Broken Axle Bracket - Need some answers
Apr 20, 2010 | 12:56 PM
#1
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Broken Axle Bracket - Need some answers
Hey guys,
One of the brackets that connects one of the 4 suspension arms is completely broken on my rear axle. Here's a pic of the bracket on another 4runner:
I took it to my regular shop that I trust and they say it looks like the bracket has broke before and was rewelded at least once. They called a bunch of their used part dealers and couldn't find anything for me and the local wreckers weren't returning their calls. I drove out to the wreckers and they have a 96, 97 and 99 rear axle still attached to their respective 4runners. The wrecker quoted me $425CAD for the whole axle assembly. The axle housing from the dealership is $1200. My shop was planning on swapping all the guts from my rear end to the wrecker axle housing.
Questions:
1) If they swap my rear end guts, it doesn't matter what gear ratio comes in the axle I buy from the wreckers but will any of those axles from 96-99 work in my 02 4Runner?
2) If I buy one of these axles from the wrecker, should I take the axle somewhere to get cleaned up and painted to prevent further rusting? If so, what exactly would you suggest?
3) Would it be worth my time to have the brackets on the wrecker axle boxed in or reinforced to make them that much less likely to break again after going to all this work and expense? How about adding ball joints to the end of the suspension arms? I read somehwhere that will reduce strain on the bracket over the stock bushings.
4) If any of those axles from 96-99 will work, is there anything specific I should look for when picking out which axle I will buy?
One of the brackets that connects one of the 4 suspension arms is completely broken on my rear axle. Here's a pic of the bracket on another 4runner:
I took it to my regular shop that I trust and they say it looks like the bracket has broke before and was rewelded at least once. They called a bunch of their used part dealers and couldn't find anything for me and the local wreckers weren't returning their calls. I drove out to the wreckers and they have a 96, 97 and 99 rear axle still attached to their respective 4runners. The wrecker quoted me $425CAD for the whole axle assembly. The axle housing from the dealership is $1200. My shop was planning on swapping all the guts from my rear end to the wrecker axle housing.
Questions:
1) If they swap my rear end guts, it doesn't matter what gear ratio comes in the axle I buy from the wreckers but will any of those axles from 96-99 work in my 02 4Runner?
2) If I buy one of these axles from the wrecker, should I take the axle somewhere to get cleaned up and painted to prevent further rusting? If so, what exactly would you suggest?
3) Would it be worth my time to have the brackets on the wrecker axle boxed in or reinforced to make them that much less likely to break again after going to all this work and expense? How about adding ball joints to the end of the suspension arms? I read somehwhere that will reduce strain on the bracket over the stock bushings.
4) If any of those axles from 96-99 will work, is there anything specific I should look for when picking out which axle I will buy?
Last edited by cj_rezz; Apr 20, 2010 at 01:27 PM.
Apr 20, 2010 | 01:09 PM
#2
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,571
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From: TN
look for a an axle from 96-99 due to having only 1 brake line going to the axle.
doesn't matter what gear ratio it has if your swapping in your third member. it doesn't have to be 4wd either, it can be any 3rd gen 4runner rear axle with any engine drive train combo in it.
If the new axle is rusty itself i'd clean it up my self with some sand paper and just spray paint it
not worth your time to have the brackets reinforced, the links are weaker than the brackets. also adding ball joints to the rear links would be a bad idea, and wouldn't work. adding heims or johnny/ballistic joints wouldn't be a bad idea on one end if you were upgrading your links. but if you don't wheel not going to run into having link problems.
doesn't matter what gear ratio it has if your swapping in your third member. it doesn't have to be 4wd either, it can be any 3rd gen 4runner rear axle with any engine drive train combo in it.
If the new axle is rusty itself i'd clean it up my self with some sand paper and just spray paint it
not worth your time to have the brackets reinforced, the links are weaker than the brackets. also adding ball joints to the rear links would be a bad idea, and wouldn't work. adding heims or johnny/ballistic joints wouldn't be a bad idea on one end if you were upgrading your links. but if you don't wheel not going to run into having link problems.
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