R&R front CV axles on 2nd Gen 4Runner

[Schattenjager]

Thinking about tackling this project myself. NAPA has the platinum version for about $70 each. Amazing. Stealership wanted $650 to do the job, but they have proven themselves to be less than laudable.

Anyone do this specific project? Curious as to time and difficulty.

My stock units click a little, so I would like to replace them with new and have the old units in the crash box.

:bike_rider:

 

[SLOYOTA]

I replaced the passenger side axle assembly in my '99 runner once. I know you have a 2nd gen but i doubt there is much difference. It's definitely a DIY job. I always remember the jobs that kick my @#$ and I definitely don't remember much on this one. If i had any trouble, it was stabbing the new assembly into the differential as there is a circlip that needs to seat when you install the assembly. good luck.

 

[shawkins]

Replacing axles on a 2nd gen is way easier than it is on 3rd gens. 2nd gens have a flange on the differential that the half shafts bolt to. If you pop out two or three of the studs on the flange and replace them with bolts you can remove and replace the shaft without unbolting the upper balljoint.

Heres the link to the old offroad.com tech tip from 1999 where this trick came from: http://www.off-road.com/trucks-4x4/tech/quickchange-ifs-front-axles-toyota-cheap-tricks-18458.html

Heres another old writeup for removing and rebuilding halfshafts from yotatech: http://www.yotatech.com/f128/changing-cv-boots-86-95-ifs-toyotas-81059/

I installed a Napa axle on my friends '95 4Runner when he tore a boot instead of rebuilding the stock axle. IIRC, it took around a half hour to swap the shaft.

Hope this helps!