Rear axle seals

Tiny
KYLEDAMON
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA
  • 2.7L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 135,000 MILES
After watching your video on rear axle seal replacement on the 1996-2002 4Runner I am pretty sure the process is the same on the Tacoma for these years. My question is about the bearings. If they do not have any play in them, do I need to take them off for the seals? In the video there is no mention of this and when I watched a friend do the job years ago he did not touch the bearing. The shops around me say that the job requires the bearings to be pressed. If the bearings are good I do not find this part necessary. I believe it is just the one seal on other side, correct? I want to be sure before I tear apart. Thanks in advance!
Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017 AT 8:16 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
If the bearing rolls good with little to no play then you are okay. If you feel rough spots or the bearing sounds funny replace it.

It would be good if you could upload a picture of the bearing so we can see it.

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017 AT 11:49 AM
Tiny
KYLEDAMON
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Thanks Ken! When I tear into it I will post pictures.
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Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017 AT 11:53 AM

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