Have you replaced rear axle bearings? What mileage?

Base Reg Cab, 5 lug, auto trans, 4 cyl:
Curious if the rear axel bearings on the Tacoma fail at a predicable ODO. Mine started making noise about 100K. Took me awhile to pin it down to the rear axel, only loud at 70+ MPH but can’t hear it jacked up on stands. Looking for info and cautions on Both Axel Remove/Replace, as the actual bearing RR is beyond me now. Seems the entire rear end is available, but much too heavy at 75 Yrs. Have other trucks gone much farther or is it a routine fail point? Thanks

 

100k seems very low, you sure?

 

Remove the axle and take it to a driveline shop or Toyota dealer, they will replace it with the press tools.

They arent common, most fail due to axle seal leaks. No mileage specifically for noise.

 

Well sure as I can be now, have had 2 Mx drive and listen since can’t hear the “beat” until on the road. At/Above 70mph it gets even louder! Didn’t mention on OP, but have lived with it way too long, and close to 140K now. Really bugging me. Looked at the youtube on DIY bearing RR with the special press tool, as shops don’t really want the job here. Thinking about replacing both axels as DIY is possible.

 

No Leakage seen.
Have 1 shop that will give me a quote on the parts and press work if I bring in the axels. Hope for an answer soon on that. Considering The Dorman after market parts, and even junkyard parts if low mile. But those are risky compared to RR with new OEM parts.

 

Follow up,… for your enjoyment!
Finally realized this job was a real PITA, and not going to happen very well in my garage, so bit the bullet!
The shop I’d talked to previously advised best to just give them the job, I did. It was WELL worth it, and can’t believe I put it off sooooo long. The quiet ride is amazing!!

 

Well, I'll be damned. That does seem like low mileage for a failure like that. I'm at 158,xxx miles now and have only replaced the front bearings. I don't haul very often but I do pull a big trailer on occasion and every now and then my wife has the local Earth First dump a ton of rock in the back.

As a side ramble, I've heard people complain about our Tacos using a unit bearing for the front. I like it, when it goes bad, I can replace it without a press.

 

Well. Mines an 08. Just saw a video of a 4runner from 2004 needing it because rear left was making huge symptoms. So hopefully mine doesn’t.

could do it preventatively. But it looks like a pain. Potentially special tools to remove, install, and hydraulic shop press.