Drcoffee,

I went back through all of your write-ups and finally get the big picture. I see exactly how you did the "grease test" and no I did not do that. I'll be honest, for some reason I was picturing the retainer "sealing" against the bearing and it did not make sense to me that you'd place the beveled edge outward towards the wheel.

I now get it. I see that the axle seal seals against the retainer, does it not? In which case, if the seal goes to far up axle towards your differential, then it loses the ability to seal due to the beveled edge of the retainer, correct?

I get it now, I wish I had gotten it last week.

There are two things I do not completely understand.

If leaking into the pseudo sealed bearing is an issue, why is it that the original bearings took me to 140,000?

If the leaking issue is due to the "redo", what exactly is the problem in causing it? Is it the seal being pressed too far in or damaged during installation? Worn parts?

So back in the early 4runner days, toyota used a flat axle seal and it seems all the measurements worked fine and the seal road upon the retainer. Mid 2000’s they redesigned the seal and its contact point was moved inboard slightly and the new seal rides on the bevel vs the shoulder. The FJC was designed slightly better, but the seal still ride just 2-3mm in from the bevel. So by flipping the retainer, you have a100% chance of the seal seating upon the center of the retainer.

Yours probably will not leak. But if it does, flip the retainer and you wont leak again.

You want to seat the axle seal all the way into the recess so that it seals properly to the axle housing and is perpendicular to the axle.

Was the old bearing wet with gear oil?

Which rear ends are compatible with my 2003 Toyota 4Runner 2wd v6 gear ratio is 3.90. I need a ring and pinion gear. I would much appreciate it if someone could help me out. I’m willing to buy from someone I’m in Clarksville Tennessee area. I would like to get the whole hog head so I don’t have to rebuild but I will if I have to. Please someone help me out 702-934-3775 my names Dominic