Front axle question
- Thread starter 2garfields
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rebuilds are every 60k. if your not sure how long it's been, most will recommend it be done soon.
Actually the latest craze is replacing it with a mini truck front axle or the IFS out of a Camry. That's gonna be my next mod. 
But truthfully I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you have signs of needing a rebuild (unusual noises or leaks from the seals). $1200 also seems kinda steep for that job.
But truthfully I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you have signs of needing a rebuild (unusual noises or leaks from the seals). $1200 also seems kinda steep for that job.
2garfields said:I read serval posts that, people tend to rebuild the front axle at 150k mileage or so. If the seals are not leaking or not making any funny noise, should I be worry?
If you wait until you hear noise, then you have waited to long and the noise is excessive wear that could lead to more expensive repairs
I have no clue if/when mine were done, they do not leak or make any noise and seemingly work fine.
Are there any signs to look for so I don't allow them to get damaged yet don't worry needlessly/rebuild them too early.
Is the noise like the clicking of cv joints on fwd cars? (I have no noise, just checking)
Thanks
Are there any signs to look for so I don't allow them to get damaged yet don't worry needlessly/rebuild them too early.
Is the noise like the clicking of cv joints on fwd cars? (I have no noise, just checking)
Thanks
2garfields said:Any Land Cruiser specialist in Boston MA aera?
If your asking me, I'm no specialist but I've done a bunch. If you're looking for someone to do it for you PM me.
94landcruiser said:
The usual sign is a leaky mess on the inside of the knuckle where the felt seal is. However that isn't always true. A few never got that leaky mess and jumped immediately to total failure.
Odds are if you are the second driver and the vehicle has less than 150K but more than 70K it hasn't been done and the cheapest thing, is to do it now and not wait. A single birfield alone is over 600.00 if gotten from CDan.
I did an axle that had been neglected it's whole life, here's what it took
1 birfield
1 inner axle PS
1 inner axle DS
1 spindle
1 drive plate
And of course the customary rebuild kit.
The guy paid for the parts and had them shipped to me so I don't know the total expense but it had to be close to 2000.00 just in parts.
Starting at the center of the axle look towards the tire and you'll see a ball looking thing just before the tire. The seal that leaks is the one that contacts the ball. It usually gets messy around the bottom of that ball and on the control arm, that's the thing that is at the bottom of the ball and has 2 rods attached to it if it's the passenger side or 1 rod attached to it if it's the driver side.
take a pic of the back side of the knuckles where that ball is and post it up here to get some views on how they look.
But I'd bet it is still original and you are probably playing with fire.
take a pic of the back side of the knuckles where that ball is and post it up here to get some views on how they look.
But I'd bet it is still original and you are probably playing with fire.
Thanks for the input landtank. Is the steering knuckle the knuckle you are referring to?
I bought my truck with 168,xxx, it now has 171,xxx Would it be reasonably safe to assume it was done with so many miles and no obvious issues?
My truck had three po's that I know of (per NADA) I got no records of work done but I the po I bought it from had just done the plugs, wires cap, rotor, and all filters. (I know because I bought them and did not replace them as they were all new)
Thanks
*edit* I wanted to edit and attach this but it would not let me upload so I deleted, it is my fault these posts appear out of order.
It has been raining for three days, I just got back and drove through six inches of water, that is why it looks wet.
I bought my truck with 168,xxx, it now has 171,xxx Would it be reasonably safe to assume it was done with so many miles and no obvious issues?
My truck had three po's that I know of (per NADA) I got no records of work done but I the po I bought it from had just done the plugs, wires cap, rotor, and all filters. (I know because I bought them and did not replace them as they were all new)
Thanks
*edit* I wanted to edit and attach this but it would not let me upload so I deleted, it is my fault these posts appear out of order.
It has been raining for three days, I just got back and drove through six inches of water, that is why it looks wet.
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Cruiserdrew
On the way there
If you are questioning it, it is time to do the front end rebuild. I repacked the birfs at 60k, and did a full knuckle rebuild at 90K. In the future, I'll probably have it apart every 30k. This is not a hard job, and the idea of paying $1200 is a non-starter. For $200 in parts you can make it literally as good or better than new.
To me, this is the beauty of the Land Cruiser. For a minimum in parts and a few hours of work, it is NEW. All the wear parts are replaced. You can't do that with a Camry.
While there, do the wheel bearings too.
To me, this is the beauty of the Land Cruiser. For a minimum in parts and a few hours of work, it is NEW. All the wear parts are replaced. You can't do that with a Camry.
While there, do the wheel bearings too.
Alrightythen. Gracias!
So I need everything in the FSM page I posted plus bearings?
So I need everything in the FSM page I posted plus bearings?
It almost looks like you have the new studs in there, the new ones have a torx end on them. If so then the axle has been apart at least once since they were not installed at the factory.
Next you might remove the square plugs that are on top of the knuckle towards the front and see how the grease looks and how full it is.
BTW: by editting your original post it doesn't bring the thread back up with a "new" next to it. I was looking for your pics but didn't realise you added them until cruiserdrew added his post.
Next you might remove the square plugs that are on top of the knuckle towards the front and see how the grease looks and how full it is.
BTW: by editting your original post it doesn't bring the thread back up with a "new" next to it. I was looking for your pics but didn't realise you added them until cruiserdrew added his post.
I'm still running the original bearings in my rear axle and only swapped out the fronts trying to identify a problem. Some change them regularly, I wait for them to need to be changed.
Thanks. I am sorry I did not realize. I did not want to add numerous posts on the same thing, I was trying to respect the op.
If the conventional wisedom is I can make it about 1600 miles I'll wait until October when I go to Laredo and get the parts from Dan, if after I report my findings from the inspection it is felt I am playing with fire I'll pay full pop + 20% to Toyota here (Toyota Mexico orders from the States and charges for it) and do it before the trip.
If the conventional wisedom is I can make it about 1600 miles I'll wait until October when I go to Laredo and get the parts from Dan, if after I report my findings from the inspection it is felt I am playing with fire I'll pay full pop + 20% to Toyota here (Toyota Mexico orders from the States and charges for it) and do it before the trip.
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What do you guys think about running Redline lube in the Birfs instead of the Toyota stuff? I ran it in my mini truck axles with great success but I wasent in full time awd either.
It's thicker than the Toyota lube but I think it prob protects better. Any opinions would be great since I am about to re-gear and rebuild my front an rear axles.
It's thicker than the Toyota lube but I think it prob protects better. Any opinions would be great since I am about to re-gear and rebuild my front an rear axles.