Finding/Repairing 97' elocker axle

japerry · Jun 9, 2008

Finally got my 4runner rolling today... we go down the road and notice the drivers side tire is wobbing really bad.

Long story short, it looks like the axle on one side is bent pretty well. I guess thats what you get for buying a cheap axle+elocker through craigslist.

So does anyone have an extra axle for a 96-00' 4runner or pre runner they'd like to pawn? Any way to fix this axle?

zukkev · Jun 9, 2008

Sorry no axle...Also I don't know of a safe way to 'fix' existing axle.Looks like you'll need a replacement----talk to Rich at Driveline Service...he may be able to help.

64FJ40 · Jun 9, 2008

If the tire wobbles going down the road, it's likely just a bent axle flange. If the housing was bent, you would have a lot more problems.

Is the shaft different for e-locker vs. open diffs?

japerry · Jun 9, 2008

yah its the axle flange thats bent -- I should've been more descriptive. Trail gear has stock replacement axle shafts, but not for 96+ .. they're only $65, and I see that B&R wrecking in graham have a ton of toyotas. Time to spin some axles!

The housing looks fine, no cracks, etc. The splines aren't worn either. The elocker axle is 60", the same as the 2wd 4runner 96+ / Tacoma TRD / etc according to http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/

johnboy1 · Jun 9, 2008

go to pull a part. the one in arlington is really nice.

japerry · Jun 9, 2008

heh I was there a few weeks ago ..thats where I got my Astro Van steering pump! =D sadly they only had one Toyota truck there that I could find, and it was a 2wd 93.

so with a bent flange, you guys think its offroad-able? My concern is something going funky if I have to bang down on it.

64FJ40 · Jun 10, 2008

It's got disk brakes right? How bad is the disk runout at the caliper? That would be my primary concern - to make sure that's not going to cause a catastrophic failure with your brakes. Personally, I'd stop and fix the problem while it's only 1 bad part that you have to pay for.

japerry · Jun 10, 2008

heh well they're drums, but thats a good point -- I don't want to break my breaks. They have little wear on them too. heh I wish woodinville still had its wrecking yards!

skrause · Jun 10, 2008

I know where there's one sitting in Auburn. :redneck:

japerry · Jun 11, 2008

skrause said:
I know where there's one sitting in Auburn. :redneck:

heh sitting -- as in axle available? ;-) I wanna head down tomorrow or thursday to pick something up. PM me if you have more details!

It needs to be drum brakes, I think most 97s have that though.

skrause · Jun 11, 2008

japerry said:
heh sitting -- as in axle available? ;-) I wanna head down tomorrow or thursday to pick something up. PM me if you have more details!

It needs to be drum brakes, I think most 97s have that though.

It's sitting on a trailer attached to a truck that hasn't been wheeled in forever. :redneck: PM grntaco for details. :awesomework: