99 4Runner Axle replacement
 

Hello,
I have had 6 rear axle seals blow out in the past year. Les Schwab did a exam on the axle and said there is a slight run in the axle that may be causing the seal to wear and leak.

I found a used axle, pulled with the ABS ring and bearing already on it for $85.00.

Anyone have any advice on the replacement? Is it pretty easy to switch out? or anything I need to keep an eye out for?

Thanks!

I have a 1999 Toyota 4Runner. V6. 16" Wheels. ABS. 4x4

its pretty simple just make sure you replace the seals

I am just curious who was doing the seal replacement on the axle? Did they give a warranty for their work? I hope you did not have to replace the bearings, abs ring, and such six times as well.

There was a good write up by a top notch member last month. Here it is:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/r...ng-bad-215406/

If you have the $$$ and do not presently have an electric locker, think about changing out axles to one with a locker. Not too hard to do.

Actually. My car does have a rear differential locker on it.

Les Schwabs did the seal. It is just the inner seal that keeps leaking - so they replaced that 6 times. The rest of it was not replaced.

So, on this axle - am I going to have to pay a machine shop to replace the seal and re-press the bearing and ABS ring on?

the seal no.. the abs and bearings and such yah you will... but make sure if you install the seal you have something either the same diameter as the seal so it won't warp, or you get a seal press kit from harbor freight or something for like $20. but otherwise pull old axle shaft/ brake roter out. take that and new axle shaft to your shop of choice and say swap it out. they should do the work.. you pay labor.. and go back home and re install.

CLICK ME (axle seal replacement writeup)

So, would I be better off buying an axle with nothing on it? since I am going to have to replace it all anyways?

yes you would be

well your replacing the seals... $7 a piece from the stealership, and one shaft? as long as the bearings are good and you do everything but pressing the bearings and everything it should come out decently cheap under $300... especially cause a new axle may require ALOT of work. and you dont know how the guts are on it as well.

i think hes only replacing the axle on one side, not the whole rear end

That writeup only covers the seal in the tube.

There are actually 3 seals per side. One inside the tube, one huge rubber O-ring, and the actual shaft seal which is mounted under the backing plate between the bearing and the end of the axle. He WILL have to install a new seal if he replaces the bearing on either side. He will also have to buy a new snap ring, and lock collar.

I had one leak. Had seals done on both. Same one leaked a couple months later. Brought it in for warranty and then they check to see if it's bent. Got used one for $30 installed it used seals and all. No problems 4 months and counting.

wow. I thought I was getting a deal at $85. I wished I could find one at $30.
However, the rest of your news is promising.

The first time I had someone do the presswork they didn't realize there weren't spacers and just pressed everything on without paying attention to where it was supposed to go.
That caused the thing to leak and I ended up having to pull both axles so the shop could compare the good side and press the other to match. They grudgingly did the job with new parts on their dime the second time 'round, my argument being that they botched the job and I had to do the extra research to find the problem, labor and legwork to get the axles to them and then back in my truck.
Scary thing was they do a lot of the same work for the local Toyota dealership and was recommended by them.

Anyway, it's something I'd watch for if there's a leak and the reason isn't very obvious, 4Runner axles being so easy to pull.

Scary thing was they do a lot of the same work for the local Toyota dealership and was recommended by them

very important to find small toyota shop and have them do the work!!!

as far as this axle you may have the ability to use a file and remove any defects!!

Find A GOOD SMALL YOTA SHOP AND OR MECHANIC !!!!!!!!! You will find this to be some of the best advice you will get!!! Les Schwab is great for American cars but not toyota a good mechanic would have only done it twice because he would have checked it for defects when you brought it back the first time!!! sure they may charge the first time but it would end up being less in the end!!!

In my case there are no small yota specialists in my area. I have found a better machine shop since, the one I used to use had gone out of business which was why I tried a shop recommended by the local Yota dealership and a Mercy mech I know.
Anyway, I put that out there as a possibility that the seal's leaking because the bearing isn't in the right position.

there is a possibility that the seal's leaking because the bearing isn't in the right position,
as well there is a possibility that there is a bur sticking up and a simple file can knock it out..
as well if it isn't in the right position in the housing this can create the issue.

how are you finding the leak in the first place is the outer bad as well??

good question to ask is have you checked the breather tube to see if it was clogged??? If it is it could force oil past the seals and there may be no issue with the seals.......

Thanks. For me, we changed the bearing out to check to see if it's the bearing causing the issue. Also, They claimed they checked the breather tube. But, I have not yet. I think I will definitely check that when I change out the shaft.
They did find there is a slight run in the axle that could "possibly" cause the seal to be damaged. So, I am hoping that is the solution.

Thanks for the help and advice.

The only other thing I've heard of that blows seals is the breather on the rear differential.
I've had my seals look like they literally blew out from a clogged breather.

Kenny S>

For me the bearing is what went bad, the seal was not leaking but I did put a new one in anyway. It started leaking after installation. After trying a second seal and that failing too is when I took a harder look and noticed things weren't quite right. I pulled the other axle, confirmed the suspicion and went from there. I hadn't bothered checking the first time, trusting that since the dealership had no problem and they'd done many 3rd gen axles for them there was no worries. Silly me...

If they are pressing the bearing all the way down it won't matter how many new ones they try, the seal can't seal it.