I share what I believe are the best modifications to start out with for your 4th gen 4runner here: The Sport Editions also have bigger brakes than the sr5. If you have a 2WD 4th gen 4Runner, your driveline is not serviceable and therefore there will be no zerk fittings for you to grease. My Haynes manual says for chassis grease, an NLGI No.2 lithium base chassis grease is to be used. Im not sure how I feel about this one. With the grease gun I purchased, I simply had to unscrew the grease gun cap (the side where the grip is located), remove the cap to the grease tube, crank the grease gun handle back all the way, insert the tube with the open side up, screw the grease gun cap back on, then pull back on the handle while releasing the stop so that the handle presses into the grease tube. The 4runner is currently deep into its 5th generation but newer doesnt always mean better. How many of you have replaced them on your 4th gen? propeller shaft) is a key maintenance item on the 4th generation Toyota 4Runner that every owner should be doing. If you invest a little in maintaining the U-joints, you can surely extend the life of these parts. This was apparently fixed in the newer models. Its noticeably smoother and quieter than the V6. cardan joint driveshaft rear double toyota 4runner 4x4 difficult bit In the 15 years since it was first released, these are the common problems people have found with the 4th gen 4runner: This is noticeable by a loud ticking noise coming from the engine especially when its cold. Features include heated leather seats, illuminated running boards, dual zone climate control, rear air suspension on V8s, anti-theft system with immobilizer, and a Homelink garage door opener. Horsepower jumped from 235hp to 270hp, and torque went from 320 ft lbs to 330 ft lbs. se59 fj swaybar 4runner With those six locations greased, you have now successfully greased your driveshafts/propeller shafts. I started Canadian Gearhead to share my passion for Toyotas and my love for taking ridiculously good care of them. How to tell if bad? Lift the car into the air, either with the front lower than the rear or level. 17 minimum. It is best to have the transmission inspected to decide which changes are necessary. When the universal joint breaks down, the driveshaft will drop, no longer able to transfer power. Made modifications or gotten a bigger engine to improve your vehicles horsepower? 90r kzj9 lj9 338 people have looked at this part recently. How long will a 4th Gen 4runner last? How Long Can You Drive With A Bad U-Joint? The system is helpful when it works, but when it doesnt its a pain. The driveshaft assembly can loosen and fall off. 4runner camburg Got home, smelled something odd, and there was grease all over. This will stop the fluid leaking from the transmission. I have had issues with 2 calipers within a year. One rear that just needed to be cleaned up and greased, and a front that needed to be replaced. The Urban Runner was released this year. Required fields are marked *. Many popular features were available throughout the entire generation so theres no need to avoid these. If you want to get professional help for your U-joint replacement, expect to pay anywhere between $200 to $450 depending on the make, model, and year of the vehicle as well as the extent of the damages. joints joint grease cv 4runner toyota universal 4th gen jbl amsoil lubricants nav seating row 3rd limited Toyota used thinner metal to help them to heat up quickly for emission purposes, and that combined with the weight of the catalytic converter hanging off the back makes them crack over time. Under normal operation, it sends 40% to the front wheels and 60% to the rear. Once you decide the type of grease you want to use and where you want to use it, have your grease gun(s) ready with your grease(s) of choice. This was the only 4th gen 4runner to ever feature an electronic locking rear differential. My 2003 Toyota 4Runner owners manual doesnt say anything about how often to grease the driveshaft; it only specifies what type of grease to use. The good news, however, is that there are telltale symptoms to let you know that the u-joints in your vehicle need attention. We shift from 4 high to 4 low as well as lock/unlock the transfer case once a month. Theres an endless debate over which engine is the better choice for the 4runner. With tape or rubber band, fasten the 2 opposing bearing cups to the replacement joint. All Rights Reserved. The 2UZ-FE V8 was borrowed from the Tundra, Sequoia, and even the Lexus GX470. through, do not create a new one, contact staff for help via the "Contact Us" Any gear oil leaks? Look out for these signs. Clean the area with your cleaner and then wipe away all the old grease and dirt to expose the zerk fitting on the spider joint. One of the 4runners biggest strong suits continues to be its longevity. For instance, pickup trucks come with u-joints at both ends of the driveshafts. The V6 and V8 models both come with different trailer hitches. Fortunately, you can buy U-joints in a greasable design for most vehicles. 