Taro

I just bought a TRD axle housing and locker from this guy. I have a suspicion that the housing is bent based on what the guy told me. He said he replaced it because gear oil was leaking out of one side and he would carry very heavy loads.

I figure I got a good deal based on the locker/motor alone but...

Is there a way to tell if the housing is bent?


My truck is a non-trd so I need a housing too.

Thanks

whokrz

If it is bent very bad it is normally visibly noticeable. Leaking gear oil at the wheel could be as simple as replacing the oil seal. I carried heavy loads in a 97 4runner and had this problem at 150k.

If the axle looked visibly straight I would make sure the bearings are not super wobbly, replace the oil seal at both ends and throw it under the truck. Then if it wore my tires uneven I would look into it a little more. This is what I would do and I drive a beat up rattle trap so take it for what it is worth.

The non-trd differential (8.4) is also considerably stronger than the elocker differential. In order to have a selectable locker in a 8.4 you are probably looking at a arb. The cost is probably muck greater than your current build but I thought I would bring it up as a stronger option. Here is more info on toyota differentials. http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/

Taro

Thanks. The ARB would be nice but the cost is whats stopping me on that. I paid $100 for this axle today. I'll check the bearings and buy new seals and run it. Hopefully it holds together. It came off a street queen prerunner so I doubt the locker has much wear, that's a plus.

I will have to swap the ABS parts over though. Its a non ABS axle.

Based on what he told me, I think he was loading 1000# in that truck. He works at a warehouse.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

That weight is nothing I load that much pretty often.

In hauling Firewood!!

If it was loaded like that and they were dropping off curbs and other things all time it could happen.

It would tend to do more damage to the suspension then the axle housing.

If the vent was plugged it would push gear oil out past the seals

Taro

I torn it apart in preparation for new seals. I found that the previous owner "attempted" to replace the seals. There are tool marks suggesting an attempt to install a seal with an improper tool. Of course he didn't disclose that fact.

But this may be a good thing. Perhaps he tried to do the seals himself and just gave up.