Shop charge to do knuckle/axle rebuild?

[Chip B]

I realize it may be blasphemous to even ask since this seems to be one of those pop your cherry/start to do it yourself jobs. Unfortunately, at the moment, I have no tools much less a driveway to tackle it on.

So I am curious as to what kind of price range to outsource it would be reasonable?..Should I go ahead and buy one of the many kits out there first and try to have a mechanic do it or just go to a yota dealership?

As of today:

 

[lovetoski]

I've seen posts on here ranging from $400 - 600 per side. (Parts + labor). I'd find a mech whose done these before. Ask some local cruiser owners.

FWIW...maybe you don't need on just yet? Ya your knuckles look gross on the outside, but it's the inside where it matters. The question is whether the inner axle seal has failed, allowing knuckle grease to contaminate the diff oil, and vice versa.

Two things you can check...remove the square plug on the front top of the knuckle. Stick something down inside and get a sample of the grease. (Whatever you use, don't drop it in there!) If it's thick and greasy, it's good. If it's runny and smells like gear oil, the seal has failed. You can also drain the diff oil and see if it runs clear like oil, or if it's goopy/contaminated w/knuckle grease. (If you drain the diff oil, remember to remove the fill plug first, to ensure you can refill the diff. Only remove the drain plug when you know you can put the gear oil back in.)

If the inner axle seal is OK (some of them do last for a long time) then you can keep driving for awhile. The gunk on the outside of the knuckle is where the knuckle grease has seeped past the knuckle wiper seal. This is a simple seal that can be replaced in about 30 minutes from under the car. Just takes a 12mm wrench (or a 10?) and some wrags.

The odds are that your inner axle seal has failed. If you drive it alot, you need to get it fixed soon. If you don't drive it a lot, you don't have to panic and do it right now. It's not like an overheating engine.

 

[phoenix1055]

Yep.. that's the price range that I have heard as well.. around 600 bucks.

I'd investigate other soucrces before going to the dealer if you are concerned about the cost. They will cost the most by far.

Consider buying the kit (90 - 110.00.. it varies) and finding someone to do it. You could even print out the procedure for him if he is a little fuzzy on it or hasn't done a toyota before.

But you do need tools and a driveway or a garage to do it yourself..

 

[Chip B]

Thanks for the wisdom fellas. I'll try to clean it up and replace wiper seals now then wait till spring to dig deeper.

 

[kevinmrowland]

Thanks for the wisdom fellas. I'll try to clean it up and replace wiper seals now then wait till spring to dig deeper.

The felt and rubber wiper seals can not be replaced without removing everything from axle housing. They are one piece and need to slip over the ball. Sorry.

 

[Chip B]

I was afraid of that...thanks

 

[macneill]

Good to know. I'm in the same boat.

Thanks!

 

[89s rule]

Man, you think that looks bad? You need to come and see mine! I prob have 2x as much stuff around my axle and knuckle.

good luck, this is on my list of to do's.. Hopefully spring or Summer ?????

 

[kevinmrowland]

Yeah, sorry about that guys.
It sounds like you are in the exact same situation I was in years ago. Most mechanics will tell you that those wipers are oil seals and that they can be replaced just as you thought.

In reality they only seal dirt out, not grease or oil in. As we all know, there is not supposed to be any oil in there, most mechanics think there is, and if the right amount of grease is in your knuckle they do not need to keep it in, just wipe it clean when you turn.
As everyone has said, yours really do not look that bad at all. I would really suggest collecting the tools and reading about the job on this forum. It is one of those things that only a Land Cruiser mechanic will do right, in all likelihood the only Land Cruiser mechanic in your area is you. So learn to do it yourself the right way.

 

[Chip B]

As everyone has said, yours really do not look that bad at all. I would really suggest collecting the tools and reading about the job on this forum. It is one of those things that only a Land Cruiser mechanic will do right, in all likelihood the only Land Cruiser mechanic in your area is you. So learn to do it yourself the right way.

so true, .....that's why this is the best forum out there.

Thanks again