Cardan shaft (4WD models)
Examination
1. Raise the rear of the vehicle with a jack and install secure safety supports. Chock the front wheels of the car to prevent it from rolling off the supports. Release the handbrake and move the gearshift lever to neutral.
2. After moving under the vehicle, inspect the driveshaft. Check the shaft tubular body for dents and cracks. The defective shaft must be replaced.
3. Check for oil leaks at the front and rear ends of the shaft. A leak where the driveshaft connects to the transfer case indicates a damaged transfer case seal. If the leak is observed at the point where the shaft connects to the differential, it means that the pinion seal has become loose.
4. While under the vehicle, have an assistant turn the rear wheel so you can observe the rotation of the driveshaft. Check the operation of the shaft joints - they should rotate without jamming, make no noise and have no play. Listen to the hanger bearing; any noise coming from it indicates wear or damage. Also check the rubber damper of the suspension bearing for cracks and delamination.
5. The cardan shaft joints can be checked even when the shaft is not rotating. Grasp the hinge on both sides and try to turn it. Any movement in the hinge itself is a sign of significant wear. Try also to move the cardan shaft upwards - there should be no movement in the joints. If wear on the joints is evident, replace the front or rear driveshaft as a set.
6. Lastly, check the tightening of the driveshaft mounting bolts.
Removal
8. Raise the rear of the vehicle with a jack and install secure safety supports. Chock the front wheels of the car to prevent it from rolling off the supports. Release the handbrake and move the gearshift lever to neutral.
9. Mark the relative positions of the drive shaft and differential pinion flanges (see Figure 11.9) - this will help to accurately install the cardan shaft in its original place during assembly.
Figure 11.9. Mark the relative positions of the flanges of the drive shaft and the differential pinion.
10. Loosen the rear hinge mounting bolts by turning the propeller shaft (or a wheel) for better access. Remove four bolts, nuts and washers (see Figure 11.10).
Figure 11.10. While holding the nut with the second open-end wrench, loosen all four bolts.
11. Loosen the bolts securing the suspension bearing bracket to the bottom of the vehicle (see figure 11.11).
Figure 11.11. The hanger bearing bracket is secured with two bolts.
12. Pull the front of the driveshaft out of the transmission and remove the driveshaft assembly from the vehicle.
Installation
13. Lubricate the lips of the transfer case oil seal with multi-purpose grease. Carefully insert the intermediate shaft crosspiece into the transfer case, then tighten the hanger bearing bracket bolts, but do not tighten them yet.
The article was copied from the portal ToyotaMan
14. Connect the flange of the propeller shaft to the flange of the differential drive gear, aligning the relative position marks made during removal. Tighten the mounting bolts to the specified torque Specifications.
15. Adjust the position of the suspension bearing (see figure 11.15, a, b), then tighten the mounting bolts to the specified torque Specifications.
Figure 11.15,a. Adjust the gap between the rear hinge cover and the flange of the rear propeller shaft as shown...
Figure 11.15,b....then adjust the distance between the rear of the suspension bearing and the rubber damper.