Need some opinions

I have a 98 3.4l 5-speed 4wd taco with 301k miles.
TLDR: Noticed that the flange on the rear diff is off center. is this normal?
I have been having some issues with my taco for about a year now. I do drive my taco pretty hard (on and off the road) but I maintain the engine really well. About a year ago I was out of town and my alternator died. I took it to a mechanic I don't know to get it replaced. They insisted my rear drums needed to be adjusted and that my center support bearing was bad. I had them adjust the brake drums and my truck ever since has been shaking pretty bad when braking at speed.

I replaced the center bearing support (the center bearing on the drive shaft) and couldn't tell a difference in vibrations while driving. I have taken it to my personal mechanic multiple times now and they say the brakes are just fine and wouldn't do anything unless I insisted they do it like align my wheels. They said they couldn't get the passenger side rear wheel aligned. Problem still persists.

Had the clutch blow up on me a few months ago. The clutch squeaked really bad when fully engaged and what was weird was with it fully engaged once you accelerated it would feel like something shifted in the driveline by a few inches then accelerate. I got the clutch replaced and have had a piss poor experience ever since. I had to take it back because the clutch cylinders where bad and they replaced that. It started squeaking again when fully engaged and the transfer case was leaking near the 4wd shifter. They insisted the clutch fork needed lube. Stopped squeaking for awhile and now my clutch feels fucked up again. inconsistent bite point (the point at where the clutch pedal is when the clutch engages). Inconsistent pressure needed to disengage the clutch and it squeaks on and off and definitely slips sometimes.

The only real modifications to my truck are a cutout exhaust and a CAI. I won't lie this makes me drive it a bit harder and probably hurt my never replaced parts more.

I noticed a week ago a decent loss of power when accelerating (not crazy but not normal for WOT). I don't think it is an issue regarding the engine. Clutch feels nice and inconsistent. Transfer case leak started again around the 4wd knob. breather tubes are clear. Fixed it myself this time (for now).

My leaf spring are pretty clapsed and I know this clutch is gonna need some work again soon or be replaced again (with its other important components!!!). I believe they never replaced the throw-out bearing and this has in turned ruined my new clutch a lot faster. I want to do it myself but not sure if I have all of the tools required to install a new clutch or atleast look at it. My biggest fear is having to replace the tranny but I'm tryna keep this truck running for my whole life (never has let me down except that clutch blowing up). I'm not the most mechanically inclined person but I'm a pretty fast learner. I would love to hear any of yawls' opinions on the things going on with my taco and the things I should end up replacing after being abused on and off the road. I've really been wanting to spend my money on some mods because I have it now but I want my baby to be functioning correctly before I do that. She looks like a solid beater. I will ad a pic of it lol.

 

I don't have any advice, but Timmah has a video on dropping the transmission and replacing the clutch/flywheel/bearings. Its a 2 part video both just under an hour long but very valuable IMO. I'm about to do the same in my truck myself. Just picked up a transmission jack from harbor freight.

 

You can do it, don’t sell yourself short. Now the bigger problem to me is having the place to do it. Watch the above mentioned video and take tons of pics as you disassemble.

 

Did they resurface the flywheel when you had the clutch replaced? Is there any chatter as the clutch starts to engage? That could account for premature wear. From your symptoms it sounds like either the clutch fork or TO bearing is binding. Loss of power would likely be from clutch slipping from either not being fully engaged or from crappy contact surfaces between the pressure plate and flywheel or clutch plate.

 

How the heck can you not get the passenger rear wheel aligned? It's a straight axle...there is no adjustment possible only on one side....

Honestly you need to go to another mechanic and get them to look at the brakes, clutch, and leaks.