I lost a bolt on my front diff. which caused my CV boot to explode & I figured it was time to change the CV shaft anyways so I have it torn apart.

I have always had a leak on the passenger side of my front diff. but it has never been to bad.

Should I change the seal on that side or is it a pain in the butt?

I have it torn apart & I am ready just to throw the new CV shaft back in but I wanted to clear it with the experts!

I just need a quick opinion, I won't hold anyone to it. I don't have a lot of time right now, so any opinions will be considered...

imo if it apart change it out. if that was mine, and i didn't change it. it would go the next week. i have played that game and lost almost every time.

Pop the stub shaft and replace it, get it from Toyota!!!!!

x 2 Better to change that than a trashed pumpkin. Check the condition of the carrier bearing while it's open if you can.

Easy to replace. Napa carries the seal too, but I'm sure the Toyota one is better quality.

How do you get to the darn thing? Do you drop the pumpkin & then take off front cover or do I have to take the driver side shaft off?

Do I need to get a new snap ring?

Oh its an '87 4runner...

I already bolted it up but I know I am just avoiding the inevitable.

It is in here;

http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-buchanan/93fsm/

Even though this is an FSM for a 93, the front diff is the same.

I looked at this diagram already:
front seal

So my question is do I have to pull the opposite side shaft out? Do I have to disassemble the entire front gears to get to the snap ring or do I use the SST to pull the passenger side shaft?

I am not trying to be rude, I am just letting you know that I am not the most gifted when it comes to this stuff. With that being said I usually just usually end up costing myself a bunch of money & time.

I also looked at the dissembly diagram & I damn sure don't have time or the patients to get that done without my wife kicking me out. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I am not really sure but I do not think you have to tear it all apart. The stub axle just pops out, you may need to use a slide hammer to pop it out. I broke a stub axle years ago and replaced it while the diff was still in the truck.