I just bought a 1983 4x4 Toyota. The guy I bought it from had brake work done a month or so ago and they told him the front axle seals were leaking which he chose to not have replaced. The front left leaks oil enough to have it run down the inside of the tire overnight. I assume they should be easy enough to replace seeing as how a lot of it was recently apart. Is there anything else I should replace at the same time I have it apart? Bearings? Is this going to be a fairly simple process? I would guess I should check to see if the axle is bent causing it to leak, too.

Here is a writeup. If you have the time, pull it apart and replace any bearings that are bad. Gear oil can wash out the grease in the bearings and they can fail in short order.

You can get the kit from Marlin.

This is not for the mechanical novice. Each end of mine took about 6 hours...but that's on an axle that nobody have ever been in for 21 years....Half of that time was cleaning.

Anyhow, tools...snap ring pliers, socket sets ( everything from 10mil to 20, plus a 54 (or 53) for the spindle nuts. Torque wrench ( very important) gear oil, CV grease, bearing grease, rags ( lots ).....if you are replacing bearings you will need a hammer and a BRASS drift, NOT steel. Jacks, jack stands, containers for parts...

Point is, if you are going in, you gotta do it right. At the very least get a kit with all the seals and gaskets.

I see mention of an inner seal next to the sixth pic down on this page:

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/front_end/teardown

and mention of another inner seal here next to the ninth pic (after removing the 3rd member):

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/front_end/solid_axle

Is there a way to figure out which one is leaking without disassembling the entire axle? I'm betting everything is leaking due to the age of the truck. This ought to be fun!

Thanks for the links.

I've got all those tools except the 54 mm socket. The brake place that my buddy had taken it to was going to replace the leaking seals for $200. I wouldn't expect them to tear down the axle that far for only $200. If so, it would be worth it, IMO.

At this point, I'm only interested in stopping the leaking and replacing the bearings, if necessary. I'll look into getting the kit you mentioned.

Assume they are ALL leaking and ALL require replacement. Do it right.

where are you ?

I have 1 kit in stock for Canadians ...

i just order'd my rebuild kit for the kuckles and replacement seals for in inner axle houseing from front range, $75.00 plus shipping like $89.00 tot. cheapest place i could find for the whole kit looks like quality stuff, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />cant wait to get it so i can get geasy again..
anyway good luck with yours <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Picture # 6 this is the inner wheel bearing seal. They come in the kit. You want to clean, and pack your wheel bearings while you have it torn down.



This is the axle seal, it is the one that is leaking. There is one per side.. You do not have to pull the third member to get to it. Just a complete teardown of the knuckles.



Besides the pages that Roger gave you here is a copy of the Factory Service Manual that shows how to set-up the front axle.

http://www.lukemiller.org/toys/1985_toyota_4wd_front_axle_FSM.pdf


Here are places that you can purchase the complete knuckle rebuilding kit:

All-Pro http://www.allprooffroad.com/

Marlin http://www.marlincrawler.com/

FROR http://www.frontrangeoffroadfab.com/nfoscomm/catalog/

Trail-Mart http://www.trail-gear.com/

Sky http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/


You can also use a 2 1/8 socket instead of the 54mm.


I do not know how mechanical you are but I suggest that you locate someone that is willing to help you out doing this the first time. It looks simple but it can be deceiving if you have never done it before.

That is incorrect you dont have to take the knuckle off to change that. just dissassemble down to the spindle and pull the birfield out.