1997 Toyota 4Runner power train problems

“PURCHASED A USED 1997 4-RUNNER WITH CA. 258000 MILES EARLY IN 2020. ENGINE AND WHOLE BODY WAS GOOD. HOWEVER, 6 MONTH LATER THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY IN THE REAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SWINGING LIKE A BOAT, WHICH I THOUGH WAS DUE TO A BROKEN SHOCK, SPRINGS WERE NEWLY INSTALLED IN 2020. I NOTICED THAT REAR STABILIZER ARM ON PASSENGER SIDE HAD BROKEN OFF DUE TO RUST. WHEN DRIVING TO REPAIR SHOP THE CAR REAR AXLE BROKE LOOSE, SHIFTED, AND THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT - I COULD PULL OVER IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODE. PLEASE KNOW THAT THE RUST AN EXTENSIVE FRAME ROT ON THE THE REAR FRAME ON BOTH SIDES WAS NOT VERY VISIBLE FROM OUTSIDE. REPAIRS FOR FRAME WELD WERE 2500 -3000 USD. THE 1997 4-RUNNER, V6 IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE!”

“MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE SAME MODEL CAR AS MINE 1997 4RUNNER AND HIS FRAME SNAPPED FROM RUST. HE SAID HE COULD BARELY KEEP IT ON THE ROAD BUT MANAGED TO SLOWLY CREEP FORWARD UNTIL HE GOT HOME. THIS STORY SCARED ME BECAUSE I HAVE THE SAME EXACT CAR, SO I GO TO CHECK MY FRAME AND SURE ENOUGH, IT IS ALSO QUITE RUSTED. I'M AFRAID THAT IF I KEEP DRIVING ON IT THAT IT WILL SNAP AND COULD CAUSE INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. *TR”

“VEHICLE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTING OUT AROUND THE REAR SUSPENSION. TRAILING ARM MOUNT FROM AXLE TO FRAME IS SEPARATED FROM FRAME AND VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR”

“I HAVE A 1997 4RUNNER THAT IS CATASTROPHICALLY RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME AND HAS BEEN A DANGER SINCE PURCHASING. THE AMOUNT OF RUST HAS COMPLETELY EVAPORATED MY INVESTMENT. *TR”

“RUST THROUGH ON REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER TO THE POINT OF LEAKING APPROX 6 OZ PER WEEK OF GEAR OIL. THIS COVER IS WELDED ON TO THE REAR AXLE AND THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF REPLACING SEPARATELY. *TR”

“1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER REAR DIFFERENTIAL RUST THROUGH. I HAVE JUST NOTICED THAT MY 1997 4RUNNER IS LEAKING DIFFERENTIAL OIL AND AM CONCERNED THAT RUST OR FOREIGN DEBRIS WILL GET INTO THE DIFFERENTIAL AND CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I HAVE REMOVED THE 4RUNNER FROM OPERATION UNTIL THE DEFECT IS CORRECTED. THE RUST IS ON THE REAR TOP OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. THERE ARE VERY LARGE FLAKES OF RUST ON THE DIFFERENTIAL AND THE OIL IS LEAKING THROUGH SOME OF THE RUST HOLES. IT APPEARS THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS NOT MANUFACTURED WITH ADEQUATE THICKNESS IN THE METAL HOUSING AND HAD INADEQUATE CORROSION PROTECTION. *TR”