1 (FOR PROPELLER SHAFT). To raise it, insert the key into the lock on the hatch and turn to the right, Holding the Mode button on the steering wheel audio controls will turn the stereo on and off, Theres a trash bag holder that folds out from the back of the center console, No need to slam the rear hatch closed. Thinking of taking your 4runner off-roading? Cleaning the area usually helps uncover the locations of these fittings. sr5 4wd 213k v6 miles 2005 4runner Theres a hidden flap inside the glove box at the back that reveals an extra secret compartment, The rear window can be lowered remotely by pressing and holding the bottom button on the key fob. The Top 10 Reasons: Does Your Toyota 4runner Need A Trailer Brake Controller? Enter your VIN for the most accurate results. The final stage of a bad U-joint is a vehicle incapable of moving anymore. 4runner Alternatively, my Haynes Manual for the 2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner says that it should be done every 7,500 miles or every 6 months. Greasing the driveshaft is a messy job, so you dont want to get this all over your hands. These are generally 7/16 or . We can easily predict the service life of some parts of the vehicle, like shocks. PIECE, BALANCE, NO. Knowing the condition of your car parts will help you estimate how long can you drive with a bad U-joint. 2006-2022, ToyotaPartsDeal.com by Genuine Parts Source, Inc. Search by Part Number, Part Name, Description. The differences between these were based on comfort and appearance options. Move to the differential end and lift the tail of the driveshaft to get it into place. I wont go into the details of what grease to use here as I went in-depth about it earlier in the post. This is easy to do especially since youre under the vehicle and already have the grease gun ready. Greasing or servicing the bearings will not do much to reduce the damage, but it may extend the service life. Remove the tool and flip it before repeating on the other side. Toyota actually offered to fix a bunch of these free of charge but I believe that program has since ended. When the time finally came to make the switch, I chose a 4th gen Toyota 4runner. If I maintain the speed there is no noise. Talk to any 4runner owner and theyll likely tell you the best engine is the one they have. The mechanic can be expected to choose high-quality replacement U-joints featuring a grease fitting. Its found in the Land Cruiser, Tundra, and Sequoia as well as the Lexus GX470 and LX470. If not maintained they can wear out pretty fast it all depends on the conditions the under side of the vehicle has been through and wether or not they've been kept up with maintenance wise. It is crucial to address a bad U-joint as soon as you suspect there might be problems with the component. Examine driveshaft alignment post lifting to ensure functionality inside the specs. Thats a huge bonus for adventure seekers. After the vibrations stated above, if you still do not get your vehicle checked, the U-joint will move on to damaging the transmission tail shaft bushing and output shaft seal, which then causes transmission fuel leak. Announcements, Tips & Tricks, Site Feedback, Test Section, & Contact Us, Tech Write-Ups (Staging Area & More Articles In The Wiki), Staging Area For Tech Article Submissions, General Vehicle Related Topics (Non Year Related), General Electrical & Lighting Related Topics, 99+ Tundra, 00+ Sequoia, 98+ Land Cruiser/LX470, Off Road Tech, Fab Shop, Solid Axle Swaps, Tool Time, & Engine Swaps, Trip Planning, Trail Reports, Land Usage, 4Wheeling 101, Camping Gear, Off-Road Gourmet, & More, Off Road Trip Planning, Expeditions, Trips, & Events, Off Topic, Wiki Discussions, Fraudulent Vehicle Listings, & Stolen Rigs, Buying & Selling Advice - Feeler/Gauging Interest, Toyota Tacoma 4WD - Four Wheel Drive Guides, Replaced rear diff pinion seal, now I have a low rumble on deceleration. Once taken out, you can remove the driveshaft by pushing it forward, down, and once more rearward. Upgrade your ride with the NEW Geniune TRD Bronze Wheel. I do want to point out that my Haynes manual doesnt make any mention of these specific instructions. VIP Security System, Courtesy Lamp Switch. Both V6 and V8 models use a 2 speed transfer case with a Torsen limited slip differential. These didnt suffer from the frame recalls that the Tacoma did but theyre still very prone to rusting if not cared for. universal joint.). In addition, U-joints could break; it is not