Bent rear axle - what would you do?

If you post a pic of of the u-bolts and spring from the bottom side front and rear we should be able to see a distinct mark of prior wear/rust mark as long as it hasn't been tuned up with bomb can paint.

 

Thanks but I just dropped it off tonight. Hoping to get this issue to bed one way or another soon. Would prefer to get it fixed legit but also have some offers in the works if I need to get out.

 

Shoot me message if you have any questions. Have 25 yrs in the bodyshop bullshit. Had a scenario one time were the truck took a hit like yours , housing was not bent. The axle shaft was from the bearing cup out. And I just had an idea to check for the housing. First verify that the shaft is not bent, then take two 4ft straight (level?)edges and clamp to drum (but throw the lug nuts on to ensure the drum is right to axle flange) now measure at the ends front and back, they should be the same or red headed c hair off.

 

following, good luck

 

Make sure the spring itself is not bent. They bend at the main leaf right behind the front hanger. If the rear wheel was hit at all, the spring will likely bend there. The spring is much weaker than the axel housing.

On edit- Measure with two people from center or edge of front hub to center or same edge of rear hub with a tape measure, held taught and level. Compare readings on both sides . That will show a difference if something is bent significantly and go from there.

 

From a junkyard, years ago, I bought the following for $400
-manual pedals
-shifter + linkage
-clutch hardline
-6-speed AWD manual transmission
-axles
-rear diff
-propshaft
-maybe more
I forgot to pick up downpipes

I doubt a rear end in a common Taco is that expensive.

That being said, I imagine if you have bending within the axle housing, or axle shafts that stick into the housing, that you would have vibrational issues and movement of the tire. I see no mention of those symptoms.
If it is an inch forward, maybe something else (or the housing) is moved to cause that.

From what I have seen, not many people know how to align the back of a Tacoma.
They just brush it off as "it's not meant to be aligned/is not alignable."
Even if it is out of spec and things can be done to resolve it, people will say "just leave it alone" - it's much easier to turn the brain Off than On
it can potentially be moved, shims exist, hangers can bend, and so on

 

Welp, their consensus is that it's bent, too. I am going to scout out a salvage rear end now. Were all the 2nd gen with electronic locking diff 3.73 rear axles the same over the years? Thanks for your help so far everyone!

 

Yes.

 

OK, looking at getting a new rear end and just to clarify that all second-gen 3.73 w electronic locking diff were the same. Some listings show only 05-08 and then 09-15 for this part. For example:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/373754898062?fits=Model:Tacoma|Make:Toyota

 

Ok, I just saw this but I have a rear axle I am looking to get rid of, I am having a hard time selling it.

it has 4.88 gears with about 1000 miles on them.
2009, factory e-locker
I will throw in the nitro chromoly axle shafts, I never pressed them in.

I am willing to negotiate.

 

here is a photo. I am getting rid of it, as I decided to upgrade to the ECGS Dana60.

 

Thank you but looking to keep a stock configuration. All highway miles in the good ole flat midwest so 3.73 is whats up.

 

aight good luck amigo!

 

So what's the diagnosis?

By now you should have an answer.

 

Bent axle. Needs replacement

 

So you could have raised the back wheels and spun them to see the wobble.

 

Toe is off 3 degrees. From a certain perspective that would not show as a wobble. And with something like this I would've rather got another opinion.

 

Got it swapped out today with a used unit from Phoenix. Took forever to find a 3.73 w elect locking. Anyone need my old, bent one or parts?