Front axle question

[94landcruiser]

Thanks 1,000,000 for the link, I copied & pasted the parts list & FSM pages into a word doc.

I need to determine if I can make it to the border and back or not.

The trip is 1400 miles, the truck is temporarily imported into Mexico for six months pending permanant status and has to leave the country by October.

Which studs are you referring to landtank? I looked, the ones under the steering knuckle connecting to the steering mechanism are kind of a reverse torx, the eight bolts holding the whole assembly together are not torx, but after cleaning off all the gunk on them they are shiny brass color which seems to indicate they are not original.

where do I need to check to see the condition of the grease #43211D?

Thanks!

 

[landtank]

The studs with the reverse torx are the ones I'm referring to. Since those are in there the axle was rebuilt and most likely it was a good job as they took the time to replace them. You probably have some time before needing to go in there and do it again. But I wouldn't put it off for several months though.

 

[94landcruiser]

Between now and October when I have to go to Laredo, (700 miles each way) I doubt I'll put 200 miles on the truck. Would you guess (and obviously I know it is just that) I can get away with that, having all the parts in the parts list thread under:

"Section A. Typical Anal Mainteance 'Mudder (Money is not an obstacle) "

Waiting for me from Dan, or should I bite the bullet and buy them from Toyota here at a premium?

 

[landtank]

Pull the square plug from the knuckle and take a look at the grease level and it's color. You can use a wire coat hanger for this. If the grease looks good and is at the correct level then don't sweat the parts. Just call Dan for one of his kits and have it on hand for when you want to do it.

I think your in good shape personally, but the grease check would confirm it.

 

[94landcruiser]

Driver's side:

This is just below the level the bolt goes to.

Passenger side:

This huge glob attached it's self to my finger it was this full:

Grease on bolt in addition to that from inside:

Inside pass side:

All the grease seems pretty clean and it is almost as full as possible.

 

[landtank]

The knuckles would seem to be too full, not the worst situation to have at all. I wouldn't be nervous about driving the truck at all.

 

[94landcruiser]

Should I remove some?

I really appreciate your time.

Thanks

 

[landtank]

Me being me, I'd rebuild the axle when I had the funds and the time at my leasure. Until then I'd just drive it.

 

[94landcruiser]

I'll leave it alone, buy the parts in September so they are there in October and have them for when the time is right. Many thanks!

 

[Rookie2]

From viewing you're pictures of the axle ball, I would actually have said they look on the dry side. There should be a very thin but obvious film of grease on the ball. Be sure that the grease you see in the plug hole is not just a small amount that has collected in the recessed hole. I would more closely inspect the level by clearing the hole then stick a straw or something similar into the hole and see if you can gauge how much grease is in there. You want it 2/3 to 3/4 full.

Full knuckles lead to axle seal failures. Been there, done that.


Rookie2

 

[94landcruiser]

Thanks I checked and it does have a very thin layer of grease on both sides, I checked with a shish kabob skewer (don't tell my Wife) and there is grease inside. I put the grease that came out on the skewer on both sides of the ball, on both sides of the truck and now it is much more "wet".