Rear differential replacement questions

[videopuppy]

2003 T4R V6 SR5

My rear diff has gone out (190,000ish). I have not done one on a Toyota before, so first off, anything major to know?

I don't want to change ring & pinion (if that is even the issue), I'm not tooled for that, but that might be the less $ route to take. Just take the differential and the parts to a shop and have the ring & pinion setup.

I don't know my gear ratio, but I can probably get that after I pull the differential out?

Any good places on the web to order a rebuild / used / stock diff?

Best
Dave

 

[fdbyrne]

You can get a new drop-in 3rd member from East Coast Gear Supply for about $650.

 

[videopuppy]

Great I will check that out, thank you!

Any advice on determining the gear ratio?

 

[fdbyrne]

I'm sure that there is a better way, but I always call the dealer and have the parts guys run the VIN for stuff like that.

 

[videopuppy]

Okay, I will try calling the dealer.

Also, I looked at east coast gear supply.....

They ask about flange style, is this something I need to order (used flange, harmonic flange)?

 

[CruzadoBlanco]

As far as I know all 4th and 5th gens (aside from the 2010 4cyl) are 3.73 ratios

 

[jonesmw10]

Great I will check that out, thank you!

Any advice on determining the gear ratio?

I'm pretty sure it's stamped on the differential itself. I believe ours is 3.727 (3.73) if I'm not mistaken?

 

[fdbyrne]

Interesting. Mine is a 2004 and I was under the impression that mine was 3.91. I could be wrong.

Call ECGS on the phone. Ask them these questions. They are really knowledgeable and should be able to get you all squared away.

 

[videopuppy]

Interesting. Mine is a 2004 and I was under the impression that mine was 3.91. I could be wrong.

Call ECGS on the phone. Ask them these questions. They are really knowledgeable and should be able to get you all squared away.

That's a terrific idea....haha! Thanks!

 

[fdbyrne]

Another thing that you might want to consider is replacing your rear wheel bearings while you're in there. You'll have to pull the axles anyway which is most of the work. Just drop them off at a machine shop with a new set of bearings to be put in and let them do their thing while you work on the differential. It wouldn't hurt to do the axle seals either for the same reason.

 

[videopuppy]

Another thing that you might want to consider is replacing your rear wheel bearings while you're in there. You'll have to pull the axles anyway which is most of the work. Just drop them off at a machine shop with a new set of bearings to be put in and let them do their thing while you work on the differential. It wouldn't hurt to do the axle seals either for the same reason.

Yeah with the mileage that certainly is a good idea.

These axle bearings are pressed on?

 

[fdbyrne]

Yes. It takes a special press adapter to press the bearing off of the axle. Many shops already have the adapter and the ones that don't can fabricate one in just a few minutes. It's not an easy 15 minute bolt-on job like the fronts but it isn't bad if you have the right tools.

 

[videopuppy]

I haven't torn this apart yet, but when I do and maybe it turns out to be an axle, do you have any recommendations for a place to purchase?

Thanks

 

[fdbyrne]

If it were me, I'd look at the local junk yards first. If I struck out there I would go to car-part.com and get one sent to me from another reputable yard. No need to go new on a rear axle in my opinion. Others may disagree.

 

[videopuppy]

If it were me, I'd look at the local junk yards first. If I struck out there I would go to car-part.com and get one sent to me from another reputable yard. No need to go new on a rear axle in my opinion. Others may disagree.

Okay, good deal! Thanks!

 

[ARunner]

If you are a v6 4 speed you are likely a 3.91. You would need to ensure you replace with the same ratio if you are 4wd. The challenge with a junk yard is you don't know what you're going to get. You could always have yours rebuilt by a reputable shop to save a few $$ if there is such a place in your area.

Edit: I am a big fan of Ken, AKA Zuk with gearinstalls.com. He specializes in Toyotas and turns your product around quickly and provides you pictures of progress and measurements if you don't have any shops locally that you trust.

 

[videopuppy]

If you are a v6 4 speed you are likely a 3.91. You would need to ensure you replace with the same ratio if you are 4wd. The challenge with a junk yard is you don't know what you're going to get. You could always have yours rebuilt by a reputable shop to save a few $$ if there is such a place in your area.

Edit: I am a big fan of Ken, AKA Zuk with gearinstalls.com. He specializes in Toyotas and turns your product around quickly and provides you pictures of progress and measurements if you don't have any shops locally that you trust.

Thanks for the info! I will skip the yard unless I find one with low mileage. This is not a job I care to do again anytime soon.

 

[videopuppy]

I got it apart yesterday and it has 3.91 ratio. Ordered reman unit from ECGS. Hopefully have that in a few days.

Thanks for you help everyone! Greatly appreciated!!

 

[CruzadoBlanco]

I haven't torn this apart yet, but when I do and maybe it turns out to be an axle, do you have any recommendations for a place to purchase?

Thanks

if you cant find a good used axle shaft (if that is the problem) G2 sells shafts for 143 bucks or so per side, not a bad price and what i will be going with when i do my regear

 

[RPS13]

I got it apart yesterday and it has 3.91 ratio. Ordered reman unit from ECGS. Hopefully have that in a few days.

Thanks for you help everyone! Greatly appreciated!!

Smart man.

I rebuilt mine... and it was a royal PITA, and for some reason my 2WD flange didn't nicely go down on the new pinion output shaft (which was OEM Toyota). Machining issue...

So I ended up having to put it all back together late in the weekend to make it to work with the bad diff, and got so sick of it I drove it for another 4-5 months like that before I fixed the other diff and put it in.

Looking back on it, it was an interesting learning opportunity about how these diffs are setup (I'm used to Nissan R200's, so all solid shims everywhere). But if I could go back and hit the easy button like you're doing, I definitely would have!!!