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Is there a bearing in the outer end of the side differential tube? I can't find a definitive answer. My service manual pic shows something but has no identifying label for it and the assembly instructions don't mention anything about a bearing....
Yes. I replaced mine not too long ago while rebuilding front diff.
When i pulled the bearing off the axle that is in the extension tube it was very stiff and had noticeable resistance to rolling. I figured the grease had just gone bad from lack of use, much like the bearing on the idler gear in the transfer case. But when I grabbed the new bearing it had even more resistance to rolling..
Could the new one need to be packed with grease before use? In my experience, what little bit that is, a bad bearing isn't just difficult to turn, but feels gritty, or like there are chunks in it. Hard to turn, yes, but with a chunky or gritty feel to it. I'm probably not describing it very well...
Anywho, oftimes, a bearing that's just a little stiff may just be new, and stiff, or need to be packed with the right kind of grease. If it's packed with heavy duty grease already, that may be why it's difficult to turn. You're trying to move the balls through the heavy grease. Not an easy task, sometimes.
Also, a new bearing may be just a little tight, and thus not easy to turn. With or without grease in it.
Just my personal experience. I know less than nothing about gearing systems. Diffs, tranny's, whatever. I just know the u-joints need to lubed regularly, and the transmission and differential fluids changed out regularly as well. That's the extent of my knowledge. Bearings I know from changing out the one in the oil pump. The front crankshaft bearing. And the front wheel bearings every 60 K miles or so.
Actually, the mech shop where I used to work, an Aerostat site, had a little needle with a fitting to go onto a grease gun's hose. You could stick it under the edge of the rubber seal, and pump grease in fairly easily. Being a fairly large bore needle, it would allow the grease to flow slowly, but it would flow. Watched them do it many times. Worked like a dream to get grease into "sealed" bearings.
Honest, I did. Really...
I know that it is 'possible' Pat, but it is not good practice because there are different greases used in manufacturing these bearings depending on their type of service
and different greases are sometimes not compatible. Might get ya by in a pinch though.
Last edited by millball; Aug 26, 2022 at 02:36 PM.
I have made a needle attachment for my grease gun and lubed "sealed" bearings before. Usually in smaller size ones though. Worked for a minute but I've found it's best to just replace the damn thing. They come sealed for a reason.
Educate me on removing the differential axle shaft. As I see it, it's just pushed in and "held" in by a clip. Just pull harder.....LOL?
No, the bearing comes packed, and is double shielded. The extension tube is a dry environment, so the bearing isn’t bathed in gear oil. There is no odd feel to the bearing rotation, just stiff. I’m sure it’s fine, I just mention it so when you get yours out you know what to expect.
I have a needle tip for my grease gun, too, but there’s no need to use it.
Got mine out. Greases with the needle point. Solved the noise for a minute. Now to replace the bearing. Had a hell of a time getting out it. Axle shaft wouldn't pop out. Ended up unbolting tube housing with axle shaft in. Once on the bench it finally came out with a BFH. Is this the same bearing used in the rear axles?
Amayama can be a great deal on bearings. They'll also give you alternatives. Often times its the same bearing in a Koyo box rather than a Toyota box.
The only hitch is it can take a few weeks, and its best to order several bearings to make the shipment price worthwhile. The cool thing is as you add parts to your cart it keeps adjusting shipping cost, so you see the impact.
Millball, yes I saw your part numbers the first time and I thank you for them. Can't seem to find it at any of the regular places. It's like it doesn't exist. My FSM just pretends it doesn't exist also, see pic. Lol.
The factory manual sometimes makes it fun to find info, like torque specs, but it’s usually all there.
look in section FA(front axle), page 67 in the FSM. that should have the extension tube
Aug 24, 2022 | 06:57 PM
