Cost of front axle rebuild?
- Thread starter jditom
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What's in your mind when you say FA rebuild ?
Wheel Bearings & Races, grease seal ( $50 to $75 / side )
. . .new nuts & lock 'star' ? ( $ 15 ish/side)
. . .knuckle bearings & races ?
. . . .which means knuckle 'seal' (rubber & felt seal washers)
. . . . . a/k/a "knuckle rebuild kit" ($ 100ish but is for both sides)
Axle seal too. ($20ish for both)
3 to 4 tubs wheel grease
gallon deisel fuel / mineral spirits for cleaning...
couple of disposable 'Turkey Roaster' pans to catch drips & goo....catch 'wash' if you need to wash knuckle befroe disassembly.
Plenty of paper towels (or rags....)
Now, while you're at it . . .
. . .brake rotors ? check 'em
. . . .brake pads ? check them too
If you're doing both axles, might as well plan on draining front diff & rejuice (why not, lube is probably old )
Then, might ya consider front d-shaft & U-joints . .
. . .which leads to the transfer case . . .
. . . . hip bone connected to the leg bone
. . . . .. . .whoa . .where does this stop
Wheel Bearings & Races, grease seal ( $50 to $75 / side )
. . .new nuts & lock 'star' ? ( $ 15 ish/side)
. . .knuckle bearings & races ?
. . . .which means knuckle 'seal' (rubber & felt seal washers)
. . . . . a/k/a "knuckle rebuild kit" ($ 100ish but is for both sides)
Axle seal too. ($20ish for both)
3 to 4 tubs wheel grease
gallon deisel fuel / mineral spirits for cleaning...
couple of disposable 'Turkey Roaster' pans to catch drips & goo....catch 'wash' if you need to wash knuckle befroe disassembly.
Plenty of paper towels (or rags....)
Now, while you're at it . . .
. . .brake rotors ? check 'em
. . . .brake pads ? check them too
If you're doing both axles, might as well plan on draining front diff & rejuice (why not, lube is probably old )
Then, might ya consider front d-shaft & U-joints . .
. . .which leads to the transfer case . . .
. . . . hip bone connected to the leg bone
. . . . .. . .whoa . .where does this stop
Are you changing out the front brake rotors & going to the 100 series pads? Dan quoted me $558.71 + whatever UPS wants. This included all bearings, new front brake rotors. If you subtract the front rotors + 100 series pads, deduct ~$160.00 for rotors + $56.21 for the pads.
I included 10 cone washers (incase I ruined any), 3 oil filters, 1 air filter, and 8 new steering arm studs. I subtracted the inner oil seals and ordered them directly from Marlin Crawler. My total bill from CDan was $661.21 (that includes shipping). I did not use any of the new cone washers.
Riley
I included 10 cone washers (incase I ruined any), 3 oil filters, 1 air filter, and 8 new steering arm studs. I subtracted the inner oil seals and ordered them directly from Marlin Crawler. My total bill from CDan was $661.21 (that includes shipping). I did not use any of the new cone washers.
Riley
^ good points......
With no brake work or any other related projects I was at 339.96 from Dan for parts minus birfs (512 ea
) and then a good hundred dollars of oil, grease, paper towels, and brake cleaner. I also ordered the marlin seals so add 13.99 plus the ride.
With no brake work or any other related projects I was at 339.96 from Dan for parts minus birfs (512 ea
) and then a good hundred dollars of oil, grease, paper towels, and brake cleaner. I also ordered the marlin seals so add 13.99 plus the ride.- Thread starter
- #5
Excellent gents!
I am not tearing into the birfs since I have no issues or clicking on this well cared for LC.
The PO had a brake shop do front rotors and pads at 15k ago so still good but not OEM. I am thinking about doing the OEM rotors with 100 series pads. Is this to OCD?
I am not tearing into the birfs since I have no issues or clicking on this well cared for LC.
The PO had a brake shop do front rotors and pads at 15k ago so still good but not OEM. I am thinking about doing the OEM rotors with 100 series pads. Is this to OCD?
The 100 series pads are larger than 80s. My first impressions are that the new rotors and pads stop the truck better, more solid. It could just be the new parts + a placebo effect, but I am happy I did it. The new pads barely fit and I had to compress the caliper pistons all the way in (make sure to check your brake fluid reservoir (mine came all the way to the top). Besides the additional expense for the rotors + pads, it really is only a few extra bolts.
Riley
Expect to spend $300-$350 includes everything from Genuine parts, that is without rotors and pad. cdan and toyota of dallas probably will give you the best price and service. You can save some $$ by getting the Koyo or Timkem bearings, Toyota use them as oem in their box.
I just did it and to buy some tools I didn't have, fluids, replace all bearings, all four custom machined rotors, C-Dan kit I went just North of $1600.
Not to mention that the whole ordeal took 10 days. LONG STORY!
If you do not enjoy wrenching on your rig , have bad luck with wrenching on your rig, or don't have many of the needed tools. I would recommend paying someone to do it for you. With the economy the way it is I am sure you can find a fellow Cruiser Head in need of some $$ or a Toyota Mechanic out of work. Just a suggestion because this is a HUGE job and you do get some ignorant confidence from this site.....
Now although mine was a bit of an ordeal, somewhat deflating during the process, about $500 more than I expected now that it is done I did learn quite a bit but I still H8 wrenching on cars!
My 2 cents.
Not to mention that the whole ordeal took 10 days. LONG STORY!