a rare incident. Usually, this is the next stage after deterioration due to inadequate grease in the bearing. A simple dab of grease at this contact point helps with noise when youre making a full turn of the steering wheel. The photos follow from left to right as if you were looking from the front of the vehicle to the rear. Scott 75130 Shop Towels, 55 Towels (12 rolls). Keep in mind that you will also be increasing the strain exerted on the driveshaft, as well as the U-joints. Many believe (myself included) that this version of the 4runner is the best of all. Despite being the base model, they still offered plenty of features. That sucks. Advertising - The 4th generation 4runners can be divided into 2 different eras. Toyota recommends using 91 octane fuel but you can use 87 octane safely. Universal joints could last decades, but they can also break despite the vehicle being new. Is it OK to Use Dishwashing Soap to Wash your Car? No big deal. Think my 04 has clips that hold the u joint cups in. driveshaft 4runner The driveshaft is made up of several components utilizing zerk fittings for lubrication points. 4runners have a no hold start system which means you dont need to hold the key in the on position to start it. The Urban Runner featured different badges and the 18 wheels from the Limited. After the cup is properly seated, use a hammer to secure the yoke. Do Headers Add Horsepower Rev Up Your Car Today! All 44 4runners have Traction Control, Vehicle Stability Control, Downhill Assist Control and Hill Start Assist Control. That being said, there may be many other reasons behind a leaky transmission. Theyre all capable and reliable. The appearance of the SR5 is a bit blander than other models. You can then squeeze the pistol grip until grease just starts to come out. lift Dealer sets actual price. This is not a major problem at all. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. cherokee rear grand driveshaft joints For more info on towing with a Toyota 4runner, check out this article: 4runners are not particularly fuel efficient vehicles regardless of what engine you choose. Sport Edition 4runners also have X-REAS suspension and model-specific seat fabric. Then you are going to have a whole different vibration source to deal with. When I'm not writing and not working my day job, you can find me spending time with my family and working on home and car projects. P0136 Everything You Need To Know About O2 Sensors. It may be possible to do this work under your vehicle if you have a tall enough lift on the vehicle, but even with my 3 lift, I still didnt have a lot of room to work. This was the year the 4runner underwent a facelift. As you can see from the images below, there are two zerk fittings located towards the front of the transfer case. If you do, this can be a costly fix. With every rotation of the driveshaft, the bearing portion twists a little, causing the grease to evaporate or wear off the bearing cup. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Welcome to Motor Verso. The X-REAS suspension is great when it works. There is a bit of variability in information related to how often you should be greasing your driveshaft, as well as what type of grease you should be using on the various components of the propeller shafts. Want to know everything there is to know about towing with a 4runner? Continue fastening the threaded rod to remove one cap from the yoke. And theyll fix the cvs. Make sure to read this article if youre interested in getting the best fuel economy out of your 4runner: The 4th gen 4runner is part of Toyotas global 120 Series platform. Connected to the axle, it would flex or bind when the car encountered bumps. Knowing about the correct operation as well as maintenance of universal joints can save you from spending hundreds, if not thousands at the repair shop. Below is a diagram I made of the whole driveshaft assembly and where youll need to grease the various zerk fittings. The V8 hitch hangs lower and mounts directly to the frame. I'm assuming the tires are in reasonable condition. If you look at the set of three photos below, they are taken from the drivers side of the vehicle looking at the undercarriage. Make sure to force out the grease until it just begins to leave the feeder tube. 2 nuts and bolts, alternatively, 4 four bolts are used to secure the rear yoke to the differential yoke a number that changes depending on the make, model, and year of the vehicle. As a result, the bearing dries up, metal-to-metal contact is initiated, and the universal joint bearings squeak when the rotation happens. Motor Verso is an automotive website; for car enthusiasts, run by car enthusiasts. With adverse driving conditions, hard driving, and enough miles on the car, the universal joints may give