I tried to get at the bearings to repack/ inspect on my daughters 4Runner 1987 stock SR5 with Automatic Locking Hubs. I was following the manual that I have which is actually a 1985 but very close everywhere else.

I got the cone washers off and removed the auto hub and then the manual says "remove the three torx screws that hold the "Brake assembly in" after spinning the retaining spring to the position to access the torx" My problem is that I can only get the torx screw on the top (and even that won't come all the way out) , the other two are partially covered by a ring of some type. I even removed the retaining spring altogether and still can't even get on the torx. I know all you serious off roaders get rid of these hubs and switch to manual hubs but I can't do that right now, I just want to repack or replace the bearings because they are loose and she drives it to school and it is a little loose now. I'll try to attach a good close up pic of what is in the way of the torx. Thanks Jim
Link to pics http://www.freshcreativeinc.com/Bear...spring_out.jpg
http://www.freshcreativeinc.com/Bear...erall_view.jpg

 

There's a step in between.

3. Remove Hub Body (done)
4. Remove Brake Subassembly
a) Using a screwdriver, pry out the snap ring.
CAUTION: Never strike brake shoe with the screwdriver; always apply the screwdriver to the brake drum to remove the snap ring.
b) Remove the brake subassembly
4. Remove Brake Drum
Using a torx socket, remove the screws and the drum.

 

download this: http://granolaboy.net/temp/toyota_tr...4runner_88.pdf

page 882

 

I posted the diagram from page 882. Prying out snap ring. In my first posted pic is the chrome/silver ring the "snap Ring"? We did tap on that as the pic shows and it didn't budge. Not sure what is the snap ring to remove. Here is the diagram.
http://www.freshcreativeinc.com/Bear...g_SnapRing.png

and the close up photo to compare
http://www.freshcreativeinc.com/Bear...spring_out.jpg

Thanks

 

on the second pic in your last post you can see at the top of the hub body there is a flat spot. insert a small thin screwdriver b/w that and the metal of the hub body and the plastic insert will slid out. that is all that is covering the torx screw heads. be careful as this is a plastic piece than can break easily. pm if you have and other questions and i will take pics of mine. i removed mine today to replace with manual hubs.

 

OK I updated that picture with where I think you are saying to insert screwdriver. Could you re view it and tell me if I am right about where to pry?
I didn't remember any of the parts being plastic on our 87 though
http://www.freshcreativeinc.com/Bear...spring_out.jpg

 

Oh yeah, save your old parts for now, I might break something and need to buy from someone.
Thanks