Well I get the pleasure of changing a outboard rear diff bearing (wheel bearing) in my 1st gen 4Runner tomorrow. Anyone have any guidance or helpful hints?

 

I've changed a 2nd Gen but not a 1st. I would expect them to be similar. It's easy and just like a Ford 9". Take the brake assembly off and then pull the axle retaining plate and the axle will slide right out of the housing. May take a couple of tugs to break the axle free of the differential and this is where a slide hammer hooked on the axle can help. I took mine to a shop and had them press the old bearing off and the new one on. You really need a press to do the job although some people on the list may argue that point!

Be sure to change the seal in the axle housing too. I cleaned up the seal surface on the axle with some emery cloth and then put new grease on the seal before installing the axle. When reinstalling the axle, don't ding the new seal. You may also have to rotate the axle slightly to get the splines to seat in the diff.

I found myself changing the bearing on the other side about a month later by the way! I guess they were both done at 125K miles. Job took about an hour on each side. One little tip to make brake bleeding easier. I use little rubber vacuum plugs to cover the open metal brake lines. Keeps fluid from leaking out and makes life easier.

 

Any suggestions on a type of shop that would be able to press off and on the bearing and a rough guess on the cost?

 

a friend of mine took his axles down to a local auto parts store, and they pressed on new bearings and seals for around $100, that included the price of bearings and seals

 

I'd bought my bearings separately and took them to the local machine shop. It took about 10 minutes and I think they charged me $20 a side. Any auto parts shop or machine shop that has a press should be able to do it for you.

 

Thanks everyone, got it done and the runner is back to new

 

You will want to read this whole thread. Be sure to read all the LINKS.

Rear axel seal is leaking... 3rd gen 4runner