Shop recommendations for rear axle seal repair

What's up everyone, I know there's been tons of these threads, but my Tacoma is actually fine. I need a shop in the East Bay Area to take my 3rd gen 4runner and get its rear axle seals replaced. I'd ask the T4R guys but my post count is prohibiting me from starting a thread there. I'd do it myself, but I just can't find the time. I also don't have a press for the bearing.

So...can anyone recommend a shop? I know Shaffers in Alameda is highly regarded but it's a little far from Hayward.

 

The rear end shop in Livermore did my regear. Good and affordable

 

Pete's Gear. They rebuilt my rear end after I blew up the ARB.

 

Is Santa Clara too far? Try Jeff at Toy Connection?

 

If the seals go do you also need to do the bearings?

 

Yeah, I don't have the time or space to do the bearing and seal. All my tools are at my parent's house, but work leaves almost no time for me to wrench these days. I don't know many shops open on the weekends to press in the bearing and retainer to the axle shaft. I also don't wanna drive to a shop, wait for them to press everything, and then reinstall. I'd do it if I can make time for it. Just busy with other stuff.

 

Yeah, if it was just a seal, I'd be on it. But it needs a bearing and retainer pressed in as well. Can't have the rig sitting out for more than a day, and my time is better spent doing other things over driving to and from a machine shop. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I'll be calling more shops on my lunch break tomorrow.

 

Before you take it anywhere, I suggest reviewing Tim's video - he covers an interesting point (about 7:26 in) about the actual seal and how it is installed. I know its a long video but watch the beginning and you'll have a little knowledge on the seal portion to aid you in discussions with whatever shop you choose. While I have not used ToyConnection, from what I have come across here - they certainly would be the first shop I check with. Anyway, here's the video - you may have already come across it.

Hell, maybe even check in with @Timmah!. Busy guy but ya never know... especially for a fellow T4R owner. Good luck.

https://youtu.be/AVhSDnw2ugo


EDIT: my bad, just re-read your posts and yeah, you know what you are doing.

For future reference if others turn this up in a search, I dealt with the same thing and ended up taking it to a local dealer. Still running fine but the issue Tim mentioned in his video crosses my mind whenever I see posts about axle seal repairs. link here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/is-this-a-broken-rear-axle-seal.561195/page-2#post-18371816

 

Tim was the first person I hit up, but he's just too busy right now. Last resort is the dealer, but hoping I can find a shop that can do this repair correctly. Heard of too many stories of the seals leaking a few thousand miles after putting in new seals. Hit up toy connection and they are backed up until early Feb.

 

DEFINITELY stay away from Piercey in Milpitas. After a ridiculous experience trying to have the alignment done, I'll never return to them. Wouldn't trust Fremont Toyota either. Had bad experiences with them as well.

 

Needs more beer. But this. Even if it took an hour, you'd learn something valuable.

BTW, can I use you(r) driveway in a month or so?