rear axle options?

[timatraw]

Just bought 98 4runner for son. He already had a car accident last week. I took car to sloane toyota after someone said rear tire was "wobbling". Dealer said 4runner needs driver side rear axle repaired to the tune of $1500. My question is should I research a better price from a local mechanic? Does this price sound right?
Thanks.
Tim

 

[Mauzer]

I'm assuming they're talking about the driver side rear half shaft? How mechanically inclined are you? And for $1500 you could just replace the whole rear axle which really isn't hard if you have the tools.

 

[410toy]

you should just buy a good used axle for much much less than that. search craigs list also check out yotateh.com they have a great classified section. I have seen 4runner rear ends with the locking diff for sale for 700. easy swap. dealers have to deal with overhead that adds alot to the cost. also check out this place they have axles http://www.yotayard.com/home.htm

 

[Nelsonmd]

I am in the middle of swapping out a rear axle right now and it isn't so bad, but it isn't cake either. I have alot rust that is making it alot worse.

Where are you located? Depending where you are, it may be hard to find a good axle. $1500 for a half axle is alot, but, for a new housing, that is not a bad price (if they do the labor as well). That is probably just for the half axle.

 

[StreetKill831]

Go to toyotapartscheap.com

You can get a new axle housing for about $800 and I'm sure the axle shafts are around $200-400, maybe even less, can't remember. I just checked and for some reason when you go to choose make and model, 4runner doesn't show up. I order from them quite often so I will probably email them soon asking why that's happening, but give it a try. $1500 to replace one axle shaft is ridiculous.

 

[Nelsonmd]

You can get it cheaper than that, but if you are just buying retail, why bother with the housing. Just get an axle shaft, you can get it for about $300 OEM. The advantage of getting the whole axle would to get used and have the whole thing already assembled and not have to redo the seals.