I am in the process of doing some needed TLC to my 4Runner. The next project I have planned is to replace the front axle seals since they are leaking, and I figured that I would replace all the bearings as well. I am very particular and 99.9% of the time I go to the local dealership and purchase OEM replacement parts (nothing made in China), because I want it to last as long as the original part did. I've been looking into the Marlin Crawler Kit and was reading up on their patented axle seals (the EcoSeal which uses a solid hoop vs. the original garter spring setup). I noticed that the kit includes all new KOYO knuckle and wheel bearings. I had to tear my rearend apart in October to replace a worn out pinion bearing and carrier bearings (241,000 miles) and purchased a new one from Toyota and it was a KOYO bearing also.

I was wanting to know your thoughts on this knuckle rebuild kit. I personally haven't messed with a front axle on these trucks yet (that's all about to change). I've owned my '85 4Runner for 3 years and I've worked on it here and there. Just wanting some opinions from yall on this kit.

 

Marlin has great products, including the knuckle re-build kit.

I personally went with the trail gear kit because I'm cheap and one of the trunion bearings broke during installation.

If I had to do it over I'd go with marlin. Like you posted they use Japanese Koyo bearings, not the cheap Chinese junk in the TG kit.

 

I just finished rebuilding my front axle. I used the marlin knuckle kit. I also got the Eco seal inner axle and pinion seals. It is a good kit, I highly reccomend it. Koyo bearings from Japan (had to wait 3 months for mine to come in). Good stuff.

 

Also, i ordered my pinion and carrier bearings from Trailgear and they were Koyo too.