Toyota Rear Axle Seal/Bearing Replacement (Non-ABS Rearend)

Timmy,  I wished I had a video on how to do this for my 1991 Toyota Previa.  The only reason I am keeping it is I talked to a Toyota Mechanic about selling it after the kids were grown up and he told me to keep it because the 2.4 in that van is one of the best engines Toyota ever made.  Not sure what to do about my rear axle seal leaking.  I was thinking if the rear wheel bearings are sealed bearings and a little axle grease got past the seal and into the bearing area maybe they would be ok if I just pulled the axle and replaced the axle seal only.  I just don't have those special tools.   Would you say that all Toyota rear bearings are the same as far as your demo of pressing them off/on

Hi Timmy,  I just did one side of my axle seals however my bearings were still good so I could not flip the retainer over.  I made the mistake of taking my old seal out before I could do the grease test.  What I did was hammered in the old seal back in until it was flush with the axle tube to see if the grease test would go where the witness mark was and it was dead on so I hammered the new seal into the tube in about the same spot.  So since I could not flip the retainer over where the beveled side goes towards the bearing, should I have hammered the seal in farther so the grease test would go past the witness mark and a little closer towards the bearing.  The cavity where you put the seal in was about 3/4" deep on the axle tube so I could have hammered it in further.  I was just use to all front wheel bearing seals usually just hammer in flush until they stop.   Should I remove the axle again and tap the seal in about another 1/32" to 1/16" to push it past the witness mark.   It was a lot of work and the witness mark was no groove at all you could not even feel it on the retainer so not sure what to do.

Hi Timmy,  I decided to replace the axle seal on the other side this weekend and I am a little concerned and worried.  The side I did last weekend I hammered the seal in just a tiny tiny bit further then being flush with the cavity of where it goes.  When I was doing the other side today I looked at where the old seal was before I removed it and it was about 1/4" inside the cavity.  So what I did was only hammer the new seal in about 1/8" instead of the 1/4".  The grease test at least or me is not very clear to see on the retainer so I thought by moving the seal out more by 1/8" it would not be on that witness mark.  What I am worried about is one side the seal is just about flush with the cavity and the other side is about 1/8" inside the cavity.  Do you think I am over thinking this.573-445-4252

Tim, I have my axle on my work bench now and looking at the witness mark and it is right in the middle of the retainer.  Now when I slide the old seal on to the retainer and the seal is about 1/4" thick is the witness mark, if it was in the same spot before I removed it going to line up with the outer side of the seal, or the inner side, or right in the middle of the old seal.  In other words the outer side of the seal being the side you put the seal driver on to hammer it in and the inner being the opposite side.  I am just trying to figure out where on the retainer the left side is and on the right side of the vehicle.  I hammered one side just a tiny bit more then flush with the cavity and the one I did today I hammered it in about 1/8" which is more then the other side.

Tim,   Talked to you Sunday about that rear axle seal.  Just wanted to say thanks again.  I am replacing my rear pinion seal where the drive shaft connects to the diff and I cannot find the torque spec anywhere.  Cannot find it on the Toyota forums and thought you might know how to find it online.  I called and talked to a Toyota mechanic and he gave me 110 ft. lbs or 9 inch lbs.  I did the conversion and I think he got this backwards.  he said it should be about like a lug nut which would be more like the 110 ft. lbs, but there is a bearing right behind that nut so 110 ft. lbs I believe would be way too much.  it is on a 1991 Toyota Previa 2wd.   I could really mess things up if it is suppose to be 9 inch lbs instead of 110 ft. lbs.    So thought you might know how to look this up online very difficult if not impossible to talk to someone at Toyota dealer nobody wants to help.

I'm interested in the Cookies how much

Hey Tim! I have a 2002 tundra w/out ABS. The rear right side tire is showing wear on the outer edge. I have rotated the tires and the wear continues. I also have a intermittent growling sound from the rear when traveling 30 mph +. Is this the bearing? I have no signs of differential fluid leakage and this has been happening for a few yrs now. I don't put a lot of miles on. Can I take out the axle and inspect the bearing w/out replacing the seals? Thanks for the video! It's great!

