Value of a 3rd Gen with bent rear axle?

I have a 3rd Gen 4runner that I love, and unfortunately the rear axle got bent. As much as I love it, I'm not capable of doing the work myself and the price for a mechanic to fix it is pretty high, so I'm wondering if it makes more sense for me to sell it and use the proceeds to buy a newer (and much less cool) car. But I'm not sure how much it is worth. It's a limited edition, 3.6L engine, locking rear differential, and 4wd. It does have 220,000 miles, but besides the rear axle, I'm not aware of other major issues. I replaced the lower ball joints and radiator at 170k, and the exterior is in good condition.

 

Bent shaft or housing?

 

Bent shaft

 

Hows the underside?

Couple thousand. Get ready for people to low ball you since work is needed.

 

Some spots of rust. To my (not very experienced) eye, not what I would call a rust problem, but it's not completely clean. Appreciate the heads up

 

Where are you located, maybe update your profile location. It'll make a difference in what it's worth to people.

 

Western Washington/Pacific Northwest. Thanks, I updated my profile

 

You mentioned a high price for repair. Do you have a quote? Willing to share it?

 

The mechanic quoted ~$700 for labor, which I think is a pretty great deal (this guy has done me solid in the past), but I need to source a used axle assembly myself and I am having trouble finding one less than ~$1,800 once shipping is accounted for. I am waiting for some quotes from car-parts . com, I just don't have the luxury of waiting too long as it's my only vehicle

 

Did you say bent shaft (post #3)?
If the housing is ok, then just get a pair of chromoly shafts and an install kit for each side. $900-ish. They will be on their way in a couple days max.

 

Pretty sure they meant housing at those prices.

 

Hence my question. If it is a shaft, no need for the whole axle assembly. It doesn't add up.

 

I'm guessing they don't know their vocabulary/parts involved. The way they said "axle assembly" let's me know they meant the whole housing. If the housing bends sometimes the axle shaft also bends with it. So I would imagine his mechanic said "get everything."

 

Clarification, it is both axle shafts, not the housing. My mechanic for some reason had trouble finding replacement axle shafts, so he recommended replacing the whole assembly. Not sure why he couldn't find replacement axles, but I am leaning towards doing this. he did explain that changing the axle shafts is a lot of work, so maybe he recommended changing the assembly to keep costs down, not realizing how expensive a used assembly is

 

Changing the axle shaft isn't that bad. He probably doesn't want to deal with pressing on new bearings, which requires some special tools. I'm curious how both axle shafts are bent and not the housing. That doesn't seem too common.

 

yes, that is it, he mentioned that pressing the bearings was a pain. I'm not sure how the axle bent. I don't the car for off-roading, and I don't drive in a manner that I would think required to bend an axle. I did specifically ask if the housing was bent and he said no.

 

It's impossible, unless the vehicle was in an accident. Axle shafts don't bend without an impact of some kind.

How much do you want for it?

 

It must be that I hit some sort of pothole at enough speed, I have never been in an accident that would cause this. I have thought more about it and I realized that putting myself in a position where I have to buy a new car asap means I can't look for a good deal, so I'm going to pay to get it fixed. I hadn't thought through everything when I made this thread

 

Best of luck!

 

Thanks to everyone who helped me out! Appreciate the advice, you have helped me think through a tough situation

 

I would not think it possible without a major impact. I just had my axles replaced and bearings it was less than 1200 all in (Arizona). Had to hire a mechanic shop only for the press as I had no time to make one.

 

Ok. So why do you think the axle shafts are bent? Is the rear axle leaking into the rear brakes and more?

Are your wheels wobbly when rotating?

Or is this all because your mechanic said your axle shafts are bent?

@Happy4x4

 

It started off as a burnt fluid smell near the right rear. It got worse fast, and there was some grinding sounds from the right rear brake. At this point, I brought it to the shop asap. The mechanic told me the axle was bent, at it matched the symptoms I saw. Additionally, I trust the mechanic

 

Before making any other decisions I would get a second opinion. Sounds like you just need rear wheel bearings, seals and likely new brake shoes if they are wet. But I'm not there to inspect it.

 

Yeah this all sounds suspicious. Axles don't just bend. I'd get a 2nd opinion.

 

Probably the bearing got damaged, you can pay to replace the bearing for $300, it is not not a hard job but requires some know how to remove the bearing and a press (Harbor freight $169) to install

 

The bearings were damaged. I saw the axle in person, it was bent. I think the bearings finally went out midway through a drive, and I was some miles from home. Stupidly, I drove on it longer than I should, thinking it was a brake issue.