My parents bought this 4runner brand new back in 96. its a sr5 2wd v6 with 246k on the odo. My sister is a college freshmen and next year (septemberish) she will be taking a car back to school with her. Now the 96 has been having some rear axle seal issues. So i replaced the axle seals yesterday a long with a nice cleaning of the breather which was sealed shut with mud. Anyway, i was reading up on the axle seals and it seems the barings may have had all the permanent grease pushed out and i wouldnt be surprised if the outer oil seal is also leaking. Now i dont have the tools or the know how to press all of that apart and back together so i need a guestimate on how much that might run.

In order to get this car safe for my sister to drive, its going to need those bearings etc along with all new tires. everything else is sound, it feels like the motor has much more power then my 02...thing runs like a swiss watch.

Now the deliema that we have all been kind of thinking is what if we were to sell it, not sure if we can get much for it, and get something else. now she likes the xterra but also knows if shes going to get that size of a suv she might as well get another 4runner. if she were to get something else it would be 4x4 so she can get herself up to tahoe to go skiing and what not.

So the real question is would you spend the $5-6-7-800+ to get a vehicle with 246,000 miles in sound mechanical condition for a 18yr old to drive to school 7 hrs away and up the mountains on occasion. or would you try and sell it and get something else with less maintinance required. keep in mind this difficult economic times. also keep in mind it would be a couple month before any of this would happen.

 

i think its about $100. shouldnt be more than that. if it is i would still go with fixing the bearings rather than buying a new car...

 

Hell it's just getting broke in with them miles get the new bearing and be done with it beats paying $3-$500 for a payment not to mention the rise in insurance for the new car/truck

 

if you are able to do the axle seals then the bearing seals or whatever will not be a real problem for you. Take your time-get several writeups and start to study them. Line up your parts and supplies-local shops can do the pressing or so I have read about.

Go ahead and do the diff breather extension-make it clear tubing and you can keep a visual check on that rear breather.

Given the mileage I would encourage a throrough check up of the front end suspension pieces-ball joints have failed catastrophically for example and always cheaper to replace prematurely than allow for breakdown.

Your sister's '96 will show up many more modern vehicles less capably built.

 

Generally speaking axle seals aren't something that will leave her stranded. As long as the drivetrain is in good shape (sounds like it is), tires are good and the battery is good, she should be in good shape (at least until she comes home for Christmas).

BTW, what a great brother you are!

 

Absolutely man.....go with fixing the 4runner.

 

When/if you do get the bearings pressed make sure the shop knows they have to put them in the right place and there's no spacer to show you where that spot is. The shop I went to did the presswork for one axle for $75- can't remember how much the parts were, though.
96 sr5 4wd.

 

Just had my axle seals and bearing done on my 2000 2wd 4runner along with upgrading to 4.56 gears to help my 32/11.5r15. Everything came out to be 950. The price just for the axel seals and bearings was 500. Hope that helps.

 

well I need to figure out how to get the thing to pass smog. Its got a cat in there thats less then 4 yrs old but the NO is wayyyy up according to my dad, im gonna get the sheet out tomorrow and see how bad it was 2 yrs ago. It BARELY passed. the thing desperatly need ball joints in the front, Needs the brake system flushed and the rear barring and such redone and it needs some new tires. other then it being unsafe to drive cuz you gotta put your foot to the floor. it runs great She doesnt need it till sept so i got time to figure out what we are gonna do. First things first gotta get it to pass smog. how do i do that?????