My Truck:

'88 4runner
5.29 diff ratio (T529IFS)

My Question:

The passenger side flange onto which the drive axle bolts is wobbly and I pulled the diff out to see about replacing the bearing (or whatever is worn in there).

How do I get to the clips inside the diff that retain the axle shafts? Is it possible to take that side out without tearing the whole thing apart? I don't see any way to get it apart short of knocking out the pin that goes through the case holding the side and spider gears.

Any tips would be appreciated.

My Back Story:
Currently driving to Argentina and have limited field tools, enough to get most things done, but not a full shop. I can't decide weather to tear it apart and get to know it better while I'm still in the states (and have other options if I need them) or take it to a shop and let them do it.

 

http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/

on that page it says that the ADD ifs front ends had the needle bearings and non ADD did not, im not sure if theres a way to fix it if its no ADD.


Anywho mine does the same thing and has begun to leak oil

 

I've got the same wobbly CV axle and have been chasing down a vibration coming from the front end on my 94 Runner. Do either of you have a vibration in the seat/steering wheel at higher speeds?

 

none that I can notice.

 

I just pulled my 4.10 front diff to replace with a set of 4.88's and both diffs shafts that are closest to the housing wobble around a bit. I'm replacing the seal and hopefully that should cure it as the inner bearing were tight. None of the auto parts stores around here were able to find the seal until i gave them the number off of the original which is: bd2992f and then they easily cross referenced it then. The shaft itself pops out fairly easy, just pry it away from the housing with two screwdrivers on opposite sides of the shaft. Good luck.

 

Thanks guys, I actually figured out that I could pry it loose about an hour after I posted and so felt like a jack ass.

I believe my problem is worn spider bearings. I accidentally drove it a fair bit with the hubs locked coming from Boston down to New Orleans. I think running it that fast for that long wore out the gear on the passenger side (it jiggles a little). As I'm in New Orleans and heading for Austin tomorrow I just pulled out the entire front end of the drive train (forward of the transfer case) leaving only the part of the axle that goes though the wheel. I'll update you on if rebuilding the spider bearings fixes the wobble. I'll hopefully find someone in Austin that has the tools to tear the gears out.

Anyone have any tips for field gear removal and replacement? I am limited on tools.

 

Well I hope nickhjohnson can figure out that wobble problem. I too have the same thing just on the passenger side. I thought maybe there was a C clip inside that needed to be taken off first to remove that shaft.
I was looking at the FSM for the 4Runner and it showed an expolded view of the front diff and there is a C clip on that shaft. Hmmm?
To me it doesnt make sense that just a worn out seal would make that shaft wobble like that. Could it be those needle bearings that the ADD have are wore out?
Need some advise anyone!!!!
Thanks

 

Please let me know if the seal helps.

 

Bump...

 

bump one more time!!
I searched and didnt find anything eles on here about the front diff having some play on the passenger side shaft. Just wondering if anybody knows how to fix this. Is it worn spider gears inside or will that new seal cure that problem?
Need some help here if anybody knows what to do.
Thanks.

 

Ok maybe just one more bump!!
Could this be possible? Has no one ever had this problem with their 4Runners?? Or does everybody just live with it? Usually by now someone has either answered the question or has pointed out that this topic has already been discussed.
Whats going on people!!??? I see that this thread has been looked at but still no answers. I guess I will have to hit up a drive train specialist.

 

I've been looking for a vibration in my T-100, which has an ADD front diff. It sounds like you have the same symptoms I do. slight vibration at high speeds sometimes through the steering wheel or the seats.

After swapping the CV shafts which were shot, I discovered the same problem you guys are describing; wobbly passenger flange. Although mine is not leaking oil, yet.

I'm thinking the side bearing is shot. The seal shouldn't be the determining factor for that flange to be stable.

I'm also pretty sure you have to disassemble the differential to get the bearing out.

 

Well becaron I think your right. Looks like I will be cruzing without a front diff for a while unitl I can get those bearings replaced.
Still find it funny that nobody has a write up on this or even able to explain what excactly is going on. Usually by now someone would have told me or sent a me a link to this problem.
Any problem that I have ever ran into on my 4Runner was either already answered or asked so many times that it pissed off the yotatech community.
Could this be!!!??? Do we actually have a problem on our Toys that has not yet been discussed here on yotatech!!???
Common yotatech peeps. Anybody had this problem before and how was it fixed.

 

I know this is a old thread, sorry but I'm just looking for info
I have been chasing a nasty vibration for almost 2 yrs now and my short cv axle tube is really wobbly at the flange but not dripping oil
any luck with your vibration