I got a 98 4 runner, and moving to another province. For the new inspection it was found my rear drivers side seal was leaking and the diff oil could be seen even on the rim.

So i took it to the local dealer for repairs.... They are quoting over 1000$ for repairs, 6 hour of labour, replace pads due to oil, rear berings, seals and a spacer.

Is this a ok price, or am i getten gouged? I really dont have that much $ to throw into her right now with the move, but i need it safetied.

If i park her for now, can i do the repairs myself when i get my house and tools, is it a hard job to do? What would be involved?

PLEASE HELP!

 

If you have tools, you can do it yourself. There's a writup on here that shows you exactly how to do it.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f128/replacing-rear-axle-seals-3rd-gen-4runner-76339/

However, the bearing work would need to be farmed out.

FWIW, I paid $200 for seals/brakes (super cheap), and I remember another member paying over $600US to have it done.

 

There is a lot of information here on the site about this, as it is a VERY common problem.

I just replaced my oil seal and brake shoes last week. Since it was only one side, I only needed to replace that side.

The seal was $10, and the shoes were $25. It took me 4 hours, but, I was working slow and bent my first seal.

Here is a how-to-do link in the Tech Forum:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76339

I would say to try it yourself. All you need is a jack, jackstands, some sockets (with a breaker bar since the 4 nuts are tight) and a large socket or other round thing to push the new seal in. (About the same circumference of a soda can).

For the brake shoes, its annoying. Getting the return spring in/out is a big PIA. I think I would rather pay someone $50 to do it.

 

$1000 for the repairs and 6 hours? I say it is too much. Time and $$ (Cdn currency?)

I would first remove the axle shaft and determine of the bearing actually needs replaced and go from there. Guesses are you only need a $15 dollar seal and at most 1hr of your time.

Parts alone shouldn't cost more then a c-note for everything they said you needed.

 

I bent my first seal, luckily I met a honda service tech that showed me a trick to fixing the seal.

Get one of these: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=35555

Remove the ABS magnet and you should be able to get it in on the first shot. Also, autozone sells the seal for about $6, napa/meyers sells it for $3. Think its a timken 1960 but check the guides in the other posts to be sure.

 

Thanks for the help guys! I took it of the dealer, they charged me 100$ to tell me that the seal was gone duhhhhh.... I had a bad moment and got a little upset.... It wouldn’t of been so bad if they told me up front they were going to charge for a quote... 1.2 hrs at 80/hr.... Not to happy , i wont be back there.

I will give it a shot myself i think, thanks for the help. I usually take time to look threw threads b4 i post a question but i was in a bit of a pinch for getting it inspected and the dealer wanting to do it, and still living in a hotel using a common pc in the hotel lobby... Be nice to get into my house on Tuesday, 2 weeks of hotels SUCK!

Will it need pads, or can they be cleaned up with brake cleaner? They are only 4 months old and the warranty shop is about 8 hours away and not in the new province ive moved to (no outlets I can find) :-( As well the dealer said i need a outer seal, and showed me a diagram of what it is. Its to do with trucks with abs, and its packed with the bearings they said. Do i need to worry about this other seal? I will pick up a oil seal and a O ring today. Anyone in the Montreal area know a good parts place?

Once again guys THANKS!! You saved me enough for either a SS LC/Tacoma lift kit, or the TJM bumper!

 

Just replace the seal and shoes on the side that is leaking. The shoes will need to be replaced as the grease really absorbes into the shoes!

Also, that seal driver is a good thing to buy, however you can make your own for under $2!! Buy the seal, and bring it into the hardware store. Find a couple of washers that are the same size diameter. Find two that are the same diameter of the inside of the seal, and a 6" long bolt and a corresponding nut. Put them all together and you ahve a perfect "punch" to push in the new seal w/o bending it!

I bent my first seal trying to drive it in with a large socket. The socket was just a little too small and bent the seal easily.

 

how do you know if the outer/bearing seal is intact and functioning properly, doesn't the diff fluid pass through it taking the bearing grease with it?

 

At the least the bearing will need to be repacked with grease, since the oil leak washed it out. The cheap route is to take the brake drum off and use gasoline or solvent to clean out all the oil residue and any sign of leakage. Then quickly get it inspected, since it'll take a day or so for the leak to show.....

 

Got her apart.... 2 oil seals later i have to go buy another... whats the trick? I tried the large washer witha big bolt.... i guess try try and try again!!

If the bearing needs to be repacked, how do i do that? Is ther a easy way not tearing it all apart?

BruceTS : what type of hellas are those on your tjm bumper?