LX 450 1997, Triple Lockers, Rear Axel Shafts. (1 Viewer)

[cold]

Hello friends,

I would appreciate an advice from people with hands-on experience who replaced the rear Axel Shafts on triple locked LX 450. Online catalogs have several shafts with different part number available. I did not disassemble rear axel on my LX yet, so I don't even know are left and right shafts mirror each other. And yes, the rear axel is leaking, the left one pretty badly. The rig has 530k miles I'm pretty sure it's not just worn out seals.

Q1: Are the rear axel shafts for 3-locked different from non-3-locked LX 450?
Q2: My guess (looking at the catalog) the left shaft of 3-locked LX 450 has the same measurements as the right one. Is this correct?
Q3: Finally, am I lucky and somebody on the forum already resolved this riddle for his LX?

 

[NeverFinis]

Q1: Yes, but just the right side. However, the non-locking axle can use that locking right axle shaft, just not the other way around. The left axle shaft is the same part number for both axles.
Q2: No
Q3: Countless times.

 

[cold]

Q1: Yes, but just the right side. However, the non-locking axle can use that locking right axle shaft, just not the other way around. The left axle shaft is the same part number for both axles.
Q2: No
Q3: Countless times.

View attachment 3833487

Thanks for quick reply.
That 'FZJ80W(*DL),RH' was a bit cryptic to me. Now I got it, RH here is not a JDM Right Hand drive, but a shaft for the right side. Could have guess that, LX 450 was never sold in Japan, AFIK.

 

[jonheld]

The rig has 530k miles I'm pretty sure it's not just worn out seals.

Why are you pretty sure?
Rear axle seals are fast, easy, and cheap to replace.
******MAKE SURE YOU LOCK THE REAR AXLE BEFORE PULLING THE AXLE SHAFTS******
Rear axle seal 90310-35001 about $5.
You'll spend some time cleaning up the inside of the rear drum/handbrake parts/rear calipers and pads, so have plenty of brake cleaner handy with lots of rags.
******MAKE SURE YOU LOCK THE REAR AXLE BEFORE PULLING THE AXLE SHAFTS******

 

[powderpig]

Make sure the Wheel bearings are in good shape and adjusted properly. If real loose, the inner seal will not seal.
When was the last time you did a rear axle service? Replacing the hub seal (one of two seals and a gasket for the rear service)
need to happen as well. Again, if the wheel bearing are super loose, it will create a leak with both the inner and outer seals at the rear axle.

 

[cold]

Why are you pretty sure?
Rear axle seals are fast, easy, and cheap to replace.
******MAKE SURE YOU LOCK THE REAR AXLE BEFORE PULLING THE AXLE SHAFTS******
Rear axle seal 90310-35001 about $5.
You'll spend some time cleaning up the inside of the rear drum/handbrake parts/rear calipers and pads, so have plenty of brake cleaner handy with lots of rags.
******MAKE SURE YOU LOCK THE REAR AXLE BEFORE PULLING THE AXLE SHAFTS******

I have the driver side rear axle pulled out by now. It has a pretty deep groove made by the oil seal. The oil seal is completely worn out.
Probably you meant '..lock the rear _differential_ before..', right? Could you elaborate on why is it important? I did not find anything about that in the FSM.

 

[jonheld]

I have the driver side rear axle pulled out by now. It has a pretty deep groove made by the oil seal. The oil seal is completely worn out.
Probably you meant '..lock the rear _differential_ before..', right? Could you elaborate on why is it important? I did not find anything about that in the FSM.

Yes. If you don't lock the rear diff before pulling the axle shafts, the sliding collar can drop down inside the diff housing.
The FSM adds that step for removal of the carrier before removing the axle shafts. A bad omission if you ask me.
It's only an issue with the OEM rear locker.

 

[NeverFinis]

I was like, surely the FSM says to lock the diff if pulling the rear axle shafts. Nope. Only if pulling the diff. Weird.

As @jonheld wrote, it is a good idea to lock the diff before pulling the right axle shaft to prevent that splined collar from dropping out.

 

[cold]

Yes. If you don't lock the rear diff before pulling the axle shafts, the sliding collar can drop down inside the diff housing.
The FSM adds that step for removal of the carrier before removing the axle shafts. A bad omission if you ask me.
It's only an issue with the OEM rear locker

Thank you for the clarification!
Diff lock actuator is on the passenger side. I did not pull the passenger side axle out yet. It seems I am not in a trouble with dropped (If the worse can happened, it will happen) sliding collar. But I must disassemble this axle also.
Q: What is the smart way of engaging the locker having given the engine is pulled out, ECU is unhooked from the wires?

 

[Malleus]

12V battery to the connector at the motor; a 9V will work.

Practically the only way, not just the smart way.

 

[cold]

12V battery to the connector at the motor; a 9V will work.

Practically the only way, not just the smart way.

My efforts ended up with this: I unbolted the rear diff lock cover, removed the bolt that holds the fork and then I moved the fork to the locked position.

Cover, Rear Differential Lock