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3rd Gen Shock replacement...What Else? #729182 06/05/06 10:54 PM
Anonymous
Unregistered
I am replacing the shocks in my 97 4runner with Monroe Reflex shocks. this is my wife's daily driver that rarely goes off-road. ~120K miles.

What else should I replace while I am doing the shocks. I was trying to find the body-to-frame bushings, but coudn't find any. I've done some searches and haven't come up with anything obvious? Any bumpstops or other bushings that should be replaced?

Thanks for your help,

-Kurt

Re: 3rd Gen Shock replacement...What Else? #729183 06/06/06 01:19 AM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,748
Dandeman Offline
Toyota Moderator
Welcome to 4x4wire Toyota forums!

I've never had to replace any suspension rubber on a Toyota until being beyond 220,000 miles, and only then with it being specific worn pieces, with the other rubber in the suspension still in good condition...

It seems to be very long lasting material, so at 120K I think you are fine...

The only thing to watch on the rear axle is the rear axle seals.. Some have had problems with them leaking...

Re: 3rd Gen Shock replacement...What Else? #729184 06/06/06 01:35 AM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 15,887
kewlynx Offline
Toyota & Classifieds Moderator
*****
To add to Dandeman, common cause of the axle seals popping is because the breather is clogged; the gases have to vent, so when this is clogged, pressure in the tube builds up, and eventually causes the seals to fail. Read more HERE

Keep an eye on your CV boots up front. If you live in cold country, they tend to crack and run the grease out.


http://www.walkablecommunities.org/

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

**ubi apis- ibi salus**
Re: 3rd Gen Shock replacement...What Else? #729185 06/06/06 05:13 AM
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,690
Jeff the marmot Offline
Roll Me Over
*****
Here are some other 100K+ miles maintenance items that I can think of.

Replace O2 sensor(s?). It responds slower with age.
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/4Runner/tech/O2_Sensor/

Replace engine timing belt and water pump every 90K-100K miles. You risk destroying the engine if you let it go a long time beyond that without replacing it.
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/timing_belt/

Replace fuel filter, which many people replace at 100K since Toyota doesn't say much about this.
Clean the MAF sensor. See link.
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/tacoma_4runner_30k/maintenancep5.html

On my 4Runner, the front swaybar frame bushings died after about 120K miles. The stock rubber split and started coming out of the bracket there. Those are located directly underneath the frame rails behind the front wheels.

Spark plug wires are expected to last about 100K miles. Their electrical resistance supposedly increases with age.

Also refer to the 30K mile maintenance schedule which is explained here:
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/tacoma_4runner_30k/

I know many other vehicles recommend getting fuel injectors cleaned at 100K miles. I don't know what Toyota recommends.

Quote
To add to Dandeman, common cause of the axle seals popping is because the breather is clogged; the gases have to vent, so when this is clogged, pressure in the tube builds up, and eventually causes the seals to fail.


I agree that that's one of the possible causes, but I disagree that that's the most common cause. My rear axle seals leak and I get the rear axle rebuilt roughly every 50K miles. You're lucky if you haven't had to deal with that. But don't mess with it until it fails. You'll know when it fails because gear lube will fan out across the rear wheels and possibly also soak the rear brake drum shoes.

A few years ago I intentionally removed my "extended diff breather" on the rear axle to ensure that it's not the cause of my rear axle seal problems. Occasionally I still replace the (stock) rear breather just for the heck of it to ensure it's not clogged with dirt or causing rear axle problems. Other people have noticed that if someone has a dip in the routing of the extended diff breather line, gear lube can accumulate there and essentially plug the line, causing a build in pressure in the axle. The short while that I used an extended breather, I know mine wasn't clogged because I checked that. Still I have had repeated problems with the axle seals. There are so few deep water crossings now in Colorado that I removed the breather extension to be safe.


Jeff
2000 4Runner SR5, supercharger, rear e-locker, ARB front locker, 285/75R16 MT/R's, custom bumpers & skids
2007 Tacoma double cab 4x4 - stock
Re: 3rd Gen Shock replacement...What Else? [Re: Jeff the marmot] #729186 06/06/06 05:31 AM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 15,887
kewlynx Offline
Toyota & Classifieds Moderator
*****
Jeff, that's interesting. The axle leaks common to 3rd gens? I just bought a '99 and am going thru it right now, as there is no P/O history for the maintenance. You could eat off the frame until I found a mudpuddle. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />


http://www.walkablecommunities.org/

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

**ubi apis- ibi salus**
Re: 3rd Gen Shock replacement...What Else? [Re: kewlynx] #729187 06/06/06 03:28 PM
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,690
Jeff the marmot Offline
Roll Me Over
*****
Quote
The axle leaks common to 3rd gens?

Yes, there are quite a few 3rd gens on this forum and elsewhere who have had to deal with rear axle seal leaks. I don't think others have had as consistent an issue where I can say mine fails every 50K miles. Some people's have lasted more and some less.

Re: 3rd Gen Shock replacement...What Else? [Re: Jeff the marmot] #729188 06/06/06 05:11 PM
Anonymous
Unregistered
Wow, thanks for all the responses. I'll have to take a look at the timing belt. Is that a standard part of the 30K or 60K service, or something that's not typically done at the dealership?

Re: 3rd Gen Shock replacement...What Else? #729189 06/06/06 08:02 PM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 26
TRDatVT Offline
Getting the Wheeling Fever
Ditto... Oils seals are pouring out into the drums at 105,000... AGAIN! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />


1999 4-runner
TRD Supercharger, 5 speed, 2 inch pulley, Dual 2.5" exhaust, AEM Brute Force Intake, Supra Injectors
Re: 3rd Gen Shock replacement...What Else? #729190 06/07/06 04:01 AM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 15,887
kewlynx Offline
Toyota & Classifieds Moderator
*****
Read the 30K article if you haven't already. Also, you can take the VIN to the dealer and ask for a service schedule; got one for the '99 I just picked up.

We DO have a 3.4 timing belt writeup here in the Toyota section via the link in the header.


http://www.walkablecommunities.org/

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

**ubi apis- ibi salus**

Moderated by  4x4Wire, Adam F, Dandeman, kewlynx 







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