Diff bearings and solid spacer

[Scruffy Member Find all posts View Profile Close Scruffy]

I have a set of ARB lockers to fit. My Prado has done just over 100K with no noises from the axles.

What are peoples opinions on the following?

To replace the bearings as a matter of course?
What brand of bearings to use? Are Koyo bearings a good brand? http://locktup4x4.com.au/hd-master-i...rear-1690.html

Should I fit a solid pinion spacer whilst it is all apart? Can the pinion bearings be safely reused?
Pros and cons please folks?
Thanks

[BlakMoth Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close BlakMoth]

ARB prefer to replace the bearings when they do the lockers. Genuine don't cost much.


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[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Arb don't replace the bearings. Well it might depend which one, but the many I have discussed it with dont. Either do OL fitting e-lockers.

At such low Klm's, you don't need to replace them especially as they don't cause problems. Good bearings, just look after them.

When fitting you don't touch the pinion, so don't upset it either.

[BlakMoth Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close BlakMoth]

They replaced mine and told me they recommend to do it every time


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[Razorback81 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Razorback81]

They replaced mine and told me they recommend to do it every time


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of coarse THEY replaced them !!
ask for the old ones back and they would have already gone in the bin

YEA Right !

sorry my little rant for the day

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

The reuse of bearing IMO is a waist of time. New bearing cost under $100 even less for a shop. It would take more time in labour to remove the old carrier bearings than to fit new ones. I have seen first hand the damage caused by rough fitters to the air seal surface on the locker carrier.
Pinion bearings are usually not changed when installing a locker. It would be good insurance to replace both sets and install a solid spacer at the same time.
The diff lock in my car I fitted at 180000 km and did not replace the pinion bearings. 210000 and still no noise.
If you have the spare cash have both sets replaced and add the solid spacer. Get it done at a diff specialist rather than at the accessory shop.

Just my 5 1/2 cents.

Rusty.

[Scruffy Member Find all posts View Profile Close Scruffy]

50/50 so far then!
Anybody come across this - those that have done the job themselves?

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

Yes I read that in the instruction for my diff. Did not need to grind in the 120 series.

Rusty.



A little trick to make life easier is to grind a slot in the brake line bracket so you don't need to bleed the brakes later.



Sue was not happy to see the ring gear in her new oven.








pic upload

[BlakMoth Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close BlakMoth]

of coarse THEY replaced them !!
ask for the old ones back and they would have already gone in the bin

YEA Right !

sorry my little rant for the day

That's ok mate id just prefer to have all new stuff down there. My car is ten years old and I have no real idea how it was treated for the first 9. The last year and a half has seen it off road a hell of a lot. I don't need any failures caused by trying to save a $100.


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[BlakMoth Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close BlakMoth]

Pretty sure I didn't pay for the bearings either 😉


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[120prado Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 120prado]

Always inspect bearings before reusing, as toyota are slack when setting up their diffs and can usually see the uneven wear marks or if the oils havent been changed on regular basis then will definitely see excessive wear.
As for the solid spacer be very careful, before if its not the correct size within 10 thousandths of a inch then bearing preload can be not enough or even too much. And not much point in a solid spacer unless running lots of power or BIG tyres and even then for a road going prado not worth it as the collapsible spacer is plenty.
And yes ARB dealers more than likely will replace carrier bearings on older cars and newer cars as once a bearing has set itself into a groove it can cause problems in not resetting them properly.
Some ARB dealers have also been trained in doing full diff rebuilds so don't hesitate in talking to your local store.
The Prado will never need the pinion to be grind down, this is mainly in the hilux only.

[Scruffy Member Find all posts View Profile Close Scruffy]

Having trawled the net and ebay I found the cheapest (quality) bearings I could get were in the region of $35 + postage from Europe or US which would have been approximately $100 for a pair or $65 each in Oz from a local supplier.

The local Toyota stealer wanted $106 each and Amayama were about $50 each ex Japan + freight. Imagine my delight to be able to buy a pair of Timken Bearings for $30 each from my local ARB!