Rear bearing help.

Those are both ABS axles in my pic above.

I agree with you on not flipping the inner retainer ring. Just press it on slightly, and check where it's running on the seal with a little grease. Easy to press on further if needed.

 

Yeah I took that new ring, inserted in the new seals week ahead of time...let them loosen up/condition...
even stuck in deep freeze last 24.....

Everything slid together well, two months out and no leaks......

If get it wrong, not that hard to redo......however probably cost you a set of pads though.....

I dont put many miles on mine a year... 5K or 6K..so it will be a long time either way for me....
That seal redesign hasnt been out that long......we'll see....
It looks like the 4-runners found this problem quick...
Pure daily commuters maybe immune from this....

I can tell you this......at 170K mine on a rwd... just starting to leak......
unless that was residue from when they broke in....


I do keep an extra one of those seals handy......because of that......I'll never need the SOB......

 

The Timmy vids are great. If you also want something you can print out as a step-by-step, this is a good walkthrough of the process, so you aren't constantly trying to jump to/pause the video, etc. as you do the work. Also has the full list of parts/tools/SSTs, etc. As others have said - the SSTs cost a bit of money, but at least for me (PNW), even purchasing them to do the job once would have been cheaper than having a shop do it. And the job isn't hard, it just requires precision with some of the pressing.

Step-by-Step Replacing Rear Axle Seal & Bearing w/ABS (1st gen Tacoma or 3rd gen 4Runner)

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Ya, I already bought the tool. I've done wheel bearings in the past a bunch of times with zero instructions or special tools. The ol Dremel and chisel works a treat. Then use the old split race and a BFH to seat the new one. Now I have a press and the axle bearing tool. This will be a breeze.