Toyota 43430-04020 Shaft Assembly, Front Drive, Right

First, take off the wheel lug nuts, use a jack lift the car, and put it on jackstands that won't move. Drain the differential. Before you can take off the axle shaft hub nut and washer, you need to remove the cotter pin, lock cap, and prybar from the wheel studs on models that do not have free-wheeling hubs. Remove the nut and washer. To disconnect the axle shaft from the steering knuckle, first remove Tacoma's free-wheeling hub, then remove a snap-ring and its spacer to break free the axle shaft assembly. Hit the axle shaft off the steering knuckle with a hammer and brass drift, being careful not to touch the threads and splines with metal tools. To get the axle shaft out, pull on the steering knuckle from the outside while you lift the lower control arm away from the knuckle. Hit the axle shaft assembly gently with the rubber mallet or brass drift bar if it catches. First, tighten the hub nut on the axle shaft, only if your model doesn't have the free-wheeling option. Models with free-wheeling need a fresh axle shaft snapring before putting everything back together.

A thorough check of other possible causes should be conducted before concluding that the axle is the problem.

Disconnect the leaf spring U-bolts and remove the spacers, bumpers, and spring seats.