Rear axle seals, bearings, and brakes

[DK327]

What are these guys going to charge you for all that work? That sounds very expensive. I know in the California Bay Area, that would be over $1000 in labor for sure. Probably $1500.

Thanks for that explanation, it definitely makes sense and I've seen enough replies on that original thread plus your videos to know it's definitely a good solution! Regarding the cost, I was quoted $950 for labor and $450 in all OEM parts and since my tax return was burning a hole in my pocket, I'll go ahead and get it done and (hopefully) not worry about it for another 100K miles.

Just so you know, I would have totally had you handle this job, with me doing the grunt work while I learned if I lived near your neck of the woods and still would have paid you the same I'd be paying this shop. Your videos are a HUGE service to this community and are priceless so it would also be for all that work, to show my gratitude. I just don't want to get stuck in the thick of it, which is totally how it would go down, and not have the proper tools or the know-how to complete successfully and/or have it take days and weeks!

I've learned so much on this forum but some jobs I'm still leaving to the pro's!

 

[Drcoffee]

I'm not denying your fix was genius and has helped a ton of people including me. There's just a lot more to this repair than pulling the axles and trusting a shop to get the press work right. I think knowing how to do the job A to Z on your own and understanding all the little nuances of the repair make you an expert.

And since we're on the subject, I reckon the videos Sean and I made for this repair may as well live in this thread too. Somebody you mentioned loves that fact I post our videos all over the place so I figured I wouldn't fail them by not posting here as well.

Hi Tim,

You know I am just razzing you right? You have always given credit where its due and I respect you for that and taking time to help the hapless. Thankfully I havent had to deal with the axle seals again. Had an episode last winter where the rear brakes would freeze and lock up. The truck being two states away, I had to let a mechanic work on it. He claimed the seals were leaking and quoted the job. I told him in no uncertain terms not to touch the seals or axles. I told him to back off the shoes and make sure the parking brake was retracting. It fixed the problem. I told him to disconnect the parking brake, but he would not do it. A week later I was able to check it out. The parking brake levers were rusted and hanging. So they were partially engauged. They heated up and locked. So I snipped the cable and removed the problem. I dont trust mechanics at all. A bunch of theives. My seals were just fine and still are.

As for your buddy bigminnow, it doesnt surprize me he likes videos with the penis pictures, so kudos. Its just not my cup of tea.

 

[mtbtim]

Not true. When I did my seals I did the grease test to be sure but I placed my retainer based on the measurements I took, and it was bang on first try based on my calculations.

I didn't have the correct equipment to measure per the FSM, but if you measure from a datum like the flange, not just the edge of the machined area, then you can be sure of correct placement as long as you remember to compensate for the 2mm difference in the seal design.

The old design required a lead in for assembly. Hence the chamfer on the retainer. On the new design, the chamfer is not required as the seal has the lead in instead. Smart move on Toyota's part because they don't have the added cost of the chamfer on the retaining ring. Dumb move that they didn't seem to tell anyone about it.

For the minimal extra effort and peace of mind, I do think it's worth it to do the test though. Grease test also confirms that the seal is in straight, which might not be caught depending how you measure.

I guess I should have clarified what I was getting at with the measuring. The problem is mechanics blindly following the FSM specs and not understanding that the seal was redesigned. So, they place the inner retainer just by following the measurements but never confirmed the placement was good. If they would have performed a grease test, they would have found out the seal was barely riding on the polished shoulder and then maybe started trying to figure out why the mating was so poor. I believe there are tons of mechanics out there that have no idea the seal was redesigned. It's this simple fact why so many of these repairs fail.

Like you mentioned, a grease test will also help someone confirm if they got the seal in correctly and didn't damage it by creasing it driving the seal lip even further inboard.

 

[mtbtim]

Hi Tim,

You know I am just razzing you right? You have always given credit where its due and I respect you for that and taking time to help the hapless. Thankfully I havent had to deal with the axle seals again. Had an episode last winter where the rear brakes would freeze and lock up. The truck being two states away, I had to let a mechanic work on it. He claimed the seals were leaking and quoted the job. I told him in no uncertain terms not to touch the seals or axles. I told him to back off the shoes and make sure the parking brake was retracting. It fixed the problem. I told him to disconnect the parking brake, but he would not do it. A week later I was able to check it out. The parking brake levers were rusted and hanging. So they were partially engauged. They heated up and locked. So I snipped the cable and removed the problem. I dont trust mechanics at all. A bunch of theives. My seals were just fine and still are.

As for your buddy bigminnow, it doesnt surprize me he likes videos with the penis pictures, so kudos. Its just not my cup of tea.

Well, you and I have something in common and that's the fact our buddy doesn't care for either of us. He has a problem with me posting our videos too much. How dare I try to make our videos easier for people to find. Maybe I didn't pay proper homage to the king of write-ups before going about making videos with Sean. Well, you know what they say. You can't please everyone.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

[MENTION=78997]Drcoffee[/MENTION] and [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION]

So which one of you is the pitcher, and which one is the catcher? Or do you guys switch off?

 

[mtbtim]

[MENTION=78997]Drcoffee[/MENTION] and [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION]

So which one of you is the pitcher, and which one is the catcher? Or do you guys switch off?

