2nd gen Rear Axle Bearing DIY

Rear axle housing and shafts are all interchangeable. If you need a new 3rd member the elocker and 8.4” housings are not interchangeable without some drilling and grinding. Light being on is probably the result of a speed sensor wire getting damaged.

 

Good to know. So as long as I find a second generation tacoma (4X4?) I should be able to buy a replacement axle without worry.
The speed sensor has something to do with the traction control switch/light? I thought speed sensors were only in front.

 

yeah the axle shaft length and spline count should all be the same. The speed sensors are on all 4 wheels, they are also used for ABS control in addition to vehicle speed. Get a code reader that can read abs errors and it’ll tell you what sensor is driving the traction control trouble light.

 

Thanks for the info. That makes sense now since I'm also getting an ABS light on the dash.

 

While I can’t confirm axle shafts between locker and non-locker 6 lug trucks are the same on 2nd

Going off the advice of @6 gearT444E being accurate (don’t know myself but no proof he’d be incorrect and not my point here) you’d look for any 6 lug rear axle, prerunner or 4x4.

 

Hey, I just thought of one other thing... I tried putting the driveshaft back in just behind the carrier bearing and It seemed like the splines weren't fitting, as though there might be a specific way they have to align properly. That doesn't make sense to me to have some kind of staggered spline configuration, but they sure didn't want to go in. Is there some kind of trick I'm missing? Or was I just needing more patience?

 

there is one spline that is keyed so it has to be reinstalled in a specific way. Hard to describe but if you look closely at the driveshaft you’ll notice it.

 

LOL... Nice to know. Sometimes I have to wonder about why engineers are paid so much. (Apologies if you are one)

 

I am actually, no apologies needed

here’s a thread I found which shows the keyed splines
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4x4-rear-driveshaft-slip-joint-question.341975/

 

Here’s the P/N for the rear axle shaft

4231104082

 

Okay, I checked out the pics on the other thread and was surprised I didn't notice the different splines. And the explanation was interesting too.
So this part number is for LH rear axle on any second gen six lug Taco...
You've been very helpful. Thanks. Hope I can return the favor someday. (and no more engineer humor [well, not much at least])

 

I've spent quite a bit of time beneath my rig looking at the male and female splines on the driveshaft, and I'll be damned if I can see any differences on the male side. The female side has two gaps, 180 degrees from each other, but the male side looks to me like it is consistent splines all the way around.
Also, when you pull the axle, undoing the four bolts behind the backing plate, it appears that there is no gasket or o-ring, just flat steel surfaces. Isn't there gear oil out to the end of the axles? Or is there an internal seal that keeps the lube toward the pumpkin and not out on either end? Or even more likely, did I miss something? Is there supposed to be any kind of seal?

 

The male end has two splines that fit in that key, hard to tell but this is what they look like


There is an o-ring, it comes off with the hub/axle shaft assembly when you remove it. Oil is in the differential housing all the way up to the rear hub, some dana axles have a seal at the differential that keeps oil from entering the axle tubes. If you don't have an o-ring, there would definitely be gear oil leaking out onto the drum brakes, the PN is 9030183002

 

I'll figure it out one way or another. Thanks for the part number.

 

you're welcome, the keyways on the slip joints are nothing new spicer has been doing this for some time to avoid vibration issues due to improper phasing if the driveshaft is disassembled after it's balanced

 

They can be installed 180* out as well. So it doesn't solve all issues.

 

that is true, some common sense required. In the Dana document I posted they still recommend to mark the orientation prior to disassembling. I imagine that a 180° phase shift would have a less drastic effect on vibration than some other random placement. As they say, you can make something idiot proof and the world will make a bigger idiot.

 

In this case the wrecked truck had the driveshaft swinging free. So I guess I've got a 50/50 shot as long as I can find the odd splines.

 

yep, in all honesty I’ve never marked where the companion flange mated up when removing a driveshaft, I think maybe I got lucky but who knows. Worst case you take it to a shop to get balanced it’s usually pretty cheap.

 

Did you leave the seal flush with the end of the axle housing or fully seat it? Or somewhere in between?