The green light went on and off as she engaged/disengaged the mechanism, but I disconnected the front drive shaft and you can still hear grinding, indicative of the front pumpkin still being engaged. I'll be more certain next weekend when I pull the front out. Are the axles just pop from the axle housing out (I haven't looked yet) and there is a clip that holds it in place inside the CV?

Sorry, I come from FWD so to me it's all a FD I'll call it xfer case ratio ...

 

Bought a new front rear end/axle housing with 3.90 xfer ratio...and got the vacuum locking mechanism that I will replace also...not bad for 300 bux from the local yard, should be here Monday...so next weekend I'll attempt to install...see how it goes

 

good luck

 

Thanks! Luck wasn't needed. It was actually so much easier then I thought it would be. I don't know why Toyota charges 8hrs to do this. I got it done in like 3hrs total. The only issue, is that I re-used the seals, and the passenger side seal is leaking. I don't want to drive it like this. What's the easiest place to get these? I called all the local PepBoys etc and non of them carry anything for this axle housing. Should I just call the dealer or is there a trusted online site that I can order from?

 

Dealer OEM...the axle seals should really be replaced anytime the shafts are pulled...seals are cheap....new brakes aint

 

I thought the axle housings were all the same regardless of gear ratio?

3 year old post.. Hmmm

 

I dont think the OP has a clue what he was talking about anyways...wtf is a "FD" final drive? nobody uses that terminology

 

I called around and nobody sells the axle housing seals for this car. Napa, advanced etc etc...What do new brakes have to do with my axles and seals? If anything I'd run out of gear lube in the xfer case.



They can be, for all I know. I am not a 4runner guru.


I don't know a thing about these 4runners, nor 4wd for that matter. I've never driven 4wd cars until I got this thing. Yes, FD is final drive. Since, I am not use to these, I am not as familiar with the terminology. Like there are gear, transfer case & axle ratios from what I found out by replacing this housing.

 

If anyone cares the seals are ~14 a piece. I can get part numbers as necessary. Only 1 is leaking, so for now I will only replace just that one. It's easy to do. Remove the tie rod and swing the axle out of the housing. 'Press' in the bearing with a block of wood and re-install the housing.

 

The block of wood method didnt work because of how the seal is set up. I did have some 2.5 inch piping laying around. A slight tap-aroo and now she's as good as new! This whole process was much easier then I anticipated.