moosetrek

I'm brand new to the site, and to older Toyota's. I've had an 87 4x4, but that's it for Toyota trucks. I recently picked up an 81 4WD short bed pretty reasonably, it runs and drives but the Birfields (sp?) are leaking somethin' bad. I've looked around the site, but can't seem to find the part numbers or a good description to give the auto parts stores to order the seals/etc. The dealership has a kit for $135 - is that pretty reasonable? Also, timewise how long shoudl I plan for the repacking and replacing the seals? I'm guessing a good 6-8 hrs for both sides? I'm reasonably handy and have most tools...?

Thanks

Tofer

if they are leaking, you'll want to do a knuckle rebuild. Trail-gear sells rebuild kits. http://www.trail-gear.com/knuckle-service.html. as does Marlin and all-pro i believe.

I am trail-gear dealer so if you want to go with their kit let me know and I can hook you up. you'll also want to pick up the 54mm socket from trail-gear as well, unless you already have one.

i always follow the 4crawler write up on how to rebuild the axles... super easy to follow. http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...eRebuild.shtml

904_runner

X2.

i recommend the 4crawler writeup to everyone i know.
I have also ordered through tofer before as well. Super quick transaction!

You will also need a brass punch. TO get the old races out and the new ones in.

As for a little trick i use to get cone washers off. I loosen the nut so the top of that sits level with teh end of the stud, and then hit the top of it with a hammer. The cones pop right off.

BLKNBLU

iTrader: (1)

Here are a couple to get you started
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/mainte...nd/solid_axle/
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f115...ctures-180536/
$135 is good if you're getting bearings with that.

Otherwise you can get this from Trailgear. WaskillyWabbit here is a vendor.
(scroll down the link a bit)
http://www.trail-gear.com/knuckle-service.html
Also available from Marlin (but apparently out of stock corrently)
I like their seals though. I have the TG ones in front and the Marlins in rear. Both are fine for now. You don't need the Marlins, they're just real nice.
http://www.marlincrawler.com/axle/fr...xle-seal-hilux

Good luck

904_runner

I put the marlin rebuild kit in my axle, with the heavy duty seals and haven't had a problem yet... Been driving on it since january.

I rebuilt my buddys axle with the TG kit that came with his sas kit, and everything is holding up well for him.. (he also used the marlin HD inner axle seals.

At first i thought the TG bearings seemed of lower quaility, but compairing them to a factory toyota bearing it seemed nearly identical.

That being said i hear people are happy with both kits. Either way you go, you will be good to go!

skooterbumm

Do you need the bushing that TG shows? Im getting ready to do this repair myself. Thanks

Tofer

if your brass bushing is shot then yes, but they normally dont go bad very quickly.

moosetrek

Cool - thanks for the replies. I'll work on it this weekend, is there anything wrong with the dealership kit? I figure the original lasted this many miles/years... Plus it's local if I need advice or help. A little more $, but not too much.

skooterbumm

One more question... is it nesicary to dis assemble the birfield?

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Generally not, may want to clean it out well to get all the dirt and gear oil out of it, then refill with clean fresh grease.

skooterbumm

does it need cv grease or just good hi temp grease

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

I usually filled mine with CV joint grease, after all a Birfield joint is a CV joint.

skooterbumm

do i pack the upper and lower knuckle bearing with the same... im a little confused

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

If I have any left over I'll use that or else just good old wheel bearing grease for the knuckle bearings:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri....shtml#Rebuild

skooterbumm

thanks for the help. I read that but didnt see where it specified what type of grease to use.

moosetrek

OK a quick update - due to time limits, I had to go with nothing but replacing the inner axle seals; the rest of the kit would not have arrived in time. One of the messier jobs I've done, but it's finished. I used bearing grease, as that's what I had available, and cleaned/packed, etc. everything I could. So far it looks good, I might have to go back and redo the whole thing later but since this is just my beater farm truck I'm not too worried. The carb rebuild and exhaust leak are more important. Day one (the first axle) was a pain, day two only took about 2 hrs start to finish. Then I replaced diff oil and trans fluid with 80W90 from Checkers, and she was good to go...

Thanks for everyone's help!