Best bet on a fair price would be a shop that specializes in rear axle/gears, like a ring and pinion shop. There's a shop by me that's actually called Ring and Pinion... When it's something that is all they do, they tend to be better priced, and better at it.

I had mine replaced on the 2010, but was covered by a tsb, and was still under warranty, so I have no idea cost.

 

Best bet on a fair price would be a shop that specializes in rear axle/gears, like a ring and pinion shop. There's a shop by me that's actually called Ring and Pinion... When it's something that is all they do, they tend to be better priced, and better at it.

I had mine replaced on the 2010, but was covered by a tsb, and was still under warranty, so I have no idea cost.

The advisor told me that the diff must be bad if both bearings are going out. I said I don’t think so, the Mobil 1 is as clear as the day I put it in. I mentioned the TSB, he looked it up and backed down. I called a different dealer and was quoted a much better price so I’m going to take it to them. $1500 is a small price to pay after I saw the 2022 1794 on the lot for 77k

 

Most repair shops have a press for bearings. I would shop around.

 

Just had them done a few months ago. $1500 cash out the door! Also replaced and adjusted rear emergency brake. Thought it was a fair price. 135K miles pulling a travel trailer and plenty of weight on the rear axle. If you are in Phoenix, I can recommend a good shop!

 

AAA did mine about 6 years ago on my 2004. Cost me $400!

 

That's a 2004, totally different truck.

Wow. Unpleasantly surprised to hear this is a common issue.
I had a 2000 4x4 Tacoma that also had a common rear end issue.
On that vehicle, it was actually the rear axle seals that would fail, causing a string of other issues. The center portion of the differential had a pressure relief vent that would seize shut. The built-up pressure would cause the axle seals to blow out (literally) and fail. The immediate issue is that diff fluid would leak out passed the seals. That would gum up the rear brakes, causing them to lose stopping power (due to being covered in lubricant), and would also create a horrible sulfur smell as the fluid burnt off.
If left unchecked, it would 'wash out' the lubricant in the rear wheel bearings, as well as the obvious issue of the rear diff fluid getting low and causing damage that way.

I tried to do the seals myself when I realized the issue. It was a real bear of a job. I did it as a stubborn 20-year-old, but wouldn't go through it again. IIRC, I didn't even try the wheel bearings at that time.

What's the deal on the Tundra issue?

Toyota had a batch of bad bearings. It caused a TSB. Totally unrelated to your issue. Again, totally different truck.

With that said, breathers clog. Especially if someone goes mudding. The breather vent valve is a common issue in vehicles that have or had been abuse/mudding. Totally different than the bearing issue that Yota had.

This was a very common issue even in lower mileage vehicles years ago. The bearings would start to fail, allowing too much lateral play, causing the parking brake hat/drum to rub on the dust shield initially. Eventually if not caught on the rubbing noise, the bearings would just continue to get worse. In the last year or few I still see posts where people have the brake hat shaved down from rubbing instead of actually fixing the issue.

 

My 2010 had about 40,000 miles on it with some heavy trailer towing when a few years ago I started to hear noise. I was in disbelief that I would need to replace the wheel bearings with such low mileage on it. Started to look through treads, found one where they said there was a TSB on it. Found the TSB, took it to the dealer I purchased it new from and they split the cost of the job with me. I ended up paying $700 which replaced everything (Toyota makes a kit that I believe is only available to dealers) that included the wheel bearings, backing plates and new parking break hardware. I couldn't purchase OEM parts for less than what they did the job for, so no complaints. This was the only time anyone other than me has touched my truck as I do all my own maintenance and repairs.

 

You are able to buy that kit now. I had a non-Toyota shop I trust who was able to buy it. Those kits are expensive though. I think it was around $800 in parts for both sides. Also, in order to press in the bearings, the normal bearing press is too small by about a 1/4 in. It had to be taken to a suspension shop to use their press.

 

Wow. Unpleasantly surprised to hear this is a common issue.
I had a 2000 4x4 Tacoma that also had a common rear end issue.
On that vehicle, it was actually the rear axle seals that would fail, causing a string of other issues. The center portion of the differential had a pressure relief vent that would seize shut. The built-up pressure would cause the axle seals to blow out (literally) and fail. The immediate issue is that diff fluid would leak out passed the seals. That would gum up the rear brakes, causing them to lose stopping power (due to being covered in lubricant), and would also create a horrible sulfur smell as the fluid burnt off.
If left unchecked, it would 'wash out' the lubricant in the rear wheel bearings, as well as the obvious issue of the rear diff fluid getting low and causing damage that way.

I tried to do the seals myself when I realized the issue. It was a real bear of a job. I did it as a stubborn 20-year-old, but wouldn't go through it again. IIRC, I didn't even try the wheel bearings at that time.

What's the deal on the Tundra issue?

 

I am just in the shop replacing both front and rear wheel bearings for the first time. 2008 Crewmax limited with 240,000 miles. Yes you read that right, 240,000 miles

dave.jamieson@bell.net

 

I am just in the shop replacing both front and rear wheel bearings for the first time. 2008 Crewmax limited with 240,000 miles. Yes you read that right, 240,000 miles dave.jamieson@bell.net

What was your cost from dealer to replace?