I am about to replace the rear differential (third member) on my 99 SR5 4Runner. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions. It seems like it should be pretty easy. Basically, remove brakes and axles, then third member should come right out, right?

Thanks,
Noel

 

make sure to remove the driveline and unbolt the third member, or it could be quite a struggle

 

It's pretty easy. just break all the nuts loose first and then remove all of them but leave the top two for last. that way there's two there to keep it from dropping out on you just in case. I just did this about two months ago. I used my floor jack to sit it on and pull it out and out from under the vehicle. it's not really heavy but it's heavy enough that it will come crashing down if you try to pull it out unsupported. Plug the break lines off when you undo the line from the wheel cylinder. it's not necessary to pull the whole shoe assembly apart, you can pull the axle out without disassembling that. just undo the break line. be careful while pulling the axles to so you don't damage the inner seals. Also when you pull the 3rd, be very careful because that ring gear is sharp and if it drops on your hand or a finger it might "smart" a tad bit. also it would be wise to go to the store and pick up a few extra bolts and nuts, bolts in case you strip a stud, I did. I think they are M6x1 threads but I don't quite remember. I had to get a buddy to tote me to pepboys to grab some bolts and nuts because the ones that are on there are really crappy. don't over torque them, it's easy to do since they are so crappy. I ended up replacing all the nuts with strong ones just because and two studs I stripped I replaced with 3/4" bolts so that incase the drain plug ever gets stuck I can just drain from there, yes one of them is on the bottom.

That's all I can think of right now, If I think of more I'll post again. good luck, it's not difficult to do it's just heavy work.

 

Haha, I just noticed where you lived and was going to offer to come over and lend a hand, shoot da chiznit, or something but it's about what a 2 hour drive, haha.

 

Keisur,
Thanks for the tips and for the offer to help.

Kyle - Good one. I left myself wide open on that one.

I found a third member off of a 97 4Runner with 18K miles on car-parts.com. It should be here early next week.

Thanks,
Noel

 

how much did you pay for it?

 

I want to know too because I still have mine (4.10 open) and doen't have a clue what price to ask for it.

 

i think about 200 bucks would probably be fair

 

I paid $270.00 plus $30.00 to ship it. Toyota wanted $1500.00 parts and labor! They ranged from $600.00 to $150.00 on my search on car-parts.com.

Noel

 

Why are you switching? Does the new have a locker?

 

I started hearing a hum and vibration while driving. I took it to a dealership and they told me the differential was going out. My 4Runner had an open diff. with 4.10 gears, so that is what I bought.

Noel

 

it's got 100k on it. I'm asking $150 for it but I think I got a buddy here that is going to take it off my hands to he can have an ARB and 4.88's installed in it. then I'll take his that only has 60k on it and sell it, open diffs and 4.10's so hopefully I can make a little more. hehe.

 

Of course it goes without saying; drain the differential oil first.