FWD with no 3rd Member

Would it be bad for my rear axles and bearings to drive without a third member, a la Front Wheel Drive? My only concern is that there would be nothing to hold up the end of the axle shaft .

I probably won't end up doing it because my new 3rd will be coming in this week and I don't feel like putting everything back together just to rip it apart again in a couple days. It would be nice to know for recovery if I ever destroy a set of gears or break an axle.

 

You could unbolt from the Tcase to the rear diff. Just 4 bolts on the diff, 4 bolts on the Tcase, and 2 on the hanger. The truck would be fine with the exception of having to turn the truck, bad for the front end, but technically could be done.
Honestly I wouldn't risk it on a new truck. I did this on my 90 model truck for a week. It only drove about 12 miles total though.

 

Well, I don't have a hanger (regular cab), but it's kinda a given that you'd need to remove the rear drive shaft and have the Transfer case in 4 HI. Thanks for adding that part though.

The item in question is really the damage to the rear wheel bearing or axles because the 3rd member isn't there to support the axles.

 

Sorry I missunderstood what you were asking. My bad. No I wouldn't do that. Big no no. Don't know what the heck I read, was talking to my 4yr old and typing. Sorry about that. Would like to delete that post, lol. But its a learning thing.

 

You are exactly right... there won't be anything supporting the axle shafts. I would NOT drive it without the 3rd member!!!!!!!!

Here's a writeup on removing the 3rd member and it distinctly shows the axle shafts removed and the 3rd member is what supports the inner end of the shaft.
http://www.atarmor.com/3rdmemwriteup/writeup2.htm

 

I thought about that a little, but I don't think the wear would be excessive. Usually the problem with having 4WD engaged on pavement is at the Transfer case. There is no differentiation between the front and rear. If only the front is engaged and you have an open front diff, then it should drive like any other FWD vehicle.

 

Thanks, that is a great write-up. I read it about a dozen times before I installed my autolocker a few months ago.

 

But like you said there wouldn't be anything supporting the axles. I haven't pulled one on a tacoma apart yet but it will likely be a clip of some sort that needs the 3rd member to hold the axles too. Without it they will be flying around in there.

 

Glad I was not the only one.

 

I am thinking too that it would be bad. That's why I didn't do it. Just wanted confirmation.

The axles in the Tacoma aren't held in at the 3rd (C-clip style) they're held at the wheel. To remove, you just take off 4 bolts on the wheel assembly and pull it out.

 

I did not realize that. But I would still be leary of doing it.

 

Here's what would happen if it were a C-Clip style diff.

 

What do you mean by DS Ends?

 

Yeah, that was already discussed though. I thought maybe he meant Drive Shaft, but again, already discussed the necesarry removal.

 

True, but I read somewhere that letting them just rest in the housing can mess up the seals.

 

I too have my doubts about whether it would really mess anything up or not. Have you removed your 3rd or axles before?

I've always just removed them because it's not that big of a deal. The most annoying part is bleeding the brakes.