Rear axle help

SouthernT4R

SouthernT4R

New member
Let me start by saying that I am by no means a mechanic. I have a 2002 SR5 2WD that has been leaking rear axle fluid for some time now. Being that is my daily driver, I do not really have time to pull rear end out to work on it. Today I went to a local junk yard and pulled a rear end from a 1997 4wd. The truck had been flipped and both hubs were torn off of the axles, so I only brought home the housing along with the differential. My question is, what would be my best option for finding new axle assemblies, and will the new rear work on my 2wd? Any help would be much appreciated.
 
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Use the search bar, alot of info here regarding 3rd gen 4runners and leaking rear axle seals. Not sure of your mechanical abilities but I would recommend shop to do this job because a press is needed to press off the bearing in order to replace the seals.
 
id say you dont need a new housing, unless its rusted through. rear axle seals are common of needing replaced after about every 100K miles.
 
AZTOY said:
Leaking from where? And why do you think you need a new rear end?
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Leaking into the rear drums. I assume the inner seals are bad. I've had them replaced by a shop 3 times, with no good outcome. Each time they started leaking again within the month. Luckily they refunded my money. I'm not sure that I really need the new rear end, I just can't be without my truck right now and I figured I could just build a new rearend and once it's done, install it into the truck on an off day.
 
Rear axle seal are not that hard to replace. Use OEM parts and I'd buy 3 seals just in case you screw one up, and watch multiple YouTube videos on how to do it. Bad seals will eventually soak your rear pads and you'll have to replace those too. If I can do it, anyone can.
 
Another question. I believe that the 2wd and 4wd rear ends are geared differently, can anyone tell me what the difference in the ratios is? I would assume that the 4wd would be geared lower, and with the fact that I'm running 285s, would be the better ratio of the two for what I need. Also, does the 4wd have an auto locker? I'm not a trail rider, but do a little work on a friends farm in my spare time and the locker would very much benefit when I get into some muddy spots.
 
68dave said:
Use the search bar, alot of info here regarding 3rd gen 4runners and leaking rear axle seals. Not sure of your mechanical abilities but I would recommend shop to do this job because a press is needed to press off the bearing in order to replace the seals.
Click to expand...

I've done a lot of research on the problems with these seals. I believe I could probably do the work, with a little help from a friend of mine. I just don't know of a good place to buy the parts I'm needing, that doesn't have outrageous prices.
 
Research is key here. Check out Dr. Coffee's info on this. Helped me out a lot. Especially the grease test, which will tell you if your retainer is in correct position before you put everything back together.:canada:

The position of the inner retainer is absolutely critical to doing the repair properly. It can easily be pressed on too far and will leak again. There's literally only about 2-3mm margin of error on the retainer position.

As far as where to get the parts, there are several good places online Toyota Dealer Phoenix | Arizona New & Used Cars | Phoenix Toyota Service or Toyota Motor Parts - Genuine OEM Parts at Low Prices

If you press all the parts off, you can reuse the outer retainer and the ABS exciter saving you about $50-$60 each axle. Unfortunately, many cut all the parts off, but when you do it that way you have to be careful you don't groove the axle where the inner retainer rests as that will create a channel for oil to sneak under.
 
All the advice given so far, I agree with. Dr. Coffee's write up is very good. You don't need a new axle housing. Like was said already, just sounds like the seals, that everyone is well aware of, is the problem. I researched a lot when mine leaked. I decided to take it to Toyota and have them replace everything on my driver side rear, from the seal out. This way it makes Toyota pay for future leaks. They replaced everything for free when it started leaking again. Hasn't leaked in over 2 years now.

I do most all work on my truck, but decided to bite the bullet this time. It seems like a lot of "shops" don't like doing this work. Probably because they know it is an issue. Good luck!
 
AZTOY said:
I decided to take it to Toyota and have them replace everything on my driver side rear, from the seal out. This way it makes Toyota pay for future leaks.
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Only for the warranty period.... 1 year where I live.

Even the dealers can do this repair wrong; my local dealer had to re-do it five times in six months. I figure they finally decided to do it correctly, 'cause it's been ok for over a year now.
 
pluton said:
Only for the warranty period.... 1 year where I live.

Even the dealers can do this repair wrong; my local dealer had to re-do it five times in six months. I figure they finally decided to do it correctly, 'cause it's been ok for over a year now.
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Yup.
 
I just had this repair done on my son's '98 sr5. the seal had been replaced about a year ago, & leaking again. turns out the right axle had scoring on it. I had the shop replace the right axle which I bought from 1AAuto dot com. right axle was $206 bucks with the bearing & seals. Labor was about another $150 or so. His has 188,000 miles.
 
SouthernT4R said:
Another question. I believe that the 2wd and 4wd rear ends are geared differently,
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Not all 4wd are geared the same and I would assume that not all 2wd are geared the same. I would also imagine that there are a couple of ratios that are found in both drive configurations.

If you like the gears you have currently you need to determine what they are and get the same ratio if you go the route of swapping. In my opinion it's more work than just replacing the seals. Not to mention you can get the seals with little effort and that isn't the case with finding a replacement rear axle.
 
I have 1999 Limited 2wd and 4wd. The 2wd has a lower ratio. On stock tire size, 265/70R16, the 2wd cruises 70 mph at 2000 rpm, the 4wd about 2200 rpm. I really like the 2wd ratio, but I don't know how to tell what it is? I would like to put same ratio in my 4wd if knew what ratio to look for.

If looking for rear end at junk yard, does anyone know if there is an easy way to determine the gear ratio?

Also, you asked about e-lock, but it was not a standard option on 4wd's either.
 
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