I noticed with the most recent fix or checking of the axles, I damaged the area on the seal where the spring is held for the passenger side and therefore was not holding the spring properly. I installed a new seal on the passenger side and sealed the seals and retainers on both sides with FIPG. At this time the driver side was still slowly leaking.

I'm hoping between a new seal and sealing everything with FIPG, that all leaks will be gone. I've now put enough mileage on the truck to check it out again, but I'm away for a couple weeks. I should be able to check it out not next weekend, but the following and I'm hoping I can return with good news!

I know that you said you replaced and extended the breather. Did you verify that it actually flows air? Dumb thought, I know, but it can get clogged anywhere in that circuit, even inside the diff.

Absolutely verify that it actually flows end to end. Back flow it into the housing with an air nozzles to make sure.

I have encountered that twice the over the years and various pieces of equipment. The one time, a guy replaced the breather on the axle of a semi, (it was still clogged inside.) He was starting to lose his mind since everything was replaced, and it still leaked. I said, did you verify it flows? He said that’s retarded, I replaced it all.

So I got out my rubber tip their nozzle, set the air regulator down low and no flow for a few seconds then poof…….Talk about causing a lot of angst.

I would say 90% of all axle and transmission seal leaks in the universe are caused by vents.

Sounds stupid, I know. But absolutely verify that it actually flows air.

Thanks for the reply! I have verified that air actually flows. For a while I was actually running it without a breather, and just had it extended to a place where water couldn't get in.

So I checked it out after replacing the P Seal again. As of right now, the driver's side seems not to be leaking or at least very slowly. The passenger side is still leaking, although much slower than before. It's not terrible and not contaminating the shoes, so I'll leave it as is until the spring when I'll probably redo the whole driver's side again.

While not the result I was hoping for, it's slow enough that I can drive it for a while and not worry about running the diff low on fluid.

Of all the people that have used FIPG (RTV) to seal any chance of it leaking, how many are still experiencing issues? How many of you guys have flipped the retainer and have gone 10k+ miles with the flip and not experiencing a leak? I'm getting sick of this problem. Is it still best to go with updated seals and flip? I havent flipped my retainer yet, but I'm seeing some still have issues with the flip.

I flipped the retainer many years ago on both axles and have around 150k using this method and no leaks. Didn't use rtv, so can't comment on that. If I had to do it again, I would still flip the retainer using Toyota seals. Good luck

MikeM

After I did both of mine, the passenger side had started leaking again (service records show it was replaced twice by a dealership). I used new retainers (don't remember if I flipped them), applied FIPG around the axle before I pressed the inboard retainer on, and also applied it around the axle housing before I installed the seal. Made sure to clean off any excess. Have put ~20k miles on it since, over 10k of those miles were from Seattle to Cabo, twice. Lots of hard miles

Sounds good. Thanks for the input. Now I just need to see if my 12 ton harbor freight is up to the task.

I flipped retainers (and used new ones) and used the updated seals. No FIPG and I've got about 9k and 10k miles I think on the job (was slow getting both sides done). Done a lot of offroading on them. Just pulled the ABS sensors not long ago and everything is still bone dry in there. Pretty sure I was the first one to change to seals too, everything seemed to likely be original (old style seal and OEM bearings with very faded grease seals). I wonder if things get screwed up on this job in the past if it just basically hoses the axles unless you do the FIPG.

I saw on a different thread that you bought the bearing from napa. I was looking on there and couldnt seem to find one fir the wheel bearing, do you have a part number or a link to the one you bought?

I had mine replaced at a shop, first time it leaked, second time after getting "fixed" it leaked. I was told there was a groove worn in the shaft but have not looked any further into it yet.

Planned to swap a locked rear in but considering selling now. 2020 TRD tacoma looks pretty good and I bet the seals don't leak!

Here's the part numbers I have for rear axle seals:
Rear wheel bearing 90363-40020-77 or Nachi 6308-2NSE (96-00) / 90363-40068 or NSK 40BW06CG50 (01-02)
Rear axle retainer 42423-20010 (2 per side)
Snap ring 90520-36045
Outer seal 90313-48001 (96-00) or 90313-54001 (01-02)
Inner seal 90310-50006
O Ring 90301-88077

Is it safe to assume the only difference in abs and non-abs axles is the abs uses two retainer instead of one for non-abs? I'm looking at this kit and the non-abs only has one retainer in it. I was hoping I could reuse one of the retainers closest to the bearing and use a new retainer on the seal side. Looking to replace the bearing and retainer plus a new factory seal. I cant imagine the retainers are different for non-abs vs abs. Mine is an abs axle.

Wheel Bearing- Toyota Truck, 4runner, T100 & Tacoma Rear Wheel Bearing w/o ABS (1975-2000) 936

I think the retainers are the same for ABS and non ABS.

Thanks for these part numbers

I was able to get the Nachi 6308-2NSE bearing for $26 free shipping at
6308-2NSE9 NACHI bearing 6308-2NSE seals 6308-2RS bearings 6308 RS Japan 6308-2NSE Nachi bearings [6308-2NSE9] - $26.00 : JSB Great Bearings, online radial, pillow block and miniature bearings store

Seemed of same quality as stock and stamped made in Japan. Bought retainer on ebay for $16 and my local dealership had the seal for under $7. Not too bad for doing a bearing replacement. Now cross the fingers it doesn't leak again

Did you check that the rear diff breather was clear? A clogged breather will cause rear axle seals to leak faster than Sonic the Hedgehog can run. And that's fast!

Good luck!
Pat☺