4Runner 2WD REAR WHEEL DRIVE

Hey,
1999 Toyota 4Runner 2wd 3rd gen rear drive. Could you help with the following:

• How many total ball joints are in this vehicle?
• I have the total drive belt services as AC comp, alternator, water pump/fan, power steering pump, and crank pulley. Total 5. Have I left out any if so, please advise.
• Would the serpentine belt address all five services? Is serpentine the right term or is there a better one? Note that I have not included the timing belt here.
• How many rubber boots are on the drive shaft? Is the drive shaft a single long one or two connected?
• This is a 2wd rear-wheel drive so there is no transfer case is this correct?

Thank you!

 

There are 4 ball joints on the 4runner, 2 upper ball joints and 2 lower ball joints. The lower is the one that is known to cause huge problems.

Dont know anything about the belts.

There are no rubber boots on the drive shaft and there is no transfer case on a 2wd. I believe the drive shaft is one long one.

 

Trekker thank you!

 

There are 3 belts, (not including the timing belt) on the 3.4L (5VZFE). Generally, newer cars have what’s referred to as a “serpentine” belt as it’s one long belt that winds through all the different pulleys/cranks (like a serpent). I’d just call them drive belts, but people will know what you’re talking about either way, the officious ones may “ummm acktuallly” you, but honestly who cares. Any self-respecting shop will replace all your drive belts when you do the timing belt, as you need to remove them to service it anyway. Use that opportunity to put a new thermostat and water pump, you’ll be in there anyway for the timing belt and they’re cheap parts to save labor on. The good news is the 3.4L is a non interference engine, so if your timing belt breaks you won’t damage the engine, it’ll just be a PITA and involve towing, more of an FYI than anything. That being said you should do it about every 100k miles or so

As trekker stated swap the LBJs, as those are the problematic ones. No T-case on your 2WD, but there are greasable zerks on the drive shaft that you should grease while fiddling down there.

 

Thank you very much. What service is the vane pump? what liquid is being pumped here?

 

It’s referring to the Power steering pump - you can flush and refill the reservoir with DOT III auto trans fluid

 

Thanks again.