up faster than expected. Its worth noting that this was the year the horsepower rating system was changed. These have become rather rare finds nowadays and can be quite sought after. All 4th gen 4runners have independent front suspension and a solid rear axle. It is necessary to inspect for transmission leakage. Fawk. I believe this is the #1 killer of Toyota 4runners. Left photo: front differential to the front driveshaftMiddle photo: front driveshaft meets the transfer case and then continues to the rear driveshaftRight photo: rear driveshaft to the rear differential. I chose to upgrade to a pair of headers from Doug Thorley. Look out for broken or chipped bearing caps, missing bearing, rust, or retaining clips in the yokes. Toyotas 4th generation of their beloved 4runner was sold from 2003 to 2009. 2022 The Track Ahead. Mine is one of them. It came in three colors white, silver and black. As long as youve checked the VIN to see its accident history, any rust free 4runner (with documented service records preferably) will be a good purchase. Neglecting a U-joint replacement even though symptoms have started to display can bring many severe consequences. Its just an annoying/embarrassing sound that will drive you crazy. Ive decided to lay out this info into a 4th gen Toyota 4runner buyers guide to aid anyone else out there with their search. Models with the 4.7L V8 can tow 7,000 lbs (7,300 for 2WD versions). The following errors occurred with your submission. best modifications to start out with for your 4th gen 4runner here: Why Are Toyota 4runners So Popular? The type of grease that needs to be used for the slip yoke and the spider joint tends to have a lot of conflicting information. Its been noted on the forums that the early (03/04) model V6 4runners had some issues with head gaskets. Hold the yoke assembly/U-joint by the joint cups and strike the yoke sharply. You sure it's not a bearing and or tires? As mentioned multiple times before, lack of lubrication is harmful to the health of U-joints. Over time, normal wear and tear take a toll on every component of the car, not just the U-joint. *Free Ground Shipping coupon up to $200 Value. The V8, air suspension, X-REAS suspension and JBL audio were all options right from the very beginning. Putting your car through extreme applications such as off-roading, racing, or continual payload towing will put additional strain on the driveshaft, accelerating the wear of U-joint. At that point, you may not be able to get away with just a U-joint replacement; the entire driveshaft might need to be changed. This helps to cut down on wind noise on the highway, A burger tray folds out from the center armrest of the back seat, If you unlock the doors with the remote but dont open any of them within 30 seconds, they will relock on their own, Moving the front seat all the way forward, removing the headrest, then tilting it all the way back lines it up with the rear seat and forms a bed. Theyll likely never have a V8 again if their current direction is any indication. I should probably dig deeper into this. These are the cheapest and easiest to find on the used market. These trucks are indeed the real deal. Your email address will not be published. As long as theyre maintained and kept free of rust, theres no reason why they wont last for 500,000 miles (804,000 kms) or more. Once you navigate through the confusion around the the maintenance interval and the grease type, the maintenance itself is quite easy and ensures you keep your driveline in tip-top shape. Youll also hear all sorts of anecdotal accounts of Person A running lithium grease in both slip yokes and spiders going on 200k miles on their 4Runner. Lower the vehicle to ground level, start the engine and note any clunking in the U-joints/driveshaft. Follow the instructions that come with the grease gun. All of them do it eventually and its a fairly expensive fix. All Rights Reserved. Auto leveling and height adjustable rear air suspension was available on V8 Limited models. Never ignore the signs your car is giving you, especially if they may be related to a poor U-joint. Restrictions May Apply. How Long Can You Drive With A Bad U-Joint: Reasons Behind U-Joint Failure, How Long Can You Drive With A Bad U-Joint: A Step-by-Step Guide On Replacing A U-Joint, How Long Can You Drive With A Bad U-Joint: Replacement Cost Of U-Joint. Its very easy to get set up and it comes with two different reinforced nozzles for use with zerk fittings. Theres a reason why theyre so hard to find on the used market if someone has one, theyre likely not willing to let it go. round shaped wheel wells replaced the old square shaped ones. The 4 speed transmission that accompanied it was carried over from the 3rd gen 4runner.
4th gen 4runner u joint replacement