Tampa Bay Area Tacomas BS Thread

And it gets better...I found out why the seal failed. It was the trashed wheel bearing that caused the seal to fail. Like I said, I can't catch a break no how.

Something told me I wasn't getting out of this with a couple of $7 wheel seals.

 

Well I have the rear axle seal/bearing puller tool for the press if you want to bring em over to press them out

 

Outstanding. That'll save some cash for sure.

Gotta question for ya...or anyone else that's familiar with these rearends...I'm either screwed or I panicked too soon. Is there normally some up-and-down play in these axle shafts? I ask because the other side feels the same. So either both bearings are toast or they are both good and it's just the inner wheel seal that's bad.

 

From my limited experience with these rear axles, there will be minimal play with a brand new bearing.... and I mean minimal. I remember my new bearings still moved slightly when pressed in, but they were no where near as loose as the ones I replaced.

 

Hmm...sure would be nice to have an end-play spec. If new bearings have a tiny bit of play, then bearings with 180k miles on them will have quite a bit more...but how much is too much? I'd hate to replace them if I don't have to. Those suckers are expensive. Guess I could put the drums and/or tires back on and roll them to see if they make any noise or feel rough but I'm guessing it'd be hard to tell with the locker, haha.

 

Are those the original bearings? If so, I'd replace them anyway since you are going to be in there replacing the seal.

 

I assume so, but it's possible they could have been replaced by a PO. If they were cheap I'd agree with you, haha, but these suckers are like $70 apiece. That's a little too rich for my budget just to replace because I'm in there. I was going to replace the seal on the other side since I'd have brake system cracked (again) anyway, but replacing a $7 seal just for peace of mind is a lot easier to swallow.

Anyway, I couldn't get a terribly accurate reading do to the limitations on my base, but I checked the end play with my dial indicator. I was getting between .016 and .020" of up and down movement. Dunno if that's good or bad though without a tolerance spec.

 

Okay, with the rear axle on jack stands with the tires and brake drums off, I fired her up, put her in 5th gear, and let her spin. No noise from the bearings. I'm going to optimistically say I panicked too early. I think the bearings are okay. As for the seal...I think I cooked it having the brakes adjusted too tight (learning curve with the locker). Evidence of this is the fact that the shoes on that side are significantly worn down compared to the other side. The problem was corrected a long time ago, but it was probably just a matter of time before the seal cracked. That's the theory I'm going with even if I have to move to Egypt to live on the shores of de Nile.

I'm just going to try replacing the inner wheel seals and see what happens.

 

Lee I've had really good luck with the Marlin Eco seals, have them front and rear on my truck. May be worth checking out if they offer them for your axle.

 

Thanks strange person that I haven't seen is too damn long, haha. Actually I just ordered two of Marlin's wheel bearing kits. I failed to upgrade to the eco-seals though. My budget was screaming bloody murder enough from the bearing kits.

Odd thing about those kits, they have a strangely broad application range...79-99 hilux, 4runner, tacoma, and t100. I thought the hiluxs and early runners had full floating axles while the tacomas and 3rd+ gen Runners have semi-floating axles, so I am a little confused as to how they are using the same bearings and seals.

 

I bought a little skiff and a fly rod. Been fishing as much as I can. The Runners only been wheeling to the boat ramp.

I'll be back out in the woods this fall with you guys.

GH

 

Post some pics! Ive only got bass on the fly but hope to get a tarpon or snook on one

 

So far I've only fished it with my spinning rods. I think I got the casting down pretty well on the fly rod and will bring it out Saturday morning if the weather holds.

Hopefully I'll have some picks to post!

 

Nice! Casting isn't too bad, the double haul took some practice to get down though. gotta love the fight

 

Had to go buy dog food this morning and found this little curb. Ran out of room to fully flex it.

 

Finally started a build thread. I wish i had more to document. Lol.

 

Solid axle. Long travel. Your rtt you want.

 

I put the rtt. Don't think a solid axle would ever happen lol.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hugoprestons-slow-build-and-bs.437409/#post-12676014

 

Have you guys heard about this?

 

Hey guys, anyone up for helping me re adjust my front coils? I'd like to max them out