Do you have a video on changing the front wheel bearings on a 06 Tundra?

Are the parts interchangeable for ABS and Non-Abs? To explain, I have an ABS model that needs a replacement rear end. I am having a hard time finding an ABS version. Can I use the Non-ABS housing with all ABS parts inside (minus the ABS gear thingy of course)? Maybe just omit the ABS gear thing that gets pounded on?

So, out of all these parts, what fits 02 Tundra ? I've looked up a few & Amazon say's they don't fit 02 Tundra. No ABS... ?
Thank you. (Looks like I'm searching)...

Timmy, Love your video's. I have a 94 Toyota 4x4 V6 P/U referred to as a 4 Runner version. Getting ready to do rear axel seals got one leaking. Wanted to know now that its been several yrs how the reversing the retainer ring has help up.

It's crazy how much these tools cost ($300+, $130+???) to use to replace these bearings.. and even crazier is how much research I did and reading and reading and different methods I tried and fabricated that failed to dissasemble my axle.. and you know what really blows my mind? I ended up simply using two 4 inch 3/8 bolts and nuts to finally do the job!!! Just smack out 2 studs on opposite sides, slide a 4in 3/8 bolt in from the axle side and thread a nut on the under side and slowly/carefully tighten the bolts!! Haha! They will press it all apart! I still can't believe I never saw or read online about a single person doing it this way but it was so simple..

awesome video gonna tackle this job next weekend. I have a 2000 TRD Tacoma ill be working on a non ABS axle, however i do have a factory e locker... anyone know if the e locker needs to be removed in order to slide out the axle shaft?

I know this is an old video, BUT! what is the time frame on this? I was charged for 5 hours of labor ...

Just wanted to say thanks! Just finished this job, and your video was insanely helpful. Keep up the great work.

Timmy, Question I have minor leaking rear end. Me and mechanic friend replaced only the seal about 4 months ago. Bearing looked great with no play? Well, took off to paint my drums and its leaking again! Humm we’ll didn’t know if I should replace seal again or do the bearing or what. Checked diff. Breather and cleaned and can blow air through.Wondered if new seal is like you we’re saying in video about riding wrong on retainer ring.Maybe I should do the grease test to see where new seal is riding on retainer ring. I would have to take axle to shop to have bearing pressed on don’t have tools.I just don’t know if bearing can be bad with no play.Could you advise? Thanks a lot I’m glad I ran into this video. You seem very knowledgeable about these rear ends and frankly I don’t trust all mechanics.

Always take the fill plug out first and use 6 point sockets . Learned the hard way I did

Make a video with toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2011 rear horn change. It would be interesting to see which extractor they use.

A piece of wood 2 x 4 works better to install the seal and a prybar to take it out

Thanks hombres

Hi Timmy, did the 4th gen 4runner (2X4) get the oil seal update? Can I just keep the bearing retainer faced the original way?

Finished my bearing replacement on my 98 4runner . Thanks for the great instructions.

Hey Tim, as always great job on the video and thank you for posting. I was wondering what size seal driver you used to drive in the inner oil seal. thanks!

Any experience with the Marlin Crawler "Heavy Duty Rear Axle EcoSeal"? I'm wondering if the indexing flange puts the seal lip back to the original inboard/outboard location.
Their web site states the oversize indexing flange prevents misaligned installations, and the offset seal location prevents leaks from worn or damaged axle shafts.

Is it necessary to do both sides? I was thinking I only needed to replace on the side that's leaking.

WARNING! If you have an e-locker, you have an ABS rear end even if your vehicle doesn't have ABS. I just pulled the axle on my '99 Tacoma without ABS and was surprised to see the extra parts inside from an ABS. Now to see if the parts I already bought will work or not . . .

