front end rebuild

[larryp]

my 80 has 142,000 miles with no problems. I took it to the dealer for service and was told that I needed my front end rebuilt at a cost of $1600 if the spindles were ok. Took it to a 4X4 local shop and was told it only needed the bearings replaced an repacked.
i have not noticed any vibration so do I spend the $1600 or $450 to just replace the bearings ?

 

[DRBoffroad]

I just purchased my 92 cruiser with 180,000. Mine really needs a front end job. My toyota dealer checked it out and they told me the knuckle bearings were shot and the wheel bearings need replacement. The third member is in good shape. I also checked all the tie rod ends and they're in good shape. I purchased the parts from Man-A-Free for $199.00 after talking with their tech guys. I plan on installing them myself. $1600 is a ton of money and I think you could use it somewhere else. Just my thoughts.

 

[LINUS]

Nothing beats sticking your fingers in there & seeing all the parts as they come out & go back in.

Is that an option?

 

[jynx]

X2 for greasy knuckles.

CDan can fix you up on a kit or you can check out some of the MUD vendors. I got mine from JT's and I plan on doing mine when I have the front end apart swapping my 5.29s next month.

 

[LINUS]

Additionally, being down there & doing the work is a primetime to snoop around - you never know what you might find that needs work - but just having your eyeballs wandering around while you're down there doing the work give you the opportunity to see that kind of thing.

 

[larryp]

thanks for all the input, I think I will get ahold of Cdan an get the kit. I really dont want to spend ant more than I nees to as i have a lot of upgrades on my wish list

 

[arndog123]

I used cruiserouttfitters.com when I did the front end rebuild of my wife's LX. Will use 'em again when I do my '97.

 

[d0ubledown]

first off, why would you ask for diagnosis of the front end? was there a noise? odd steering characteristics? dirty balls? (not the ones in your pantalons)? hubs too hot to the touch after driving? play in the wheels when you grab at 6 & 12'oclock? needing new front brakes?

if you dont have any of these symptoms..i wouldnt bother with it. if anything, pull the hubs off yourself and inspect/repack. at least you'll be familiar with the innards of your knuckles...and it sure wont cost foh-fiddy....

 

[larryp]

I had it in to replace the roof drains that were clogged which was causing the front floor area to flood in any rain storm but I have found that you cannot get out of any shop without some sort of suggested repair work that needs to be done. Thats why I wanted a second opinion. I will do the job myself though and thanks for your input. This site is great for problem solving

 

[Stormin Norman]

Wait. They replaced your clogged roof drains instead cleaning them out?

 

[d0ubledown]

I had it in to replace the roof drains that were clogged which was causing the front floor area to flood in any rain storm but I have found that you cannot get out of any shop without some sort of suggested repair work that needs to be done. Thats why I wanted a second opinion. I will do the job myself though and thanks for your input. This site is great for problem solving

thats what we're here for saving the world from shops that want to take ya to the cleaners.

..although your roof drain issue would have been solved here in a minute as well! at least you'll know who to ask first!

 

[larryp]

I have learned my lesson I will always ask for informatio on the forum first!!!

 

[tahoepow]

Big bucks

I just had some major work done on my front axle (97 LC). It happen on the road so not many options with who, when or what but I got beaverton toyota in oregon to replace axle seals and wipers? for 850.00 There was a bunch of old grease and dirt everywhere possible red flag, 500 miles into a road trip I noticed 90 weight diff fluid coming out of the left front tire and nicely spraying everything within a 2 ft radius with a very heavy grease/oil. My advice get it done by an old skool toyota tech or someone that has experience working on this massive road creatures.
I'm not sure what they did but it wasn't a pretty job. Now my axle and wipers look great and I'm thinking of getting some new shocks. Have fun

 

[Sleepy]

Don't be afraid to do your front end yourself. The most work I had done on my 80 until a month ago was change fluid, hoses and belts. With info from this site and parts from CDan I did the front axle job and rebuilt the front brake calipers. Thanks MUD!

 

[Blue Phoenix]

I was curious about what it would cost me to get my axles rebuilt while picking up some brake pads for the Nomad and the DEALERSHIP quoted $144. I literally laughed aloud because I thought they were joking. Dude was dead serious. Either I have stumbled upon THE most inexperienced Toyota dealership around or the Holy Grail of dealerships.
I have yet to get back with them.

 

[cruiserjunktion]

Don't be afraid to do your front end yourself. The most work I had done on my 80 until a month ago was change fluid, hoses and belts. With info from this site and parts from CDan I did the front axle job and rebuilt the front brake calipers. Thanks MUD!

You can do it yourself- buy a fsm and order a rebuild kit from cruiseroutfitters.com

Piece of cake.......