OEM 2003 Toyota 4Runner Axle Shaft

2003 Toyota 4Runner Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to replace the rear axle shaft assembly on 2003 Toyota 4Runner?

  A: The procedure to replace a rear axle shaft assembly starts by removing the wheels and then moving on to the speed sensor rear LH and subsequent removal of the rear disc brake caliper assembly LH. The maintenance process requires removal of the rear disc type followed by the rear disc parking brake shoe return tension spring after which comes the parking brake shoe strut compression spring then the parking brake shoe strut LH before concluding with the removal of the parking brake shoe. Start the process by taking off four nuts and an O-ring from the rear axle shaft with backing plate. You must use Special Service Tool: 09308-00010 to extract the rear axle shaft LH oil seal followed by the removal of the rear axle shaft snap ring using a snap ring expander. The operations require Special Service Tool: 09521-25011 and a press to extract the rear axle shaft LH while also removing the rear axle bearing retainer inner LH and the rear axle shaft plate washer. Secure four nuts onto the parking brake plate to rear axle housing bolts while using a hammer as part of the installation process but discard previously used nuts. First remove the rear axle hub & bearing assembly LH followed by the rear axle LH hub bolt through the use of Special Service Tool: 09650-17011. After removing the brake drum oil LH deflector and gasket it is necessary to grind the rear axle bearing inner race surface until clear of the rear axle bearing oil seal. The rear axle shaft must be inspected while checking for maximum runout. If the shaft exhibits damage or reaches 1.5 mm (0.0591 inch) for shaft runout or 0.05 mm (0.0020 inch) for flange runout, it should be replaced instantly. Insert the new deflector gasket and deflector onto the axle shaft before passing the six bolts through the hub until the hub bolt is ready for tightening the hub nut. The rear axle hub & bearing assembly LH needs to be reinstalled while placing the backing plate on rear axle bearing assembly LH before installing the 4 parking brake plate to rear axle housing bolts through two socket wrenches while applying a press. Apply the rear axle shaft plate washer with a new rear axle bearing retainer inner LH part and set up Special Service Tool: 09521-25011 followed by using a press to install the rear axle shaft LH component. Position a new rear axle shaft snap ring with a snap ring expander while you use Special Service Tools 09950-60020 (09951-00770), 09950-70010 (09951-07150) together with a hammer for installing a new axle shaft oil seal. The replacement process ends with installation of the four nuts on the rear axle shaft backing plate to achieve 123 Nm torque value followed by parking brake shoe and parking brake shoe strut LH and parking brake shoe strut compression spring with parking brake shoe return tension spring completion. Insert the rear disc and connect the rear disc brake caliper assembly LH together with the speed sensor rear LH. After fluid filling in the reservoir and performing master cylinder and brake line bleeding proceed by inspecting the reservoir fluid level and checking for fluid leakage followed by rear wheel installation at 112 Nm torque. The finite step involves inspecting the parking brake lever travel together with confirming the ABS speed sensor signal.