Will this tool work on Asian cars and trucks in the Philippines 🇵🇭 let me know thanks

What's the inside diameter of the pipe on the pulling tool

Hey Tim,
Great video! I have a 2000 Tundra 4x4 no/abs. Just behind inner seal in housing there's a flange with like C notches. Mine is all scraped/scored up. What would have caused that? I pulled axle and there was no snap ring & retainer had slid inboard 1" or so. Pressed retainer back on with new ring. Axles loose again not sure what's up.

Thank you! Timmy The Toolman. Perfect teaching, great show. I trust you about the difference seals

Mines non ABS, but still has the ABS parts on it... ? Can I take them off ?

Hi again TTTM, Does it matter what way the bearing is facing ? New ones arriving tomorrow.
Thanks again for all your help.

I can't remember if I posted a comment around a year or so ago, back when I first watched this video, but either way, here goes: The first time I watched THIS PRICELESS VIDEO, I shared this information about flipping the retainer ( including using grease to create a witness mark for test-fitting ) plus the title of this video with my friend Dennis, who owns & runs a local transmission shop in my area for decades now. I paid him to do this job on both sides of my rear axles. ( Dennis fabricated his own parts to work with his shop press explicitly for these Toyota rear ends a few years back. He also happens to be one of the most trusted & respected transmission specialists in Brevard county Florida. ) After verbally explaining to him, he watched your video that evening, and used the flipping of the retainer technique while doing my rear axles the very next day. HE WAS VERY IMPRESSED & PLEASED WITH YOUR VALUABLE INFORMATION IN THIS VIDEO. ( And I know my inner seals have a bigger contact area on the retainers. ) So even if a man is paying a shop to do work, often times, these excellent videos & information still comes in quite handy for "teaching an old dog a new trick" such as Dennis! He and I are BOTH grateful. THANKS GUYS.........YOU ARE THE BEST!!!

I'm needing new bearings on my 2000 Tacoma and just put in a order on Toyota parts site for new parts. Got an email back saying that they have 2 other orders on hold for these bearings with NO ETA from Toyota as to when it will be fulfilled. So, I guess aftermarket it is.

I believe my rear axle seal is leaking on my 08 Tacoma. I recently had my truck towed home when my U-Joint failed. The tow truck driver pointed out oil all over my rear drum and told me my seal is failed. I also have heard some metal clanking sounding like metal gears raking into each other. 😟
I started with this video. Lots of information. I have never touched anything like this job, nor do i know all of the terminology of parts.(seals, retainers, etc.)
Your video had me feeling pretty confident I could tackle this until it came to measurements and grease test.😵‍💫 Im not sure I understand what the purpose of this is. I think If i could figure this out, I will take the axles to a local shop to have the bearings pressed out and on. Any help will be appreciated.

Are all the part no's the same for an '87 2wd truck?

Are the ABS and Non ABS rear end housings the same?

Just got back from King Of The Hammers and broke a Chromoly Rear shaft. I saw many IFS length shafts broke wish I had my press down there and this video! Going to pull my old one apart off my 86 4runner and waiting for new shafts from Marlin Crawler so I can put my disk break conversion back on the new shaft! Thanks for the great videos! Used your duel case rebuild video this year also!

great vid. your camera person is killing me though!

How many times can you repeat yourself? Almost unwatchable

You are a life saver. I have a 1991 Toyota pickup sr5 that is leaking. Great video

Should I do the grease test or should i just flip the retainer ring onto the flat side?

I have an 03 tacoma and the axle broke where the c clip groove is . Can I use a non abs axle ? I don't care about the abs working because its way easier to find a non abs axle .

Your videos are indispensable. Thank you! About to do this my 2000 tundra

Super cool video

As always thank you for your help and the time you take to make this video.

Hey Timmy, I don't know if you'll see this comment on this old video. But I've got some seriously rusted out back plates on my 1991 rear drums and I want to replace them. Some sources online say I'll have to pull the whole thing apart and replace the bearing and seals and others say I can just peel the things apart and bolt it to the new black plate

Yes I see did it stop the leak