My write up on replacing the rear axle oil seal and the parking brake.
PSA: check your breather plug. It's a simple fix.

Thanks to:

HokieRunner's 4th Gen 4Runner Rear Brake Rotor and Pad DIY

Mr.emergency's 4th Gen Rear Wheel Bearing DIY

fdbyrne for the virtual assist.










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Big thanks for this thread.

I would like to add it is possible to do the axle seals WITHOUT removing the rear parking brake shoes and hardware.

Yes, that's right. The most tedious part of this whole process is not actually necessary.

Unbolt the brackets securing the parking brake cable to the frame. 4 total on passenger side and 3 on driver's side. This will provide you with just enough slack to get the axle out.

I did run into an issue on my driver's side where when I was removing the rotor, the parking brake shoes were sticking to it and preventing me from getting it off cleanly. Once I finally removed it, it had undone those spring clips in the process and made a smooth easy job hard.

Let's hope now all is good and no more leaks

I noticed few days back that my driver’s side rear axle seal had given up the ghost and I started doing my research on how to go about fixing it. Everything that I learn in the process, I will add to this post. I haven’t found a good write-up on this on T4R.org. Most of what I learned came from a variety of write-ups I found on YT, via Google, talking to several mechanics, and now personal experience.

Can someone else verify if this job is possible without removing the parking brakes? I need to do my seals soon.