Hey guys so looking for a little advice on my 86 4runner. My rear diff has been whining so picked up a spare and going to put it on next weekend. My question is what else should I look to replace while I'm at it? My plan so far is rear diff, extend rear diff breather, new brake pads and shoes. Should I look at replacing axle seals? Or wheel bearings? If so can this be done without special pullers or presses? Or is all this unnecessary?

Any advice is much appreciated, thanks!

 

Just keep clean fluid in is about all I would recommend along with the diff extender. If the seals are not leaking, I would not worry about it. The seal that goes in the axle housing is easy to replace. You can rent the tool for free from the part store or I just hook it with an L shaped tool with a slide hammer it comes out easy. Might could even use some vise grips and get a good grip and pull it out.

If it is the seal on the axle, you will need a press to get it done. I have never changed the seal or bearing on the axle but understand it can be a pain in the rear. Myself if the bearings are not causing any issues, I would leave them alone.

 

There are three seals on each end of the axle: an inner (in the axle housing), an outer (in the wheelbearing retainer), and an O-ring (between the housing and the retainer). The outer is more of a dust seal and is a bit difficult to change, because the axleshaft has to come out. The inner and O-ring are much easier and yeah, now would be a good time to do them, but it's reasonable to ignore them until they actually leak.

Don't bother with the wheelbearings unless they're bad, which is pretty uncommon.