Rear Axle Seal replacement? - 3rd Gen

[edough]

Hey guys,

My '99 4Runner is spewing out diff oil out the passenger rear side.

Has anyone done this fix / got a shop to do it?

Looking for some shop recommendations / cost or motivation for diy.

-Also looking for some shop recommendations for welding on some BAMF rock sliders.

Thanks!

 

[Mark_BC]

Enough, edough. There is a good video by mtbtim in DIY videos on how to do this. Search this branch for DIY videos. Also search "rear axle seal replacement"

 

[Unner]

Hey guys,

My '99 4Runner is spewing out diff oil out the passenger rear side.

Has anyone done this fix / got a shop to do it?

Looking for some shop recommendations / cost or motivation for diy.

-Also looking for some shop recommendations for welding on some BAMF rock sliders.

Thanks!

There's a plethora of information on rear axle seals on this forum.

Why not have BAMF weld them on for you. They're in the Bay Area and know how to do it better than anyone else.

 

[FJ40zen]

Depending on where the leak is, ie, the weep hole on the brake backing plate or through the bearing...take heed or you will be tearing it down again. Through the bearing means the seal problem has been around for a while and bearing grease is washed out. You will need to replace it too. Best of luck, hope it is just the seal.

 

[edough]

Thanks guys. Yeah I've crossed the sticky for the rear seal replacement, was just looking for feedback from anyone in the bay that has done it.

Am more curious to hear from people local who have had it done at a shop as I'm leaning that way. It's been leaking a while now.

Depending on where the leak is, ie, the weep hole on the brake backing plate or through the bearing...take heed or you will be tearing it down again. Through the bearing means the seal problem has been around for a while and bearing grease is washed out. You will need to replace it too. Best of luck, hope it is just the seal.

Cheers, thanks FJ40zen

 

[edough]

There's a plethora of information on rear axle seals on this forum.

Why not have BAMF weld them on for you. They're in the Bay Area and know how to do it better than anyone else.

I actually asked Jerry in person and he said they don't install them for customers. I reached out to a nearby shop and they asked for ~$400 to weld them on.

 

[mtbtim]

Hey guys,

My '99 4Runner is spewing out diff oil out the passenger rear side.

Has anyone done this fix / got a shop to do it?

Looking for some shop recommendations / cost or motivation for diy.

-Also looking for some shop recommendations for welding on some BAMF rock sliders.

Thanks!

Where do you live? I'm in San Jose. People have hit me up for help for this repair many many times and at first I was turning them down but now I'm offering to do the job for $200. This includes the whole job. I'll help you pull the axles, do all the press work, do the rear brakes and put it all back together. If we don't run into any snags, it takes around 4 hours. You of course have to supply the parts. In regards to the parts, you can save money by reusing both retainers on each axle and reusing the ABS gear on each axle. I pull off the parts rather than cut them off. Read the video description below and you'll understand how we can reuse the retainers.
[MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I will work for free if it means making a new video, but when it comes to doing free work for total strangers, I couldn't see myself doing that, at least not at first. If I like wrenching with you and we become friends, then future work will be for free if I have the time to help you.

I think you'll find $200 is a steal for this job in the Bay Area.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AVhSDnw2ugo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[mtbtim]

I actually asked Jerry in person and he said they don't install them for customers. I reached out to a nearby shop and they asked for ~$400 to weld them on.

[MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I know of two good welders. One in Santa Cruz and one in Santa Clara.

 

[catrains]

on this old truck with the seal leak IMO replace the seals and wheel bearings both and make damn sure the axle seal area metal surface is not damaged ....also get new or test that the diff venting is working ..

 

[Link12]

I generally only use OEM parts but on this I ordered this kit and it is working great so far.
https://m.ebay.com/itm/NSK-REAR-WHE...-W-ABS-PAIR-/142156666888?txnId=1447945608004

 

[HiLife]

I think you'll find $200 is a steal for this job in the Bay Area.

Op, the best mechanic to work on our rigs are the ones who have a passion for 1996 to 2002 4Runners. Sure, other mechanics are able to do the rear bearing job with the correct tools.
There's something along on another level if the person who's wrenching also love's 1996-02 4Runners.
If I was near Tim's area I would be asking him for help as I too need to replace mines.

 

[edough]

Where do you live? I'm in San Jose. People have hit me up for help for this repair many many times and at first I was turning them down but now I'm offering to do the job for $200. This includes the whole job. I'll help you pull the axles, do all the press work, do the rear brakes and put it all back together. If we don't run into any snags, it takes around 4 hours. You of course have to supply the parts. In regards to the parts, you can save money by reusing both retainers on each axle and reusing the ABS gear on each axle. I pull off the parts rather than cut them off. Read the video description below and you'll understand how we can reuse the retainers.

[MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I will work for free if it means making a new video, but when it comes to doing free work for total strangers, I couldn't see myself doing that, at least not at first. If I like wrenching with you and we become friends, then future work will be for free if I have the time to help you.

I think you'll find $200 is a steal for this job in the Bay Area.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AVhSDnw2ugo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That would be rad! I have some of the parts but I'll dig a little deeper and I'll PM you back.

Cheers!

 

[yakobo75]

Just had this done last week on my 01...my local independent shop charged $580 for seals/bearing/labor....i thought it was pricey but getting too dang cold to work on my truck outside (WI) and i'm in the process of moving so no garage space.

 

[01thunder]

Where do you live? I'm in San Jose. People have hit me up for help for this repair many many times and at first I was turning them down but now I'm offering to do the job for $200. This includes the whole job. I'll help you pull the axles, do all the press work, do the rear brakes and put it all back together. If we don't run into any snags, it takes around 4 hours. You of course have to supply the parts. In regards to the parts, you can save money by reusing both retainers on each axle and reusing the ABS gear on each axle. I pull off the parts rather than cut them off. Read the video description below and you'll understand how we can reuse the retainers.

[MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I will work for free if it means making a new video, but when it comes to doing free work for total strangers, I couldn't see myself doing that, at least not at first. If I like wrenching with you and we become friends, then future work will be for free if I have the time to help you.

I think you'll find $200 is a steal for this job in the Bay Area.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AVhSDnw2ugo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

good stuff! i'm buying the rest of the tools and doing this myself. charge for the job to pay for my tools!

 

[Mudeprived]

Just had this done last week on my 01...my local independent shop charged $580 for seals/bearing/labor....i thought it was pricey but getting too dang cold to work on my truck outside (WI) and i'm in the process of moving so no garage space.

Toyota is doing mine (bearing, retainers, seals, etc) for $380 tomorrow morning.

I asked them if they knew of any issues with the redesigned axle seal and they said no and never had anyone return with a leak after they replaced the seals. I've read countless threads and stories on here of people who have leaks after replacing the seal a few times because of the redesigned seal is not riding on the retainer properly. I wonder if Toyota is aware of this and adjusted their installation method to counter this or is there something I am missing?

I replaced my seal twice and my bearing is fine, yet it leaks.

 

[mtbtim]

Toyota is doing mine (bearing, retainers, seals, etc) for $380 tomorrow morning.

I asked them if they knew of any issues with the redesigned axle seal and they said no and never had anyone return with a leak after they replaced the seals. I've read countless threads and stories on here of people who have leaks after replacing the seal a few times because of the redesigned seal is not riding on the retainer properly. I wonder if Toyota is aware of this and adjusted their installation method to counter this or is there something I am missing?

I replaced my seal twice and my bearing is fine, yet it leaks.

What a freaking difference between location in the US. In the California Bay Area, this repair including the rear brakes is $1500 if you bring them the vehicle and they do the whole job.

Is $380 parts and labor to do the whole job for you or are you bringing them the axles?

 

[mtbtim]

Just had this done last week on my 01...my local independent shop charged $580 for seals/bearing/labor....i thought it was pricey but getting too dang cold to work on my truck outside (WI) and i'm in the process of moving so no garage space.

That is an incredible price. Like I said above, this job ran me $1500 at my local dealer in San Jose but it included the rear brakes. The labor rate at Stevens Creek Toyota is $150/hr. I think they charged me 6+ hours labor. What a freaking ripoff. I've been redeeming myself by doing this repair multiple times. I've now done this job 4 times.

 

[Unner]

I actually asked Jerry in person and he said they don't install them for customers. I reached out to a nearby shop and they asked for ~$400 to weld them on.

Interesting. I'm pretty sure they used to do them. I'd get a recommendation for a local guy from someone on the forums. They should be a lot cheaper than $400. That's what I was quoted from a local shop here too, and is why I went bolt on...

 

[edough]

Interesting. I'm pretty sure they used to do them. I'd get a recommendation for a local guy from someone on the forums. They should be a lot cheaper than $400. That's what I was quoted from a local shop here too, and is why I went bolt on...

Yeah it's odd because I saw on a forum post he said that they would weld them on when they have time available.

At any rate, it's alright. Sounds like there are some local guys that can help.

Cheers,

 

[2ndhandyotaman]

Toyota is doing mine (bearing, retainers, seals, etc) for $380 tomorrow morning.

Is that per side? Just curious as I just did this job myself 3 weeks ago, a friend that is a service writer at a local dealership got me the parts at the employee pricing and I was still right around $300 just in bearings, retainers, tone rings and seals.