How bad does this look?

[96Cruiser13]

Driving 70mph on the highway, i smell something trhat doesn't smell to great. So i slow to 55 or so and pull into the nearest gas station. By brakes were working terrible for some reason that day. I stop at the gas station to see smoke pouring from there the cap is supposed to be on the passenger side front axle. Everything that wasn't sturdy metal is burnt. I got everything out, and cleaned. The knuckles are soaking. I already know i need bearings and gaskets and seals. That entire picture is ruined im sure.. Just want to be sure of what to buy before i buy it. Ive been trying to read up but theres so much random information about this topic.



At the gas station, waiting on the flatbed...

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by 96Cruiser13

How bad does this look?

That looks expensive Ryan.

That outer bit of metal that looks like this: |___|---|___|---|___| (in a circle) was part of your outer wheel bearing. It is supposed to look like the inner bearing. If I had to guess, I would say you will need a hub, a spindle, 2x wheel bearings and other bits. Probably $500/side. Plus you need to repack your birfs as you were advised back when you pulled the submarine stunt with your truck many months ago.

Total cost DIY will be $1000+ and you can add another $1,000 if you have to pay a mechanic. Plus $100 for the flatbed. PM is stressed pretty heavily here in the 80-Section on 'Mud and you can see why.

The labor is something you should be able to do yourself so read the front axle service in the FAQ and ask questions. We will be happy to help.

-B-

[Izeloz]

Looks like you need a new spindle, probably a new spindle bushing, new outer and inner wheel bearings, new wheel (axle) seals. Looks to me like the bearing seized and heated up and took everything else with it more or less. Better just rebuild both sides while you're at it.

[barCruiser]

you may be able to find a used front axle for cheaper than all the new parts, looks like the stuff outboard of the knuckle is toast.

[96Cruiser13]

Originally Posted by barCruiser

you may be able to find a used front axle for cheaper than all the new parts, looks like the stuff outboard of the knuckle is toast.

Wish i could find a used spindle...

[e rock]

How come, in the "at the gas station" picture, it looks like there is no stub shaft?

[Ebag333]

Originally Posted by e rock

How come, in the "at the gas station" picture, it looks like there is no stub shaft?

It burnt all up?

[flintknapper]

Originally Posted by barCruiser

you may be able to find a used front axle for cheaper than all the new parts, looks like the stuff outboard of the knuckle is toast.

This would be my suggestion too.

Well...that and "inspect/repack the wheel bearings after deep water crossings" next time!

[cruiserruf]

looks about the same thing that happen to me. wheel bearings went i mean that sucker MELTED which caused a damaged birfield. luckily i have a friend who helped through the whole rebuilt. got me a axle rebuilt kit, wheel bearing kit, used spindle, used birfield, for a total of...........$6-700. spector off road might have a used spindle.

[Atoyot1031]

Originally Posted by Beowulf

That looks expensive Ryan.

That outer bit of metal that looks like this: |___|---|___|---|___| (in a circle) was part of your outer wheel bearing. It is supposed to look like the inner bearing. If I had to guess, I would say you will need a hub, a spindle, 2x wheel bearings and other bits. Probably $500/side. Plus you need to repack your birfs as you were advised back when you pulled the submarine stunt with your truck many months ago.

Total cost DIY will be $1000+ and you can add another $1,000 if you have to pay a mechanic. Plus $100 for the flatbed. PM is stressed pretty heavily here in the 80-Section on 'Mud and you can see why.

The labor is something you should be able to do yourself so read the front axle service in the FAQ and ask questions. We will be happy to help.

-B-

Originally Posted by barCruiser

you may be able to find a used front axle for cheaper than all the new parts, looks like the stuff outboard of the knuckle is toast.

I'd have to second both of the suggestions above.

Some of us (me included) have had to learn lessons like this the hard way. I blew a HG on my minitruck 20 miles from nowhere. Now I'm pretty darn good about my PM!

[cruiserdan]

You need a full front axle service plus wheel bearings and a spindle and maybe a birfield.
That list will add up to ~1,000 bucks... plus lubricants and labor if you farm it out.

[alvarorb]

You probably don't want a used spindle. I have two, but they have over 150.000 miles in them. They would be great trail spares, but I would not put them on as daily running gear. I suggest you bite the bullet, do it right and you'll have an LC for a long time.

Regards

Alvaro

[Aussie cruiser]

If there was a lot of heat generated it might pay to check the brake caliper. I had a front left bearing sieze a couple of years ago. I replaced the bearings seals and spindle. A few months later the outer axle snapped. Next was the brake caliper it cooked real good. Also had to do the swivel hosing seals and bearings after this and do the bearings again...got real hot..

[96Cruiser13]

Originally Posted by alvarorb

I suggest you bite the bullet, do it right and you'll have an LC for a long time.
Alvaro

Yeah, im in the process of looking for a used front axle. ~~aussie~~ Should have heard the long version of that story. I was behind a little corola on 95. He puts on his brakes, so i attempt to hit mine . NOTHING. The brake pedal went to thje floor with no resistance at all.. Luckily i was in the fast lane, so i swirved onto the center median and drove over wildflowers for what felt like a mile untill the cruiser slowed enough to get off safely. Thank god the gas station was uphill.I'm so mad i didnt do the complete repack last year when i tried to forge the river... :(Anyone know of a used front axle for sale? On top of that, i need an alternator too... You guys werent joking when you said that this hobby was heavy on the pockets. Good thing its worth every bit of it.Thanks for all the help so farI'll update with more pics asap...Ryan

[Walking Eagle]

pm'd you on used axle stuff - luckily the one I have only had less thatn 17K on it when it rolled, so not many miles on the parts.

[Tapage]

Why not drop a mail to cruiserparts.net and just ask for prices and available parts.

[96Cruiser13]

Originally Posted by Tapage

Why not drop a mail to cruiserparts.net and just ask for prices and available parts.

Wow, Its not as expensive as i was expecting...
Thanks alot Tapage

[jasonomni]

For used parts call irbis offroad
they have a classified add in the parting out section
They have many diff. year model rigs to pull parts from,and are cheap
Ask for oleg

[edog's 80]

Originally Posted by jasonomni

For used parts call irbis offroad
they have a classified add in the parting out section
They have many diff. year model rigs to pull parts from,and are cheap
Ask for oleg

X2 on Oleg at Irbis, he gave me a really good deal on a used door, it looks brand new after he got done with it.

Edog

[mooker82]

There are a few in the parting out section for sale now. The only problem with used is you usually do not know if they previous owner kept up the PM on the parts.

[Proven]

This is on topic/off topic...

Is there something significant to the way he "tried to forge a river" as opposed to a standard water crossing that required a repack of his bearings? I've not crossed water yet in my cruiser, but want to be sure I do what's needed if I do. In the past, I owned several Toyota's and crossed through lots of water...never had to do a repack then. Or was I just foolish?

I need to add that to the list of freaky things to check and recheck. Right next to studs and caliper bolt torque.

[Romer]

The modification you do for water crossing is to extend your diff bbreathers up higher, otherwise, the diff can fill with water.

I seem to recall his being stuck in the muddy water for a period of time.

In this situation, you should drain the diff and remove the access cap on the knuckle and check the consistancy of the grease.

[Tapage]

The river crossing by itselft it's a killer for bearing, add mud and you will found a pretty grease cleaner .. means if you are running old or non existence grease on your u -joints, bearings, DS, rods etc .. the end with virtually no lubrication after all ..

Down here our principal off road it's between rain, mud and rivers .. so we are educated to keep and use always the better water resistance grease as we can .. frecuently cheking all this bearings and all parts to keep 'em in good shape .. ( properly lubricated ).

[mooker82]

I just noticed you are in Greenville, NC (used to kayak up there). There is a guy parting out a 80 down here in Charleston. It is in the parting out section on here.

[nicholas]

Originally Posted by Proven

This is on topic/off topic...

Is there something significant to the way he "tried to forge a river" as opposed to a standard water crossing that required a repack of his bearings? I've not crossed water yet in my cruiser, but want to be sure I do what's needed if I do. In the past, I owned several Toyota's and crossed through lots of water...never had to do a repack then. Or was I just foolish?

I need to add that to the list of freaky things to check and recheck. Right next to studs and caliper bolt torque.

I have buddy's that cross water that's deeper than the front axle and they never worry about repacking/checking bearing. But these are the same guys that advised me when I bought my 80 to "not worry about my birf's because they looked dry so I should not touch them." They act like the toyota knuckle is a mysterious enigma that is difficult to tame as in if you look at it wrong it will start pouring diff oil out like nobody's business. I even had a seasoned, experienced, toyota mini owning mechanic that once told me that there is really nothing you can do to stop diff oil from oosing out of the knuckle.

Bottom line is that like mentioned in previous posts, these knuckles are not water tight and crossing deep water definitely warrants investigation/maintenance of the axles in order to prevent costly damage. With a little time and knowledge found here on mud, I am certain that just about anyone can tackle a front axle service.

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by Proven

Is there something significant to the way he "tried to forge a river" as opposed to a standard water crossing that required a repack of his bearings?

Yes. He got stuck and had to leave the truck overnight and maybe a few nights. I cannot recall the details but everyone advised him to repack the wheel bearings and to check the knuckles at a minimum.

-B-

[Proven]

Wow, okay. I see the difference between my crossings (in previous trucks) and his then. The still thinks this is her cruiser so I haven't been able to do much with it yet...just got her a new 4 Runner though...soon...SOON!!! it will be mine all mine again.

So, extending the diff breathers and checking the condition of the grease during regular intervals should be sufficient?