Bad rear axle seals...Dealership wants $1500

Hey everyone.....Been lurking for years but finally wanted to jump in with a question. I have blown rear seals on both sides. 99 Sr5 4x4. I figure I might as well replace the bearings too while everything is apart. This job is way beyond my ability and I don't have a press big enough (although the tube vids make it look easy enough). Dealership wants $1500 to do the job. Is it actually that tricky/time consuming? Do I trust a smaller shop that is cheaper but don;t know exactly what they are doing?

Thanks for any insight

 

Www.car-part.Com find a used axle and just swap it

 

The job isn't hard as far a replacing the bearings. You just need a puller to pull the old bearings off the axle. The new ones can be tapped back on with a piece of pipe and a hammer. The seals and o rings are easy. Pull the old ones and put the new ones in.

 

It looks easy enough. I was not sure that tapping would be enough pressure. I like the swap idea too.

 

definitely do it yourself. In my case a shop wouldn't just press the bearing on, they wanted to charge me an arm and leg just to do that. I took it to the dealership the first time around and they put it on backwards, forgot the e-brake hardware and destroyed the bearing. So I bought a harbor freight press for like $120 or something cant remember and did it all myself. I hardest part will be making the jig to get the shaft on the press.

"Dirty Pool" was incredibly helpful, no way i could have figured it out without him:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/proper-way-to-press-in-new-rear-wheel-bearing.274582/

 

If you have the TRD e-locker rear it has provisions for ABS regardless if the truck has ABS or not. Bearing install is mostly the same as the non-ABS rears and really should be done with a special fixture and a press. Installing seals in the ABS rears can be tricky while the non-ABS seals are simple.
I would stay away from any shop that is not completely familiar with the Toyota ABS rears. Even dealerships screw this job up all the time.

Which ever way you go, read on. It will at least help you identify if a shop knows what they are doing.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/274582-proper-way-press-new-rear-wheel-bearing.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/277005-stubborn-inner-axle-seal.html
For more info than you probably want to know got to "advanced search". Search this forum under the "Search threads and posts tab" > keywords "rear axle seal" > don't check the titles only box > "posted by member" Dirty Pool

 

Thanks Dirty Pool. I have done a lot of reading on this before and your links and tool you showed were super helpful. I am still just as confused though. If a dealership or mechanic that does hundreds of these F's them up then why would I think I could try it? I guess I will just try it and if it does'nt work I will try and find a used axle assembly.

 

I pulled the bearing without a press or any fancy equipment. I made a puller out of a piece of flat metal and a piece of pipe that uses my 3 jaw puller to pull the bearing and I used a piece of pipe to put the new bearing on. Had the bearing off in less than 5 min and back on in 5 min.

 

Anyone know what ID size pipe they used to install the new bearing? I have one rumbling in the rear and will need to do this soon.

 

Ok, sorry for keeping this going. If I were to swap axle shafts, what years are compatible with my 99 4x4 trd?

 

I would recommend pulling your axles out and taking them to a shop. It's pretty easy to remove the axles and will save you a couple bucks. I spent under 200 for parts and and press work.

 

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/rear_axle/wheel_bearing/

 

That last link always makes me laugh. The "shade tree mechanic". If you mushroom out your splines just use a triangular file to get them back.

 

To install the bearing the pipe (hammer or press) needs to fit against the inner race or damage to the bearing could result.

From post #16 of the link in post #5
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/proper-way-to-press-in-new-rear-wheel-bearing.274582/

1-1/2" plumbing pipe , 1-1/2" coupler, screwed together tight, ends squared off
This is a close fit to the shaft. I had to take a half round file to the weld seam inside the pipe.

 

The only difference in the Taco/T4R axles (6 lug) is ABS, non ABS. You will want to verify that. Maybe use one of the online parts vendors like CamelBack Toyota and check the part numbers for various years. If I remember correctly the backing plates and the bearing changed at some point.

 

What makes you think an axle housing from the junkyard isn't going to leak immediately or even 1000mi down the road?

To the OP - I have done this repair three times. The key is to get the retainer in the correct location. You don't need to flip the retainer IMO just make sure it is located where it needs to be for everything to seal. The T4R thread is worth reading to completion. My contributions are post #92.

 

Thanks and yes I read all of it and have it bookmarked. Super helpful!! I have a really dumb question and swear I can't find an answer. A 2003 2wd axle has come up in my area. Is that compatible with my 4x4 trd housing? Thanks for all the help!! Truly grateful. I have so much to do to this truck and you guys are making it happen.

 

Does your have the factory e locker?

 

yes