i need help chosing one of two repairs

I have two rather severe issues with my Tacoma at the moment, both came with the truck both are normal wear and tear.
One issue is the throw out bearing chirping while idling and in gear not while clutch is pushed in. the stick is also very loose when it's in gear, the stick shift bushing is shot.
The second is my rear axel seals are bad and they're leaking diff oil into my drum breaks.
Both aren't going to be cheap, and I can't decide which I should do first.
I'm going to take it off roading in two months and I wanted to get the most critical issue fixed before I go. I'd really like to get both fixed obviously but I doubt I could afford such a large dealership bill.

I'm open to anyone's suggestions on this.

Repairs fricking suck....

Thanks!

 

Fix your stick shit bushing,and throw out bearing,take your truck too a transmission shop NOT Toyota and have them do both at the same time as they will have too pull the transmission.

 

I'd get the rear axle seals replaced first, the throwout bearing chirp is a very common issue with manual trans Tacomas. I'm on my 2nd throwout bearing in less than a year and the new one is already chirping again.

Lots of people drive around with a chirping TOB and other than it being really annoying, it doesn't cause any harm. Should be taken care of eventually because if it does fail (which is uncommon), it can cause catastrophic damage to the clutch assembly. But it's not as urgent as leaking rear axle seals IMO.

 

axle seals for sure. your going to need your brakes and diff oil if your going to be offroading it. a tob chirp you can get by with just turn the radio up

 

X2 on avoiding the dealer

I would check with a transmission shop as well, they should be able to deal with the tranny as well as the axle seals, perhaps if you disclose your location someone could recommend a shop.

I vote axle seals first, you don't want that gear oil on yer brakes and you don't wanna ruin your rear end

 

Here's what I'd do: fix the axle seals. You'll almost certainly need new brake shoes too. For the loose shifter, get a TRD short shift kit and install it yourself-easy peezy to do. Actually if you don't want to go with the short shifter, place a WTB add for a stock one from someone that has installed a short shifter. For the TOB, let it chirp for now, and then get a URD sleeve and bearing when you replace the clutch in the future.

 

axle seals

1) no brakes in back extreme safety issue
2) no or low oil in diff, kaboom.... to a junkyard for a new used assembly

vs fixing a
a squeak ?

 

TOB is annoying, but not a safety or functionality issue. Replace the bearings, seals, and oil soaked brake shoes.

 

Thanks to everyone who suggested the axel seals, I'm going to get them fixed asap.
The chirping is EXTREMELY annoying and getting louder as the months pass.

The amount of grease in the drums and on the shoes was incredible more so on the right side.

I topped the diff fluid off to see how much of a leak I had and there was a trail to the road from my garage. It had leaked out all night onto the inside of my wheel and when I took off it spilled onto the ground. I was puzzled at how much could come out. I then took a little out and it's not pouring out at night.

Off hand I don't know of any transmission shops around where I am. Toyota quoted me on 7+ hours at 115$ an hour then plus parts cost for the t.o. bearing.

Again thank you for your help!!!

 

Hey there, some of these things you mention escape my understanding.
Wtb I don't know what that stands for.
What's up with a short shifter? Do you know of any threads for installation?

You're also right, New shoes will be needed

 

Second t.o. in a year????? What the hell? What do the people working on your truck say? How much did yours cost?

I'm going to call the stealership today and make an appt.

Thanks again!

 

if its rear outter axle seals, eezy peezy! do yourself. an afternoon, few beers and under $100! inner is a little harder but should not be too bad. Are you like barely leaking into the drumbs or like enough to where the level in the diff shows noticeable drop in oil?

 

that sounds like inner and outter seals to me

 

WTB = want to buy.

Short shifter install is easy. Give me a few days and I'll see if I can scratch up the installation instructions. Basically remove the center console via a few screws. The shifter is held in place by a quarter turn cap with a spring. Press down & turn. For the short shifter, there's a spacer that goes between the shifter socket and transmission case via 4 screws. If you just want a regular shifter, you don't have to mess with the spacer. I saw a for sale thread on rebuilt shifter here too...

 

The shifter bushing is an easy fix you can do yourself. I would go ahead and do that and the rear axles. Anytime time there are loose parts associated with the transmission it can lead to premature wear on other parts in the transmission. For example, if the shifter is worn you may not be fully engaging gears and putting extra stress on gears and synchros.

 

Another vote for axle seals first BUT...........I also suggest doing the 3rd member gasket done too while the axles are out. Mine is about to need that done and will be doing axle seals too since replacing the 3rd member gasket involves pulling the axles. Will also be doing brake shoes while those are off.

Another note: Do the axle breather vent mod. It relieves unecessary pressure buildup in there. The oem breather is spring loaded and does not breathe both ways. The relocation up higher is to keep water out of axle housing but also relieves pressure buildup on the axle seals and probably pinion and 3rd member gaskets as well.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/differential-breather-mod-for-dummies-pics.15686/

 

Well...you don't just replace the throwout bearing, you replace the entire clutch. You don't have to, but since the transmission has to come out to get to the throwout bearing anyway, and because the throwout bearing is like a $20 part, it makes sense to just replace the clutch and resurface the flywheel while you're at it. The first time my TOB started chirping, I wanted to put in a performance clutch anyhow so I had it done at the same time. Fast forward a few months and the brand new TOB is chirping again so...I'm just going to wait until I need another clutch before I deal with it, and then maybe I'll look into the URD solution.

 

thanks to everyone who suggested repairs. I did get the axle seals and shoes replaced. and let me say it stops a hell of a lot better. When i'd use to parking break and I was on slight inclinations they truck wanted to move it didn't want to stay put - that was all the grease in the drums. She stays put now! I'm still furious at the t.o. bearing and the other issues i've got. I found a guy who I work with whos been working on farm equipment and cars since he was 11 hes now thirty something. He volunteered to help me replace my t.o. bearing and all the other nifty fun stuff that comes with. He'd charge me half as much as he does other people if I help, i'm a bit nervous because i've only got that truck to drive and I have a job to get to. He thinks we can get it all done in a weekend... I suppose I trust him.
I suppose your chirp is temperature related too? when it gets below 45 degrees it wont chirp as much, when the engine is hot as hell like getting off the highway it'll sound like hamsters on squeaky wheels powering my truck. When its very cold out the chirping is ALMOST gone, and when its summer and hot as hell its very loud.
I'm going to start a new thread about two other issues im having, i ask that you smart guys/girls check them out, they are enraging me.