Fatherless & Clueless: Wheel Bearing/Brakes/Suspension Replacement Help

GENTLEMEN,

I come in search of your vehicular wisdom. Mans-planed to me like I'm 5.

Here's my situation:

- I love my 2021 TRD Sport more than myself
- Brakes are starting to squeal like wounded pig
- Driver side front wheel bearing is starting to go
- Looking to update suspension, Florida potholes are real butt-puckering sons a bitches

After a horrific experience at Sarasota's Toyota Dealership, I'd like to expand my own knowledge on vehicle repair & maintenance. I've changed my own oil, transmission fluid, diff fluid, steering fluids, etc. Even conquered replacing my own side mirror after I cooked it in the middle of night in the pouring rain (first real lady-driver moment lmfao). I've replaced little things like tires, bulbs, spark plugs -- so I'm not a COMPLETE dipshit when it comes to maintaining my truck, but alas, I am entering new territory.

I'd like to blow this all out in one go, assuming updating my shocks should be done first, bearings, then brakes (correct me if I'm wrong). Also assuming I'll have to find someone to do an alignment afterwards like the cherry on top.

I've SCOWERED the internet for diagrams, manuals, video tutorials to better understand the terminology, as that's hampered my ability to comprehend WTF I'm supposed to be doing, parts needing to be ordered, etc.

Can y'all pretend to be my dad(s) and help me out by explaining what what all is necessary for me to be able to carry out these needs? If you changed your own brakes, wheel bearings, suspension - what parts did you use? Any specialty tools needed? (I am buying my first bearing press & pulls. I just picked up a snazzy DeWalt torque wrench from the local Tractor Supply)
Any videos or resources that helped you?

I'm happy to share my telegram or discord with anyone who has the time & patience to put up with me while explaining to me what the fuck I'm looking at/doing.

Having a 6'+ service manager follow me into a woman's restroom and look at me through the cracks of the stall, then proceed to try and charge me $1,800.00 for ONE wheel bearing replacement, has truly driven me to learn more about vehicles.
Not taking my precious baby angel Tacoma or myself to another dealership/shop.

pls, just a crumb of wisdom for this truck-bimbo

 

Who uses the bathrooms in the service department?! That's just gross.

I haven't been this turned on since I could read the missed connections on craigslist at work!

Seriously, post up in your regional area...get with some gearheads and see what you can figure out. Here in the midwest we have wrench days where everyone local gets together and works on 10 different rigs while smoking a pork shoulder and drinking copious amounts of beer. Lot to be learned there.

 

There are many videos on YouTube. Here is are some search results for brake pad replacement.

https://www.google.com/search?q=you...ment&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

Copies of the service manual are available online too. Here is once place:

https://www.ttguide.net

 

The wheel bearing will likely require a shop...they have to be pressed out/in. A local independent shop can do it for you, or like suggested above, maybe a local TW member has the tools to help. The rest of your repairs really aren't that hard. Having extra hands can come in handy with suspension, but not absolutely necessary.

 

Local help: https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/florida.45/

Get dirty and do it!

 

Cloe has some great DIY videos

https://youtu.be/x3wuQd7DJeI

 

This sounds pretty cool! Wish you lived closer.

 

this isn't entirely accurate.

a quick check on rockauto confirmed-- you can just replace the entire wheel bearing/hub assembly on the front corners, and that does bolt-on/off-- as long as the bolts agree.
for instance this moog version

$114 MOOG 515201 Wheel Bearing and Hub Assembly for Toyota Tacoma

https://www.amazon.com/MOOG-515201-Wheel-Bearing-Assembly/dp/B0CC913BGM

i had ran into the same problem with my old ranger, and just got the pre-assembled hub/bearing assembly instead. slightly more money, but it also takes the risk of pressing the bearing away from power-tool knuckleheads like me, or a shop i'm paying, and leaves it with a convenient receipt line that's easily warrantied later on if needed.