Hey there, Just finished replacing and axle seal on my 3rd gen 4runner. I followed a very reputable guide down to the letter, replaced wheel bearing along with seals, races, etc. Was very careful when removing the axle as well. This is the first car I've owned with an automatic transmission, quite used to working on vehicles with manual transmissions.

After putting the axle back along with the rest of the brake assembly, I put the car in drive and nothing happens. 4 low and 4 Hi still work fine, but park and drive do not work when I try to shift into gear as normal. Only gear that works is reverse. Before working on the truck, I put the transmission in Neutral. I'm currently quite stumped as to why I cant drive unless in 4 wheel. Before the repair, transmission was working flawlessly. It's a 1997 4runner if it helps any.

Any help/ advice would be greatly appreciated. Can't seem to find any information on this matter.

 

how can 4 low and 4 hi work if the only gear that works is reverse? i don't have an auto, but what you are saying doesn't make sense.

you didn't touch the trans area, right?

 

To clarify,

In 4hi/lo, do you have forward and reverse operation as you normally would?

During this repair did you disconnect the linkage for the transfer case? Or is it possible the linkage was moved/bent/etc?

When you reassembled everything, was anything difficult going back together?

In 2 wheel, does the rear driveshaft turn in drive?