Wheel bearing repack and axle/knuckle service

[acf]

I've read here about you guys stressing the import of doing these services every ~30k and ~60k respectively. Is this mainly because of the abuse your vehicles take while offroading? I don't even see these as Toyota factory recommended services unless I'm missing something.

 

[landtank]

Basically it's about not damaging very expensive parts by periodically servicing them. Erics_bruiser will be posting some pics of his axle rebuild once we get the beast out of my garage. If those don't shed some light on what you want to avoid nothing will.

 

[acf]

Thanks landtank, looking forward to those. I'm thinking about hitting up my bro-in-law to assist me with some axle work. My 97 has 100k and never been offroad and previous owner had it serviced religiously at the dealer but I'm 99% sure (wil confirm) that neither of these services has been done.

 

[acf]

Just noticed that the PO had the front rotors and pads replaced about 11k miles ago. Wouldn't they repack the bearings as part of this?

 

[mabrodis]

Just noticed that the PO had the front rotors and pads replaced about 11k miles ago. Wouldn't they repack the bearings as part of this?

I would think so, but did they 'repack' them (actually clean them out, dry them, make sure only one type of grease is in there, etc), or just throw some grease in there and call it good?

How tight did they make the hubnut? Did they replace the thrust washer, did they replace the locking washer? What was that noise?? Things like that make me nervous.

On my '97, when I got it the rear wheel bearings had been repacked, totally different grease than the factory, two distinct different colors in there. It was odd to me since I bought it with 49K miles on it, and I can't imagine why someone would have repacked the bearings before that, but they did. However mine had a very rusty rearend, so maybe it sat in salt water and that was just some work done to get it going again...I've been through everything on mine so not worried about what the previous owner did at this point...more worried about what I screwed up..

Good Luck,
Mark Brodis

 

[acf]

Thx. Good points. The dealer did it but I guess ya never know eh?

 

[Rookie2]

acf,

I haven't gathered that offroad use plays a big part in that recommendation. It's a question of whether you're still getting adequate lubriation in the joint, and then at some point (60k or longer), the adequacy/necessity of replacing the bearings and oil seals starts to become the question.


Rookie2