If you do not enjoy wrenching on your rig , have bad luck with wrenching on your rig, or don't have many of the needed tools. I would recommend paying someone to do it for you. With the economy the way it is I am sure you can find a fellow Cruiser Head in need of some $$ or a Toyota Mechanic out of work. Just a suggestion because this is a HUGE job and you do get some ignorant confidence from this site.....
Now although mine was a bit of an ordeal, somewhat deflating during the process, about $500 more than I expected now that it is done I did learn quite a bit but I still H8 wrenching on cars!
My 2 cents.
I just did it and to buy some tools I didn't have, fluids, replace all bearings, all four custom machined rotors, C-Dan kit I went just North of $1600.
Not to mention that the whole ordeal took 10 days. LONG STORY!
If you do not enjoy wrenching on your rig , have bad luck with wrenching on your rig, or don't have many of the needed tools. I would recommend paying someone to do it for you. With the economy the way it is I am sure you can find a fellow Cruiser Head in need of some $$ or a Toyota Mechanic out of work. Just a suggestion because this is a HUGE job and you do get some ignorant confidence from this site.....
Now although mine was a bit of an ordeal, somewhat deflating during the process, about $500 more than I expected now that it is done I did learn quite a bit but I still H8 wrenching on cars!
My 2 cents.
Wow! I thought mine was expensive!
Even having to go into my passenger side a second time for a broken c-clip, I stayed under $1000.
I enjoyed doing the rebuild and felt I learned quite a bit about it that was not covered in the FAQs and will not have an issue going back in when the time comes.
I did not rebuild my rear axle and it sounds like you did (at least rotors).
The only reason that I would hire the job out would be if I did not have the time to get it done. But with some planning and some borrowing of tools if necessary, this is a pretty simple job.
Also, my .02 cents
Riley
Yeah, I borrowed a grease gun and a flat sided brass drift and had some help taking it apart but it was on me getting it back together. And the receipts add up quick if you really keep track of them. 6 jugs of purple power to clean very dirty knuckle parts, four rotors and pads all around is a nice chunk of change. Inner seals and install tool from Marlin, $90 in fluids, torque wrench, 6 tin turkey trays, etc, & etc. I have a few returns to make but that will probably be about $25 worth....
I just read the ordeal you went through and in no way meant to downplay the frustration that can come when trying something new.
I have been reading and planning the front axle rebuild for the last 4 years (since buying the LC) and just recently was pushed to do it. I finished the rebuild in 5 days (a few hours every day) and then had to open the passenger side again (add 2 days).
This is a straight-forward job but you must take your time the first time if you do not have help from someone who has done this thing exactly.
I am glad to be done with it as I know you are (do not sweat the pre-load. I set it, with a pull scale at 10 lbs with the inner nut on and after torquing the outer nut kept reading 15 to 18 lbs. I bet when I open it up at 100 miles, the preload will be just fine).
Cheers to you for doing it!
Riley
I would send you mine, but el mariachi (sp?) lives in Texas and he is the one that made it and I believe still sells it.
Riley
Yeah stripping the knuckle housing by cranking the caliper bolts into it will kinda set you back a few days.
Yes their is a DVD and although I took notes from watching the DVD 3 times it still leaves a few things out. And did anyone else notice that one of the gaskets fell down while they were tightening it all down?
I would loan you the DVD but I borrowed it myself from a local Cruiser guy.
Yes their is a DVD and although I took notes from watching the DVD 3 times it still leaves a few things out. And did anyone else notice that one of the gaskets fell down while they were tightening it all down?
I would loan you the DVD but I borrowed it myself from a local Cruiser guy.
The letter that came with the DVD talks about the gasket falling. I went to ACE hardware and purchased the studs that help hold everything together and highly recommend having those on hand during the reassembly.
Riley
My brakes are squealing again and I know the rotors need to be replaced this time. I know it's a good time to go ahead and do the axle rebuilt, too. About how much can I expect to pay to have someone do this? I don't have the tools nor the time (wife is due with baby next week).
Ed
Ed
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Seriously -- anyone? Ballpark me on what a reasonable price is to have a mechanic do this job?
Ed
Ed
It has been posted numerous times that you can expect to pay about $1,000 in labor alone (I was told it was approx. 10 to 12 hours of shop time - so it depends on the shops hourly rate). Ordering all of the parts from CDan with new rotors and pads will run you around $550.
Now if you ask who CDan is, you better just run for cover. All of this has been covered - most of it right in this thread!
Riley
Now if you ask who CDan is, you better just run for cover. All of this has been covered - most of it right in this thread!
Riley
The parts and cost of parts info has been posted, but not the labor costs nor an estimation of hours of labor if done by a mechanic. Most of you guys plan to do this job yourself -- I'm trying to get a reasonable idea of how bad I'm going to get screwed at the dealership. I searched for that info -- I got a bunch of info about how much the parts cost. That's why I'm asking. But thanks for the help.
And who is CDan?
I can't wait to see someone come unglued for me asking a question. This should be good.
Ed
(I've ordered from Dan before. I know how to use the search feature, but pardon me for not being as hard core and glued to this forum the last few years as you seem to think everyone should be.)
And who is CDan?
I can't wait to see someone come unglued for me asking a question. This should be good.
Ed
(I've ordered from Dan before. I know how to use the search feature, but pardon me for not being as hard core and glued to this forum the last few years as you seem to think everyone should be.)
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