Rear Axle Seals: The Ultimate Information and Replacement Thread (3rd gen)

[BigFishAllDay]

Due to heavy use of this write-up, along with others that I have posted, the bandwidth limit on my photobucket account has been exceeded.

The bandwidth on my account resets on the 7th of every month, so the pictures won't be back until July 7th.

The only way around that is to upgrade my photobucket account to a PAID account rather than a FREE account. I strongly dislike the new photobucket site layout, so I have no intentions of paying for an account myself.

BFAD, any chance you can get the photos working again for this thread? I need to get this done and the pictures will be really helpful.

See my reply, quoted above, from a couple posts back...

BUT... I owe you one man, so I went ahead and paid to have the account upgraded. That should get the pictures re-activated here shortly... Now go bust it out!

Hopefully this will stop all the PM's I've been getting, too. I never realized how many people are using these write-ups until the pictures stopped working and the PM's started rolling in.

 

[SCRunner12]

See my reply, quoted above, from a couple posts back...

BUT... I owe you one man, so I went ahead and paid to have the account upgraded. That should get the pictures re-activated here shortly... Now go bust it out!

Hopefully this will stop all the PM's I've been getting, too. I never realized how many people are using these write-ups until the pictures stopped working and the PM's started rolling in.

Bah, sorry I didn't see that. I looked at this thread last on the 26th and didn't read the new posts since then before posting. You really didn't need to do that, but obviously it's much appreciated. I'm hoping I can get the parts tonight or tomorrow and get it done this week before my trip. You're the man!

 

[OrangeTexan]

Has anyone with a FACTORY e-locker lost their axle seals? Among my friends, those of us with the e-locker haven't had a problem while those without have.

Mine is a factory e-locker.

 

[NOLA504]

I just noticed some leakage coming from my rear axle today.

I did a little searching and found this awesome thread. It's exactly the problem I have. I jotted down the part names and numbers as posted and then road down to the dealership and got my parts at "shop discount". Well, actually the first dealership I went too didn't want to give me the "shop discount" they were trying to charge me $530 for all the parts. So I went to another Toyota dealership on other side of town and they were more than happy to give me the discount, only charged me $356 for everything! Thanks for posting this thread! I definitely saved a lot of time and money!

 

[Mel0]

BigFish, Your writeup is awesome and will be a huge help for me when I take on this project. Like you did, I plan to change out the brake shoes since they are soaked in oil but I'm not having much luck finding the part number for a genuine toyota set. If you can provide the part number it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[krenaud33]

The 20 ton press was $200 at harbor freight.

Anyone know if you need a 20 ton press or would a 10 or 12 ton press work?

 

[OrangeTexan]

They would probably work but might require a bit more effort on your part. I bought the 20 ton because they are typically built a little more sturdy and taller than the lower rated frames. The difference in height comes in handy when you are trying to press everything back in. I am not sure if a shorter frame would work as nicely, since I probably only had like 3 inches to spare when pressing the bearing, retainer, and abs ring back in. Also the price difference was beans to go up to the 20-ton and it was an H frame, which I really liked. The A frames are OK but an H frame allows more room for you to get whatever you are pressing situated on the press. Remember you will have to press the axle and bearing back into the backing plate/hub assembly, which will take some room to maneuver into the press and fixtures you are using. It really comes down to preference and the extra convenience that the 20 ton offers.

 

[01thunder]

well, i have this going on now! and unemployed to boot! is it necessary to get toyota parts? that will save me some cash it not.

 

[wjamyers]

I just completed this job, according to these instructions, bearings, seals, and brakes. I used Fairfax Auto Parts/Napa machine shop for bearings etc. They knew enough to tell me to bring all the exciters, retainers, clips, etc. The double-checked I had all the parts. $180.00 with a two hour turnaround!

I'm not completely certain that I got the seals as deep as the ones that were in there but I was pounding the snot out of them and didn't want to smash them (which I did with an extra one, the previous time I did just the left seal which failed within months). I think they were well clear of the ABS sensor and squared up so... Test drive indicates ABS functions as expected, it brakes in a straight line and rolls freely. I tried to get it loose on wet roads with leaves, seems to handling very nicely.

BTW, IMO the brake spring tool I bought:
OEM 25000 Brake Spring Pliers - Amazon.com

Ended up being useless for 1999 rear brakes. I had better luck using a screwdriver and vice grips to get the spring in and out.

This Brake Spring Washer Tool is money, however:
OEM 25056 Brake Spring Washer Tool - Amazon.com

I also got the craftsman brake adjusting spoon and I like it. Much easier than using a screwdriver.
Sears.com

Hopefully after buying all of these tools I won't have to touch them again for 150 thousand miles.

I'll report back how my seals hold up.

 

[wjamyers]

well, i have this going on now! and unemployed to boot! is it necessary to get toyota parts? that will save me some cash it not.

it's essential that the seals are Toyota parts, not sure about the rest.

 

[wjamyers]

BigFish, Your writeup is awesome and will be a huge help for me when I take on this project. Like you did, I plan to change out the brake shoes since they are soaked in oil but I'm not having much luck finding the part number for a genuine toyota set. If you can provide the part number it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Search here:
Toyota Parts Factory | Your #1 Source for Genuine OEM Toyota - Scion Parts and Accessories

That's what I did.

I'm buying nearly all of my parts from camelback. they are owning the competition, IMO.

 

[Psypress]

I need help

Has anyone done a wheel bearing job previously and would like to help in Houston/Cypress are in Texas???
Please let me know (Dec. 13, 2013)
My 4runner is just sitting in the garage waiting to be done.
please reply if someone is interested at
[email protected]
thanks

 

[xcmtb83]

Try asking that here: Texas & Oklahoma - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

 

[BrianSD_42]

Sorry if this has already been asked but what are you-alls thoughts on changing the rear drums during this replacement?

I need to redo my rear axel seals for a 2nd time, the first time was about 8 years ago, around 130k miles.

Now that I'm going to order all the parts I'm thinking I should just replace the drums completely since they have 220K miles. Ultra-8 Brand @ NAPA is $65 each.

Any thoughts?

 

[Kakwa]

Cost savings

If you want to use a top quaity non-Toyota bearing you can install SKF 6308 2RS1/C3 instead. A dealer up here wanted $144 per bearing! The SKF bearing from a good industrial supply house was only $37. I think the Toyota bearing is an NTN brand and in my experience in heavy industry they are an inferior product generally.

 

[turbo8]

Is the o-ring part number: 90301-88077 supposed to hold a little oil in or is it supposed to be more or less a water\dust seal?

The reason I ask is because I have a little oil coming out of there after a seal change.

 

[tjandcoryh]

Great write up…what was machine shop cost?

New member here, may be up against same thing. That or the rear brake cylinder is leaking. Really good cost breakdown on tools, what was the shop (dealer/local mech?) cost? Thanks

 

[kauka]

thanks for the great write up on this quick question i just did my 98 4runner sr5 4x4 and now my abs light is on any ideas why mahalo

 

[coues7]

Man I applaud all you guys who take the time to document stuff like this. Thank you!

 

[drdolittlerwc]

This is an Awesome thread, totally helped me as I just changed my rear axle seals!!

Don't forget to bleed your brakes.....