequently had a slow leak at that time. It was coming from the drivers side. I narrowed it down to what I thought was a bad oil seal and had it replaced by the same shop that did the install. All seemed fine until now. I am not sure what is going on and can't even look around d/t shrockworks skids being in the way and again...no tools to drop them.

I am regretting not doing the job myself the first time!!! If it isn't a bad oil seal I am not sure what else it would be...nor why it would start now. It hasn't seen any off road use recently and I have only had it in 4x4 a few times just to keep the 4x4 system working.

Options:

1) go to local auto store buy more gear oil and some basic tools and refill diff and hope I make it home (3hr on highway) without causing major damage/running out of oil . Then troubleshoot and fix myself or take to different shop? I have enough skills to do the work...just not sure I have the time right now...couple business trips in the next two weeks and two little kids at home that need a lot of attention...this is my DD. I do have a backup but it is at home and we are not there.

2) find a shop in the area and let them do everything. I found a Toyota stealerrship nearby but that is going to hurt $$$.

3) have 4Runner towed back to San Antonio and worked on there by me or whomever...also $$$.

I am need of some advice, suggestions. Leaning toward the stealerrship and getting a rental as way to get quality work and still salvage time with the family...we are here until Monday. If I spend this vacation wrenching my wife is going to be pissed but I might just have to deal with that.

I appreciate any suggestions/help.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I would think taking it to a local shop at 8am Saturday would be the best initial option.

They should be able to put it on the lift, remove the skids and diagnose it for ~ $50.

Since you can do this kind of work yourself I doubt you'll want to pay dealer prices for the repair. They may quote you $2,000. Who knows. It could be something you could do with a budy for $300.

Renting a tow pickup and dolly to go 300 miles might not be a bad idea either. You'll have to say you're going to go tow a corolla. The 4Runner is far out of uhauls weight specs.

 

[99Runnr]

Towing it is the easiest probably if your able to turn your own wrenches.

If you pay $100 for an inspection (lot's of places charge that or more around here), and they're incompetent or see an easy buck, you wasted what it would cost to tow it back before you know it. Plus expedited labor is NEVER cheap.

I was able to rent a truck to tow and dolly ~200 miles for $130ish if I recall when my shitty diesel automatic died. VERY good point made, tell them that you're towing something compact and LIGHT. Uhaul are sticklers for finding reasons your vehicle is over weight for their dolly or some reason you can't use the equipment, just don't give them anything to build a case on.

 

[jgue467]

I have a friend who lives in cc, want me to wake them for an answer?

Guessing you can't drive it in 2wd safely?

 

[BrianSD_42]

Be sure to drop the driveshaft if you are using a dolly. You must do this on any 3rd gen. if you put the front wheels on a dolly.

 

[papabeach]

Through a fellow member on a local offroad forum (central Texas offroad) I got the hookup of the century from the local dealership. Long story short I was out the door for less than a Uhaul rental and the work was done and warranted.

Driver side axle shaft freely moving in and out, bent snap ring, mangeled oil seal, big oil leak! oil seal looked like the prior shop just closed their eyes and hit it with whatever they had nearby, tattered, torn and lopsided (granted some of that might have occurred on removal today).

Thanks for all the comments! learned my lesson...never choose convenience over doing your own work unless you absolutely have to. Turns out a regear is not an absolute, I wansjust flat out lazy and paid for it now.