See my earlier posts about my rear axle leaking causing my rear brakes to lock up....
Well, it snowed about 6-7 inches today in southern NY. I came out of classes today, and jumped in my 4runner to head off and drive halfway around CT to do some house hunting for my wife. Neways, I have always loved driving in the snow, and find it to be a blast, especiall when they haven't plowed anything yet. I put the beast in 4wheel drive and came flying out of school and got on the road. I was the only guy on the road, and came out of the school going about 40 and didn't have to use my brakes until a light changed in front of me. I lightly touched the brakes, and on of my rear tires immediatly locked up, and would not come unlocked. I immediatly gave it gas to unlock the rear tire and keep myself from sliding sideways, but it didn't help. I went through the intersection sliding sideways, and giving it as much gas as possibly to get the front tires to grap and pull my in the right direction. It scare me for a second. I decided that it wasn't in my best interest to wait a couple of more weeks to change the rear axle seals, and I just got back from Autozone, so I can do it in the morning. I bought the seals form Toyota, and I got the pads from Autozone, because they were cheaper there.

I spoke with a tech at Toyota, and he told me that he didn't need to replace the wheel bearings. He told me the only thing I needed to replace was the inner seal, and the only tool I should need would just be something to grab the inner seal and pull it out.

I did do about 75miles of driving this evening around southern CT after the initial incident. I didn't touch my brakes though. I was pretty nasty on some of the back roads. There were a couple of accidnents, and I had to take some detours through some back road, and I found a couple of places where there where rows of cars parked at the bottom of some bigs hills unable to go up. I drove right past them. At one point all the traffic was turning around because a truck had gotten stuck going up a hill and jacknifed. I put it in four wheel low and drive around the truck uphill through a field.

Neways everything turned out ok and I'll update everyone tomorrow on how hard it was to replace the rear axle seals.

Adam

 

I guess this is a major problem, it happened to me to. All though, I had a chat with my warranty's adjustor who told me that he was a toyota mech for 15 years and that there is no way that the seals could leak on to the pads because there was some type of plate that blocked all that.... Anyway,I think he is full you know what and maby toyota should further look into this problem.

Keep them axle's clean!

 

My BS meter is going crazy at the moment. Its funny that he should say that, because the Toyota Mechanic that I spoke with tonight told me that it was a very common problem with 4runners and he had done quite a few of them, and it was a piece of cake etc.. When I first went to another Toyota dealer Tue., to ask about the problem, I told the service prick up front, what I thought the problem was, and it seemed to be a reaccuring issue with Toyota trucks. He got really defensive, and said that it was something that happened to all vehicles and not just Toyota. He then told me to bring it in tomorrow, and they would charge me $39 to tell me what all already new. My rear axle is leaking... Neways enough said...

Adam

 

I still stand on the side that the proper repair calls for replacing the bearing.

If the seal fails, how does the gear oil get into the brakes?

1. By traveling through the axle bearing, deluting the sealed bearings own grease.

2. By traveling around the bearing, not affecting the bearing because it is sealed.

You choose.

Is it possible If #1 is true, the bearing would wear faster, and cause excessive axle play and seal failure?

I dont have all the answers to this. I just know I always had replaced the bearing, retainer, and seal. I dont recall having one return with a problem.

Food for thought.

Jay

 

I used to have a really badass wrangler w d60's front and rear and when it was really cold the rear would lock up really good almost killed me a couple of times the fluid gets thick and does something crazy im not sure im drunk bye

 

Twisted 4 runner

Your truck looks pretty sick in your picture... post some more crazy pictures of your 4 runner & Pass me a Bud!

ps. .Is there some kind of trick to your rear axle? swivel ?hinge?