OEM 2002 Toyota 4Runner Axle Shaft

2002 Toyota 4Runner Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to service and repair the axle shaft on 2002 Toyota 4Runner?

  A: Start the axle shaft service and repair through brake drum removal together with the rear wheel followed by applying 110 Nm (1,150 kgf-cm, 83 ft. lbs.) torque. A dial indicator should be used to check bearing backlash until the bearing replacement threshold of 0.7 mm (0.027 inch) is reached. It is necessary to check the axle shaft deviation at the surface outside the hub bolt for 0.1 mm (0.0039 inch) maximum deviation. Any greater deviation will require a new axle shaft replacement. When replacing the ABS speed sensor on vehicles equipped with this system users must detach it from the rear axle housing while tightening it to 8.0 Nm (82 kgf-cm, 71 inch lbs.). First loosen the four backing plate mounting nuts on the rear brake assembly to 66 Nm (670 kgf-cm, 48 ft. lbs.) torque before gently pulling out the assembly to protect the oil seal. As the first step, remove the O-ring from the rear axle housing followed by bearing retainer separation (differential side) along with ABS speed sensor rotor disassembly using four serration bolt nuts which get detached with hammer strokes. The grinding process should start on the retainer and sensor rotor surfaces followed by chiseling out the materials. Secure washers and replace nuts onto the 4 serration bolts, apply torques to the nuts, and remove these 4 nuts. The snap ring requires an expander tool for removal while Special Service Tool: 09521-25011 enables pressing out the rear axle shaft with its bearing retainer. Check the axle shaft runout distances and replace it if the shaft reveals more than 2.0 mm (0.079 inch) runout or the flange shows more than 0.1 mm (0.004 inch) runout. To replace the rear axle bearing use Special Service Tools 09223-56010 09950-60010 (09951-00560), 09515-30010 09950-60020 (09951-00890). To replace the new outer oil seal use Special Service Tools: 09950-60010 (09951-00610), 09950-70010 (09951-07150) with a hammer. The bearing case replacement process starts with removing the outer oil seal and bearing then installing 4 nuts to the serration bolts before using a hammer tool to separate the 4 serration bolts. Follow up the bearing case backing plate installation with four serration bolts using two socket wrenches before adding a new bearing along with an outer oil seal. The inner oil seal replacement requires Special Service Tools: 09308-00010 and 09950-60020 (09951-00710) with 09950-70010 (09951-07150) and a hammer while applying MP grease to the oil seal lip. The rear axle shaft goes into the backing plate after slathering the oil seal lip with MP grease and then connect the backing plate with the bearing retainer. First install the rear axle shaft using Special Service Tool: 09316-60010 (09316-00051) with the press before installing a new snap ring by operating snap ring pliers. The ABS speed sensor rotor and bearing retainer installation requires Special Service Tool: 09316-60010 (09316-00051) and a press for vehicles with ABS to reach a standard length of 122.2 plus or minus 1.0 mm (4.811 plus or minus 0.039 inch). The last step involves reverse removal order for installation while brake system bleeding follows after installation together with ABS sensor signal checking and leak inspection completion.