2013 - 100K miles - Bad Rear Left wheel bearing? (1 Viewer)

[Andres G]

I picked up our 2013 cruiser with 97K miles in late September and have put about 8k miles on it since then.

Since the first day I got it, I felt a clicking/dragging type noise clearly coming from the left rear wheel when driving next to a wall or building with my driver side window down. There's also a humming noise that can be heard at almost any speed with windows up, but that may be related to the Bridgestone tires that are on today (which are fairly new - 7/32nds thread left)... so I always suspected a wheel bearing might be in my to do list soon.

Today I picked it up from the dealer, where they did the 100K mile service. The Service Advisor walked me thru the work done, and told me he looked into the complete maintenance history which showed all scheduled work had been performed by another Toyota dealership.

However, he also stated that the driver side rear wheel bearing has failed and it needs to be replaced immediately. Said that the tech that took the truck on a test drive heard the noise and proceeded to investigate a bit. Found that there is play in the bearing, and that it is probably on it's last legs... I bet I can continue to drive it like it is for another 100k miles...

I was planning on doing this myself but realize it is a bit more involved than I want to do. The dealership quote was $1050.- ($475 labor + 450 parts + $75 fees & taxes). Indy shop quoted $700. I bet I can search around and get down to about $600.

Questions:
What do you guys think about the quote? Any comparable experience?
Has anyone else EVER replaced a wheel bearing in a Land Cruiser 200? I've had '80's and '100's with over 250.000 miles and never had to replace a wheel bearing...

Feedback is welcome!

Thanks guys,
Andres

 

[chilibit]

You think it is a wheel bearing. They think it is a wheel bearing. But it can't be because 80s and 100s go 250k. I don't follow this logic.

 

[mcgaskins]

I picked up our 2013 cruiser with 97K miles in late September and have put about 8k miles on it since then.

Since the first day I got it, I felt a clicking/dragging type noise clearly coming from the left rear wheel when driving next to a wall or building with my driver side window down. There's also a humming noise that can be heard at almost any speed with windows up, but that may be related to the Bridgestone tires that are on today (which are fairly new - 7/32nds thread left)... so I always suspected a wheel bearing might be in my to do list soon.

Today I picked it up from the dealer, where they did the 100K mile service. The Service Advisor walked me thru the work done, and told me he looked into the complete maintenance history which showed all scheduled work had been performed by another Toyota dealership.

However, he also stated that the driver side rear wheel bearing has failed and it needs to be replaced immediately. Said that the tech that took the truck on a test drive heard the noise and proceeded to investigate a bit. Found that there is play in the bearing, and that it is probably on it's last legs... I bet I can continue to drive it like it is for another 100k miles...

I was planning on doing this myself but realize it is a bit more involved than I want to do. The dealership quote was $1050.- ($475 labor + 450 parts + $75 fees & taxes). Indy shop quoted $700. I bet I can search around and get down to about $600.

Questions:
What do you guys think about the quote? Any comparable experience?
Has anyone else EVER replaced a wheel bearing in a Land Cruiser 200? I've had '80's and '100's with over 250.000 miles and never had to replace a wheel bearing...

Feedback is welcome!

Thanks guys,
Andres

I know many 200s that live in places where rust happens (even a little) have dust shields / backing plates that deteriorate and cause very similar symptoms. Could that be the issue perhaps? The topic has been covered a couple of times, so if you do a search on that subject particularly looking at Kurt's / @cruiseroutfit experience it could help diagnose.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I bet you can't drive it another 100k, not without causing some other epic damage

When the bearing fails, the magnetic ABS pickup face ring blows into chunks and your bearing starts digesting it. Not only do you lose ABS and the many companion issues that come along with that ball of joy but you also will lose the bearing itself and the axle and or housing could get damaged. Worse case stuff makes it into the diff. I dare you to go 100k more

We (Cruiser Outfitters) are just about finished up with a kit containing all of the needed parts to overhaul the axle bearings in a convenient kit (sold LH and RH specific). I've done dozens of them (we do them every big race on the Canguro 200) and we've got a good idea on what you need to have to do the job including an aftermarket Japanese bearing housing featuring the exact same Koyo bearing as the Genuine Toyota option uses. Now, pulling the old bearing from the shaft is an absolute nightmare and takes either a Toyota SST or a homebrew solution and a 20T press at a minimum. Toyota may be incorporating that tool in their price?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

My damage fwiw: Builds - Project Fauxverlander 200 Series Land Cruiser Build Thread

The race 200 gets play in the rear bearings about every 805 miles, we've never had them grenade but we don't give them a chance either. While I think they can last a long time with play, I don't think they will last 100k with play. My 2 cents.

 

[Andres G]

You think it is a wheel bearing. They think it is a wheel bearing. But it can't be because 80s and 100s go 250k. I don't follow this logic.

I didn’t say it cannot be a wheel bearing, I just believe it to be uncommon. Still, it doesn’t seem to be that uncommon after all...

I bet you can't drive it another 100k, not without causing some other epic damage

When the bearing fails, the magnetic ABS pickup face ring blows into chunks and your bearing starts digesting it. Not only do you lose ABS and the many companion issues that come along with that ball of joy but you also will lose the bearing itself and the axle and or housing could get damaged. Worse case stuff makes it into the diff. I dare you to go 100k more

We (Cruiser Outfitters) are just about finished up with a kit containing all of the needed parts to overhaul the axle bearings in a convenient kit (sold LH and RH specific). I've done dozens of them (we do them every big race on the Canguro 200) and we've got a good idea on what you need to have to do the job including an aftermarket Japanese bearing housing featuring the exact same Koyo bearing as the Genuine Toyota option uses. Now, pulling the old bearing from the shaft is an absolute nightmare and takes either a Toyota SST or a homebrew solution and a 20T press at a minimum. Toyota may be incorporating that tool in their price?

