SurlyJohn

When I engage my 4WD and get on the gas there is a definate vibration in the front axle that comes up through the steering wheel. I'm not a great drivetrain troubleshooter, I know engines mostly. I know of a great alignment shop in Aloha, Oregon, Alignment Specialties and I'm going to take it over there to have it looked at soon.
If I have to replace that front axle, would a "1993 Toyota 4-WD IFS Frontend, complete from hub to hub 4:10 gear ratio, also will include the front sway bar."
Will this swap in my 1992 4runner directly? Also, how difficult a job is to do?
Any recommendations of shops that do this would be great also. Don't know if my alignment guy does axle swaps.
I can get that Axle for $150 for everything, fair price???

Thanks, the info is appreciated....

AxleIke

How bad is this vibration?

It is pretty unlikely that you will need to replace the differential at all. A blown diff and/or stub axles would have grinding noises assosiated with it. Loud ones.

You may need to replace your CV axles, which are like 70 bucks from AutoZone after you bring your old ones back in.

Likely this is alignment/steering related. 4wd puts more stress on the front end,which is likely why you only feel it in 4wd. Have the shop check it out. Be wary if they tell you to replace the diff.

CyMoN

have you greased the front drive shaft?
if it has not been greased in a long time it can cause this symptom.

SurlyJohn

This 4runner sat for a long time before I got it. Greasing the fittings is a good idea. I'll get a grease gun and some lithium grease for them tonight at the parts store. Anything to solve this issue, 4wd is a nice feature to be able to use.

CyMoN

get the mobile1 grease its good stuff

Kaleb

Yeah definitely grease those. Also shake your drive shaft. If it wiggles even a little bit replace the u joints.

ssupercoolss

in my experience it is most likely your front driveshaft. grease it up, try that first. next take the driveshaft out of the vehicle, lock the hubs and go drive around. (no, this wont hurt anything). if the vib is gone, either your u joints are shot, driveshaft is out of balance, or the driveshaft is out of phase.
i would start looking at the driveshaft first though, and not the front diff.

SurlyJohn

I had two Jeeps when I was a teenager, A CJ-5 and then a CJ-7 when I went to college. I worked on the driveline for that vehicle and it was about the same kind of work. Thanks for the tips, I'll get some Mobil 1 syth grease for this gun and grease the line.
I was thinking U joints also since it seems to shake under acceleration, and only slightly when coasting.
As always, you guys are great. Many thanks.