You have to know, after you showed what a douche you really are, my name for you is EDAD. Stands for EATS D*CKS All DAY. I realize you've earned a lot of forum cred with people because of your write-ups. I actually had a very high opinion of you when I started contributing to this forum. Unfortunately, you finally showed your true colors to me and others that have read the exchanges between you and I. Don't go away mad EDAD, just go away.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

You have to know, after you showed what a douche you really are, my name for you is EDAD. Stands for EATS D*CKS All DAY. I realize you've earned a lot of forum cred with people because of your write-ups. I actually had a very high opinion of you when I started contributing to this forum. Unfortunately, you finally showed your true colors to me and others that have read the exchanges between you and I. Don't go away mad EDAD, just go away.

True colors? Maybe you should run and grab a mirror. The comments from, and exchange between, you and coffee in this thread has revealed more about your own characters than anything else.

My exchanges with both of you have been thoughtful, without attack, and worded in plain, respectful English. We agreed to disagree. I'm sorry it hurt both of your feelings.

Granted, I did get sucked into your foul mouthed playground name calling this time around to a small degree, but I'm done. This is a family forum. I hope you guys really get after it and break out your big guns so you can both get banned. Coffee has been the one and only guy on my ignore list for years, and it would be nice to have that list empty again.

 

[mtbtim]

True colors? Maybe you should run and grab a mirror. The comments from, and exchange between, you and coffee in this thread has revealed more about your own characters than anything else.

My exchanges with both of you have been thoughtful, without attack, and worded in plain, respectful English. We agreed to disagree. I'm sorry it hurt both of your feelings.

Granted, I did get sucked into your foul mouthed playground name calling this time around to a small degree, but I'm done. This is a family forum. I hope you guys really get after it and break out your big guns so you can both get banned. Coffee has been the one and only guy on my ignore list for years, and it would be nice to have that list empty again.

Dude, you are anything from innocent. Just remember pal, you drew first blood. I would have been completely civil to you if you weren't a dick to me first. One thing you'll have to understand about me is I don't let people walk all over me. So please, stop with the feigned surprise of how I'm talking to you. I can't speak for Dr Coffee, but you've definitely earned the way I'm treating you.

I will promise to do my level best to ignore you. Dr Coffee brought your name up and I guess I couldn't resist a comment. So, I guess sorry for that.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Dude, you are anything from innocent. Just remember pal, you drew first blood. I would have been completely civil to you if you weren't a dick to me first. One thing you'll have to understand about me is I don't let people walk all over me. So please, stop with the feigned surprise of how I'm talking to you. I can't speak for Dr Coffee, but you've definitely earned the way I'm treating you.

I will promise to do my level best to ignore you. Dr Coffee brought your name up and I guess I couldn't resist a comment. So, I guess sorry for that.

There is no case to prove against me, the proof is in the posts. My exchanges with you:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/248502-burned-doorman-lower-control-arms.html#post2869672

And with coffee:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...olution-leaking-axle-seals-2.html#post1312133

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...replacement-thread-3rd-gen-4.html#post1009405

All three instances are exactly as I stated above. The only thing I've done is have an opinion that doesn't line up with yours. You both got upset and here you guys are having a little "hate on BFAD" party because your feelings are still hurt.

 

[Drcoffee]

Top of the morning to everyone.

Mods, it looks like bigminnow has taken this thread off topic. Again..

 

[momo.75]

ok children, that is quite enough. first/last warning.

 

[JZiggy]

In summary: run a grease test so you know for sure that things are going to seal properly.
Other factors could have changed that the FSM can't tell you about so check it for yourself.

 

[Scramble]

:flamewar:

 

[Mark_BC]

:flamewar:

opcorn:

 

[mtbtim]

opcorn:

Alright, show's over. Y'all go home now, ya here.

 

[JZiggy]

:flamewar:

The guy in the picture is making the wrong signs :flipoff:

I think all these apply too

:rockthrow: :fencing:
:vader: :boxing:
:fish:

Some of us are over here like

:cheer2:
:banana: :der:

Ok, I'm done!

:banplease:

 

[octanejunkie]

 

[Scramble]

The guy in the picture is making the wrong signs :flipoff:

I think all these apply too

:rockthrow: :fencing:
:vader: :boxing:
:fish:

Some of us are over here like

:cheer2:
:banana: :der:

Ok, I'm done!

:banplease:

:lol:

The guy in the pic is me from 2005 when I followed Judas Priest around the Northeast in the Metallica Truck. I'm a Metalhead (hence the Motorhead shirt) so the horns are correct. Someone made that meme on the Judas Priest forum when we were all meeting up for shows. Seen 8 shows in about 12 days. There's pics in my build thread. Since it's got my 3RZ in it I use it on this forum once in a while. :bigok:

:rockon: :rockon: :evil: :evil:

:guitar2::guitar2::guitar3::guitar3:

 

[octanejunkie]

:lol:

The guy in the pic is me from 2005 when I followed Judas Priest around the Northeast in the Metallica Truck. I'm a Metalhead (hence the Motorhead shirt) so the horns are correct. Someone made that meme on the Judas Priest forum when we were all meeting up for shows. Seen 8 shows in about 12 days. There's pics in my build thread. Since it's got my 3RZ in it I use it on this forum once in a while. :bigok:

:rockon: :rockon: :evil: :evil:

:guitar2::guitar2::guitar3::guitar3:

You're always a poser to me

 

[gamefreakgc]

I don't understand flame wars on a forum. Not like you're ever going to meet the person, just ignore and move on...

Kudos to those actually trying to bring this thread back on topic by posting relevant rear axle seal information.