Rear diff. drop/overhaul

[Cow_doc.308]

I finally got around to tackling my rear diff today. Its been leaking and had a lot of slack in the pinion shaft since I've had it.
This is by far the biggest repair I've ever attempted, on any vehicle. Lucky for me I've made friends with a diesel mechanic who agreed to help me on his afternoon off and allow me access to his shop.

I read up on the FSM and it shows that you can replace the front pinion bearing and crush sleeve without dropping the 3rd member. Well, somebody may be able to but we sure couldn't get the bearing out.

Since I had already bought a whole bearing kit to both pinions and side bearings, we decided to just drop the whole thing out and take it to a driveline shop and let them set it all back out.

So after 4 hours or so this is how my runner sits:

<a href="http://s686.photobucket.com/user/LHKing4/media/IMG_1260_zps9c9d68f4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv224/LHKing4/IMG_1260_zps9c9d68f4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_1260_zps9c9d68f4.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s686.photobucket.com/user/LHKing4/media/IMG_1261_zps375f3ab6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv224/LHKing4/IMG_1261_zps375f3ab6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_1261_zps375f3ab6.jpg"/></a>

Even though it didn't all go as planned, I'm still pretty happy that I was able to get this much done on my own and save some shop labor cost. And, my ring gear looks good to go so no need for new gears. Even though I'd love to be regearing and adding a locker at this stage, its just not in the budget right now.

Here's hoping it all goes back smoothly next week. :bolt:

 

[xcmtb83]

Are you replacing your axle seals too? I would not have recommended letting your axle and hub dangle out of the axle housing like that. It crushes your axle seal.

 

[KidVermicious]

Good on you for digging into it yourself! You've saved a whack of cash and learned a little bit more about your truck. However...

Are you replacing your axle seals too? I would not have recommended letting your axle and hub dangle out of the axle housing like that. It crushes your axle seal.

... this. Your axle seals are almost guaranteed to be toast right now, the axle shafts are resting on them and the seal is just thin metal and rubber. Any parts store should have replacements, but you WILL want to replace them before you refill your axle with gear oil.

 

[Cow_doc.308]

Already had plans of changing them. They weren't leaking or anything but I figure I'm already there so might as well change them.

 

[fourharts56]

Can't wait to hear how this all comes out!! This is my next project for my Runner.:juggle:

 

[Cow_doc.308]

besides axle seals, anything else I should do while I'm here?

 

[AlpineCoder]

besides axle seals, anything else I should do while I'm here?

If it were me and I had my entire rear axle torn apart already, I think I'd have a shop press in new bearings. Kinda pricey for the parts, but the hard part is already done.

 

[Cow_doc.308]

Well I got her all back together tonight. All new bearings in the diff, new pinion seal, and new inner axle seals.

I had a transmission shop do the diff work cause I don't have that kind of skill. It seems to drive as good as possible on a stock 16 year old suspension. No more vibrations from the drive train.

Cost:
$176 for bearing kits and solid pinion spacer
$225 for 3 hours of labor from the shop.
And another 50-75 in seals, gear oil crush washers etc.

Total work time was probably 5-6 hours tear down and rebuild combined (excluding the shop time)