I read the write up and still can't seem to get the seal out. For those of you who have done it, how'd ya pull it off? I'm also confused by my new seal. I got 2 from the dealer and 2 from Advanced Auto (for spares). They are all rubber and have no metal ring like what I see in the axle currently. The Toyota part # is 90313-48001. Do I have the right seal or can somebody give me some insight?

 

You can get a seal puller kit, or what I did was to just bend the seal up and in with vise grips to make it smaller. I tried the seals from Advanced Auto and they were to big, Auto Zone has seals that look just like the factory ones they are the ones I used and have had no problems.

 

I can't remember how I got mine out, but, I think I just used a really long screwdriver and carfully pryed.

 

The seals that you have are the "outer seals" you need the "inner seals".
The inner seals hold the oil in so it doesnt get to the bearing, the outer seals just protect the bearing from brake dust. read this thread (especially post 9) to get more info. https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/axle-leak-96423/

The part number for the right ones is 90310-50001.

Getting them out took me what seemed like hours. Putting them in was just as meticulous. Make sure you put them in the freezer for atleast 30 minutes to shrink them.

 

Thanks for the help, the axle and 4Runner are going to have to sit torn apart for the week, I'm frusterated to the point a match in the gas tank doesn't sound so bad!

 

I used wire cutters, a flathead screwdriver, and some careful prying to get mine out. Careful not to scratch the axle housing.

For the install, do the freezer trick as mentioned and get yourself a seal install tool. I got mine from Checker Auto for $20-something dollars and it was worth every penny.