Disassembly

Fig. 17 Exploded view of front drive axle assembly. 1986-88 Pickup & 4Runner:

1. Place carrier assembly on a suitable workbench, Fig. 17.
2. Remove differential cover, then remove side gear shafts from differential.
3. Remove 4 attaching bolts, then remove differential side tube.
4. Remove side gear shaft oil seals, using a suitable puller.
5. Check ring gear runout. Runout should be .0028 inch. If runout is greater than specified, install new ring gear and drive pinion gear.
6. Check ring gear backlash. Backlash should be .0051-.0071 inch.
7. Check side gear backlash. Backlash should be .0020-.0079 inch. If side gear backlash is not as specified, select and install correct thrust washer.
8. Measure drive pinion preload between backlash, using a suitable torque wrench. Preload should be 5.2-8.7 inch lbs.
9. Check total preload. Total preload in addition to drive pinion preload should be 3.5-5.2 inch lbs.
10. Loosen staked portion of companion flange locknut, then retain flange using tool No. 09330-00021 and remove nut.
11. Remove companion flange using tool No. 09557-22022.
12. Remove oil seal, using tool No. 09308-10010, then the oil slinger.
13. Remove rear bearing from drive pinion, using tool No. 09556-30010, then the bearing spacer.
14. Mark relative position between bearing cap and differential carrier, then remove 2 bearing caps.
15. Using tool No. 09504-22010 and a suitable hammer, remove 2 side bearing preload adjusting plate washers. Measure and note adjusting plate thickness.
16. Remove differential case with bearing outer race from carrier. Tag components as to original location to facilitate installation.
17. Remove drive pinion from differential carrier.