Thanks for the pro-input. I am visiting a friend who has a full size shop and I believe has a large press. I’ll get back to you on this if I decide to DIY.

Thanks all.

 

[bloc]

Now, pulling the old bearing from the shaft is an absolute nightmare and takes either a Toyota SST or a homebrew solution and a 20T press at a minimum. Toyota may be incorporating that tool in their price?

We used to use a cut-off wheel in an angle grinder to strip the inner bearing races from VW front hubs and mini truck rear axles.. you could cut almost all the way through to avoid risking a nick on the axle then use a cold chisel to crack the rest of it loose.

Think this would be an option on a 200 axle?

Only having to press the new bearing on seems like it would be a lot easier for standard shop press tooling

 

[cruiseroutfit]

We used to use a cut-off wheel in an angle grinder to strip the inner bearing races from VW front hubs and mini truck rear axles.. you could cut almost all the way through to avoid risking a nick on the axle then use a cold chisel to crack the rest of it loose.

Think this would be an option on a 200 axle?

Only having to press the new bearing on seems like it would be a lot easier for standard shop press tooling

Nope, you'd have to cut through the bearing housing, caliper bracket and backing plate in order to try and carefully cut the bearing (double roller). You still have to cut the bearing ID race after using the SST puller.

I've given a ton of thought about being able to offer this as a mail order service but the cost to ship each way would kill the deal?

 

[Andres G]

Nope, you'd have to cut through the bearing housing, caliper bracket and backing plate in order to try and carefully cut the bearing (double roller). You still have to cut the bearing ID race after using the SST puller.

I've given a ton of thought about being able to offer this as a mail order service but the cost to ship each way would kill the deal?

Is it that crazy expensive even with Ground or Parcel Post shipping?

The $1050 quote from the dealer sounded like it could well be improved upon by turning my own wrenches...

Guess I’ll bite the bullet and get it done sooner than later.

Sad thing is, I put about 250 miles on the cruiser a month, unless we go on road trips. Next road trip planned is in 5 months...

 

[Yossarian]

Has anyone else EVER replaced a wheel bearing in a Land Cruiser 200? s

2009 both left side bearings at 70k, yes front and rear wheel bearings, go figure?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Is it that crazy expensive even with Ground or Parcel Post shipping?

The $1050 quote from the dealer sounded like it could well be improved upon by turning my own wrenches...

Guess I’ll bite the bullet and get it done sooner than later.

Sad thing is, I put about 250 miles on the cruiser a month, unless we go on road trips. Next road trip planned is in 5 months...

It would likely be $100-150 shipping each way, closer to $250 for east coast locations with a fully insured option.

 

[bloc]

The race 200 gets play in the rear bearings about every 805 miles, we've never had them grenade but we don't give them a chance either.

Did you ever race an 80 in similar conditions? If so did those full-float bearings last longer?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Did you ever race an 80 in similar conditions? If so did those full-float bearings last longer?

No, but It's my opinion they would need the same service after 1000 race miles.

 

[Sailcat]

My damage fwiw: Builds - Project Fauxverlander 200 Series Land Cruiser Build Thread

The race 200 gets play in the rear bearings about every 805 miles, we've never had them grenade but we don't give them a chance either. While I think they can last a long time with play, I don't think they will last 100k with play. My 2 cents.

View attachment 1837012

Will the axle pull out of and go back into the rear end without opening the 3rd member? My wife's 200 needs a rear wheel bearing and I have access to a press so I'm going to attempt it myself but the shop manual doesn't go into detail.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Will the axle pull out of and go back into the rear end without opening the 3rd member? My wife's 200 needs a rear wheel bearing and I have access to a press so I'm going to attempt it myself but the shop manual doesn't go into detail.

Yes, you remove the park brake cable, hydraulic brake line (or cut axle tab like we do) wnd remove the 4 nuts per side, the axle will slide right out. No need to touch the diff.

 

[Sailcat]

Yes, you remove the park brake cable, hydraulic brake line (or cut axle tab like we do) wnd remove the 4 nuts per side, the axle will slide right out. No need to touch the diff.

Thank you

 

[KLF]

This axle sounds similar to the mini-truck SF type, where the shaft is pressed into the bearing. This is the jig I made for pressing them out:

In use:

I'm sure it won't fit on the Cruiser axle, just wondering if the method is similar.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

This axle sounds similar to the mini-truck SF type, where the shaft is pressed into the bearing. This is the jig I made for pressing them out:

View attachment 1842110

In use:
View attachment 1842112

I'm sure it won't fit on the Cruiser axle, just wondering if the method is similar.

Identical method with a tool similar but with the 200 dimensions, etc. Same setup with the retained bearing and retainer sleeve, etc.

 

[KLF]

Ok thanks. Interesting how the construction has come full circle.

 

[Andres G]

Folks, wanted to give all an update. Ended up taking it to a friends' shop and he did the replacement of the bearing for me when I was away on business. Interesting thing to me, was that when we went shopping for the bearings, they were on backorder from Toyota at almost every dealership within 1000 miles from us... I think we even called up a few dealers in Oregon and Washington, but at that point freight costs were too high to even consider for 2 day shipping for a pair of these.

I replaced both sides to avoid future headaches, but only one was really needing replacement.

Cheers!