mrloyd

My rear axle seals are leaking and screwing up my brakes. I've read the tutorials and many threads but thought I'd call the local off road shop to see what they would say. I've had work done here before and was satisfied with the service and the price but this really caught me off guard. Most of the write ups say maybe 100 bucks in parts and a couple hours labor. Here's what my shop came back with. Tell me whats up people!
Quote from shop who does use all Genuine Toyota parts:
There are two seals in the rear that should be replaced, and there is no point in pulling everything down and not replacing the wheel bearings (they have to be removed to get to the outer seal). There is a chance that the ABS rings wont break when pressing everything apart, if this is the case then you wont be billed for the rings.

For both sides: Wheel bearings $75.00
Bearing retainers $72.00
Wheel seals $27.00
Shoes $75.00
ABS rings $100.00
Fluid $15.00
Labor $425.00
Total $789.00 plus tax

dannomite

Sounds like it would be easier to deal with this shop if you walk in with the lube in hand and you pants already pulled down.

brian2sun

About 6 months ago I had to have just one rear axle seal and the brakes on that side done and the bill was $300 - no bearings, but Toyota parts. Next time I'll just do it myself.

jibbles

i had to get both rear seals done. bill was about $550

TC4RNR

$600 all toyota parts.

Elton

ill do it for $200 its really not that difficult i just brought the hole axle to the shop to have it pressed apart and new stuff installed

terminator

iTrader: (1)

I just did my driver side outer seal by myself in my driveway. It's not that hard and if you're mechanically inclined you can do it. There's a write up on 4Runners.org that tells you pretty much what to do. I don't think you'll need to replace the bearings so if they're not making noise screw that. The seal is like $6 from Toyota and I didn't have to pull the bearings and ABS ring out to replace the seal. Get some gear oil and go to work. Just take your time, read the write ups and get the tools first. I've never done anything like that either and I had no problems.

However I do need to replace my rear shoes b/c the driver side was soaked with gear oil from the leaky seal. I tried to clean it up the best I could but it's still crappy, so I just need to break down and replace them.

ESQ

I did one side myself (15 bucks and 90 minutes), but due to a stripped stud on the other side, I had a fab shop do the other side. Handed them the parts (13 for seal, 5 for stud and nut, and O ring) and they did it all for under 200cdn.

The dealer price is high, but normal because they replace everything while they're in there. Not a bad practice, but perhaps unnecessary if your bearings and outer seals are fine.

Elton

mines leaking again guess it will give me a chance to fix that broken wheel stud

cosmophonic12

I had my mechanic do it for 50.00 including labor and parts. really easy to do. one thing i saw him do was lube the seal with transmission fluid and he used a seal driver. he didnt change the bearings though.

finished the job in 30 minutes.

Outsane

I hear good things about Marlin Axle seals..

I have a set I am going to be putting on my rig

brian2sun

For you guys that did it so cheap, that couldn't have included brakes too, so did you replace your seals as a precaution - or are your brakes still shot? Once a seal goes the gear oil gets all over your brakes and they are toast. There's no cleaning them, just replacing and that makes the $$ go up a lot.

cosmophonic12

double post

cosmophonic12

I caught mine before the oil saturated the brakes. otherwise the price would have went up.

I replaced my inner seal, not the o-ring seal that seals the brake drum to the axle.

brian2sun

OK, that makes sense now why yours was so cheap. From his quote, it sounds like mrloyd is going to need the the outer seals and the brakes too - like I did. I agree w/ Terminator and ESQ, shine the bearings unless they are making noise. Unless you can find someone to give you a really good deal on the labor, I think $5-600 w/o bearings is about the going price for both sides.

mrloyd

I ended up just doing it myself. Just did the inner seals and the brakes. Took a day due to my lack of experience with drums and some stubborn seals but no big deal really. Only time will tell if I needed all the other stuff but so far so good.

crolison

outer seal? If so do it yourself, anyone can do it, and it should take no time to do.

J-Ball

What?!? A leaking seal on a Toyota?!?!

I suggest you read the post that I currently have going, there's some Info in it you fellas might want to read.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/k...p-pics-189989/

Certain year 4runners have issues, and your axle will always leak unless you fix it right.

Inner seals are what is failing if your getting oil leaks, easy and cheap. Also, the 3 times I've done this I just used brake cleaner and got all the oil off the brakes.

BUT if you have a 2000 or 01 4runner you are going to have issues again unless you have the upgraded axles, bearings, and bearing case. Parts to upgrade, about $1000. Why this wasn't a recall...beats me.

Good luck guys, give 'em hell.

J-Ball

oh and fwiw, I have heard several times that Napa, Carquest etc seals are better than oem Toyota. I know my first oem bearing seal lasted one year, my second Car Quest seal (reused 1 yr old bearing) lasted one year. Again, FYI.

eddieleephd

really with the bearing and both seals at 7-15.00 a seal and $50 for the bearing and $45 for the work at a shop "to have them to press the bearing off and on" you do the math plus, the brakes. One cable and four nuts to pull the axle. About 30 minutes to pull the wheel & axle an hour for the shop to do the work and another 20 minutes to put it back plus the brake job could be worse! I was surprised at how easy it really was!!!