Rear End Replacement- which type

[jcouch]

Which type of rear end does my 1998 SR5 4x4 4-runner have...My mechanic just determined both rear axles are bent on my 1998 4runner. This was detected when the rear end started making abnormal noise due the bearings popping out. It was suggested I should replace the entire rear end. However, the Toyota dealership informed me there are (3) different types of rear ends for this model and I need to know the "ratio" to determine which type...in order to determine the ratio, the rear end woudl need to be dis-assembled in order to count the gear teeth. Is there any way of determining which rear end I have short of disassembling the existing rear end?????

[Runner Rider]

i know that if you disassemble it it is stamped on the ring gear. it may be on the tag inside the doorjam.

i am bumfuzzled at how both axle shafts are bent. please elaberate

[lucky joe]

Got into this a few years ago on my 98". The carrier bearings went out and it was just as cheap to buy a 3rd member from the junkyard. If you are just replacing axles, no need to worry about what gear's in it.....they're compatible. If you are changing the entire unit, just make sure the gearing's the same (front & rear). The axle code in the drivers door jam will tell you. If it were me, I'd just replace the 3rd member and axles. I can't see anyway you could have bent the entire housing. Is it a factory "locking unit"? If you replace a "non" locking unit (factory) with a factory locking one, it won't fit. The pumpkin is different, so you would have to replace the entire thing. You would also have to run wires and mount a switch to activate it. It can be modified, but it's labor intensive!

[fourwd1]

Originally Posted by jcouch

Which type of rear end does my 1998 SR5 4x4 4-runner have...My mechanic just determined both rear axles are bent on my 1998 4runner. This was detected when the rear end started making abnormal noise due the bearings popping out. It was suggested I should replace the entire rear end. However, the Toyota dealership informed me there are (3) different types of rear ends for this model and I need to know the "ratio" to determine which type...in order to determine the ratio, the rear end woudl need to be dis-assembled in order to count the gear teeth. Is there any way of determining which rear end I have short of disassembling the existing rear end?????

Both axle shafts are bent? seems kind of strange. Is the axle housing bent?
Unless an exact determination of the whole problem and it's cause can found,
I think I would want to replace the entire rear axle.

The ratio is part of the axle code on the VIN plate on the doorjamb.