OK, need your guys help - have a 99 4 runner SR5 4 cyl that had a howling rear end - went to order bearings, the dealership said the VIN indicated a diff lock which it did not have - finally got the right bearing set from a jobber (BK TV6) and got it all together and discovered now that howl gone, I had a clicking. Pulling apart again, I discovered the side gear thrust washers needed to jump a couple sizes to get rid of backlash which was causing the clicking by the spider gears moving towards centre (have I lost you yet?) The manual I have indicates 5 sizes of shims, I have the 0.039 and it appears I need 0.047 to remove slack. Again calling a jobber to order shims, they say there is only one shim for that year rear end and its 1.6 mm (I need 1.2) Question is what do I have in order to track down shims? Previous owner was a Toyota mechanic so I assume the original crapped out and he stuffed in something he had kicking around. Thanks for any help.
Neil

 

Um...you can order the parts online from an OEM parts distributor. I just checked one of them, and they have all 5 sizes available(.9,1.0,1.1,1.2,1.3).

The part number for the 1.2mm size is 41361-35340.

PS, way to go on that thread title...identifying mystery 3rd member...WTF?

 

Thanks Mudhippy - googled part number and a couple OEM suppliers popped up - cheap too - might order a couple sizes and test for fit. (will also punch in my VIN to see if matches) Why the jobber was getting bad info escapes me. OK, I have had a 0 to 60 learning curve on rebuilding diffs and lots of references to third member. What exactly is the third member - the diff? the axle? Some guy exposed to too much radiation?

 

lol... the 3rd is the diff, they call it a 3rd member because its a whole unit, unlike chevy and ford, you dont pull the back cover, and pull the parts out that way, instead, u simply pull the axles, then unbolt the 3rd from the front, and slide it out, then tear into it on a bench.

 

Ahh, I have finally learned something today - I can now grab a beer, turn on the TV and wait for parts.
Thanks!