Tundra rear on my 02 taco?

My rear passenger side wheel shakes like crazy at highway speeds. I jacked up the rear and removed the tire. Put truck in drive and the drum had some wobble. Removed the drum and put truck on drve again to watch the rear axle spin. No noticeable wobble on axle end.
I replaced the drum but still have the same promlem.
There isnt any noticeable bearing play.
I believe the axle shaft is bent, and would rather swap out the entire rear end. Just wondering if this swap is a huge pain is the rear.

 

Try rotating that suspected tire and wheel to another location on the truck and see if the wobble follows. That's a free and easy test to rule out a bent wheel or bad tire before diving into replacing an axle assembly.

 

The first gen tundra rear end isn't any stronger just wider. I swapped on in my truck. I have to weld on new spring perches and shock tabs. Sucker is wide. They are 66 to 68 inches wide.

 

Even with no tire, the drum wobbles while turning

 

I would rather swap the rear, than replace the shaft. Seems like it would be alot easier

 

I'm on my 3rd rear end. I'd say go for it if the housing is bent. A wobble though is more likely a bent axle shaft. That is a lot less work. A bent axle you'll piss oil out the seal all the time and have a slight off camber.

 

That's one reason i am confused. There is no oil leaking and when the drum is off, I can't see any wobble on the end of the axle. I figured that if the axle shaft was bent then it would cause the axle bearing to fail and oil would be everywhere.

 

It is possible to have a bend between the bearing and hub flange. It would be the area inside your drum brake. You won't see it until you get the shaft on a level table with a laser or straight edge.

You could just swap out an axle shaft with drum assembly attached from a junk yard. That is a really easy job.

 

The shaft is an easy replacement. Disconnect the e-brake cable, disassemble the brakes, loosen four bolts, and it'll be in your hands. An hour or two tops if you're mechanically inclined (may need a shop to press bearings to swap the backing plate, depending on what you buy).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJE35juQWM8

 

Will a shaft from a '94 fit? Im sure the answer is on here somewhere, but I'm I'll ask here

 

You need 96 to 04. 6 lug 1st gen tacoma only. Maybe certain years of 4runner, but that is outside my knowledge.

 

How is swapping an entire axle easier? To replace the shaft you literally pull it out and slide the new one in once you swap bearings

Don't do the swap. It will look weird too

 

I was under the impression that you had to drop the axle. Haven't looked into it to far yet. Sounds easy enough though. My truck looks goofy since I put the flat bed kit on it. Thats what my wife says anyhow.

 

Goofy looking???! She's not a fan of the Ute style or trayback trucks from down under? I love 'em. I think it looks great. I almost turned my 80 series land cruiser into one. In hindsight I'm kinda glad I didn't. Would've been a helluva project, not having an actual bed to work with.