Hey everyone I have wanted a 4 runner for some time now and am very happy to have just purchased a 1998 sr5 with 160,000k for a decent price. With that being said I have several issues I would like to have your input on. Thanks in advance as I know many of the members have been very diligent in their responses.

1) I noticed an intermittenent grinding comming from the rear, I am pretty sure it is the break shoes getting hung up, I just had them replaced and now it is much worse? (also left side is hot to touch via me feeling the drum) ***
This is really driving me crazy I have had the shoes adjusted twice now to no avail!

2) the trans seems to be leaking from the front (or maybe rear seal) maybe a quart per month. Can I continue to refill- or should I have it fixed? Also trans oil looks dirty, but do not know when it was last changed- to change or not to change? (oil is leaking on to steering rack-as a reference point) Shifts fine.

3) Since I had the rear breaks replaced, my abs is kicking in way to much-almost every time I come to a complete stop? I am about to pull the fuse out of shear annoyance.

4) rear axel seal- had it replaced, but still looks like it is leaking I changed the breather to after searching this thread and am now confused.

With that being said I love the truck, ride quality, handling etc. But I am a bit perplexed at this time- all I want to is take it for a nice trail ride, but I can't in good faith until it is working better. I have some knowledge of cars/suvs as my father was a mechanic, but these seem to be very specific issues. Any advise would be helpful.

 

can't help on the brakes (i've quickly removed every set of drums on a car i've owned).

in regards to the transmission, i'm assuming a manual trans, replace the fluid. if your not sure when it was done last, you should definately do it. I try to replace the fluid in manuals every 24-30000 km, or yearly. but it's just what i've always done. the seal, you are definately better off having it replaced. it's only going to worsen over time, and if you happen to run it to low, you're putting pre-mature wear on everything. a quart a month is a LOT for a transmission to leak.

 

Take it back to the mechanic who was supposed to fix it all in the first place.

:wabbit2:

 

I believe all your braking issues can be attributed to the leaking rear axle seal. Replace with marlin crawler HD seal. Proper install is key, dont let the axle shaft rest on the seal during install.

Power wash and degrease the trans and find leak. Replace seal.