Hello. I have a 2003 4Runner Sport Edition, 2 wheel drive with 176K miles. Recently, the rear axle started making a growling noise.. Yep, a bearing. I jacked the vehicle up, put it on jack stands and put it into drive so the rear wheels would turn (it is not a locking rear) and it sounded like the noise was coming from the pinion bearings. I checked the u jounts and they seemed tight. Also checked for any play in the yoke in the center carrier assemble and while there was some, there was no up and down movement, just some slack when you turned it before the wheels started to turn. How long is it safe to run it like this, or would it be best to just park it until I can get it fixed (I do have another car). Thanks for any advice.
Video advice
Not very safe. I've seen transfer cases and transmissions crack in half from slop in the driveline. It's going to start making everything else wear out causing more and more expensive damage. I would do it now if you intend to keep this vehicle.
A good transmission shop should be able to change pinion bearing for you.
HI Mountain Man. Like I said, the U joints are fine and there is no slop in driveline, just a rumble from the bearings. Never thought of a transmission shop, I'll check around. Thanks!
Well it's hard to say how long it'll last to make sure it's full of fluid. If it's low on fluid, fill it up. It does have internal wear and eventually it will wear out. The problem is these days hardly anyone knows how to rebuild them. What they do is they just put in a used or rebuilt unit. So if you drive it and eventually completely breaks apart it really doesn't matter cuz you're going to have to replace the whole thing anyway
Thanks Scotty. I do have fresh oil in it, and when I do drive it its only around town. Living in west Texas I don't trust it at 75+ MPH. Other than that and the paint being bad, its a great truck.