2000 4runner leaking differential fluid

[dominopizza]

hi guys!

I have 2000 toyota 4runner with 230k mile.

whenever I press brake pedal, car was vibrating like crazy because right rear

drum brake was leaking differential fluid. when jacked up in the air, right wheel

was wobbling 3,9 oclock position and 6,12 position. mechanic changed right

side axle bearing and all the seals related to it. it's been 3 months i see the

differential leaking. I've replaced wheel cylinder as well but it's still leaking.

Is the whole right side of differential is bad?

 

[repo]

hi guys!

I have 2000 toyota 4runner with 230k mile.

whenever I press brake pedal, car was vibrating like crazy because right rear

drum brake was leaking differential fluid. when jacked up in the air, right wheel

was wobbling 3,9 oclock position and 6,12 position. mechanic changed right

side axle bearing and all the seals related to it. it's been 3 months i see the

differential leaking. I've replaced wheel cylinder as well but it's still leaking.

Is the whole right side of differential is bad?

The rear axle job takes some delicacy due to the spacing of the parts and poor design. I'd guess it wasn't done right and still leaks. You should look through the giant thread on the subject. Also the diff breather should be replaced.

 

[mtbtim]

The rear axle job takes some delicacy due to the spacing of the parts and poor design. I'd guess it wasn't done right and still leaks. You should look through the giant thread on the subject. Also the diff breather should be replaced.

What he said.

The job wasn't done right. The mechanic probably failed to do the grease test to verify where the seal lip was riding on the retainer. The inner axle seal was redesigned and putting the retainer back on the axle in the exact position as before doesn't work well because the new seal lip sits a little more inboard (apprx 2mm) than the original seal.

Do some research on rear axle seals for our 3rd Gens and you'll find a ton of information on the subject. Print up some of the more important info like pictures showing the spacing and measurements for the parts pressed onto the axle and bring it back to the mechanic to redo the job. I would insist that they put another new bearing on because you've now contaminated the bearing with differential gear oil and some of the grease has probably washed out.

After they redo the job for you, you can verify the job is holding by pulling the ABS sensor and checking to see if any gear oil is in that space. Take the wheel off so you can look inside the ABS sensor hole easier. Remove the sensor and turn the axle. If there's built up gear oil in there, the ABS gear will work like a water wheel and lap up gear oil. If it's dry in there, you're all good. Recheck it every so ofter to make sure everything is good.

 

[alumarine]

Where is it leaking from?

 

[soupkitchen]

make sure the diff breather isn't closed shut...this will cause the fluid to make it past the seals if it can't breath.

Mine did the same thing and stopped as soon as I changed the breather.

 

[dominopizza]

breather valve has been replaced with new one. From hearing what you guys said, I guess its mechanic's problem. But since its been 3 months, He said he will not do it for free. my $500 go down the toilet i guess. should've checked internet before i went to this mechanic.........

If i only had the press, i could;ve done this job by myself..

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

breather valve has been replaced with new one. From hearing what you guys said, I guess its mechanic's problem. But since its been 3 months, He said he will not do it for free. my $500 go down the toilet i guess. should've checked internet before i went to this mechanic.........

If i only had the press, i could;ve done this job by myself..

3 months and he wont give you SOME kind of break. Yet another mechanic fail thread.
Take it off yourself,( it really isn't hard to do) buy the parts from Camelback Toyota, take it to a shop that knows how to put the retainer in the proper posItion, and before you button it all up, perform the grease test to make sure the retainer is in the right position.

 

[mtbtim]

breather valve has been replaced with new one. From hearing what you guys said, I guess its mechanic's problem. But since its been 3 months, He said he will not do it for free. my $500 go down the toilet i guess. should've checked internet before i went to this mechanic.........

If i only had the press, i could;ve done this job by myself..

That is absolute bullshit. The failed job was probably leaking from the time he put the axle back in. It just took time for gear oil to make it's way out and you noticed it. You should talk to the mechanic again and make a deal with him. Have him take the axle out and do the grease test right in front of you. If the grease test shows he screwed up and didn't position the retainer properly on the axle, he returns the money you spent on the job and he eats the cost. If it ends up the grease test looks good, you pay him for his time. Pulling the axle and performing the grease test should be pretty quick. It's a good gamble for you because myself and others on this forum are probably 95% sure the dude didn't do it right. An Axle seal job only fails that quick when something is done wrong or something is overlooked like a clogged breather. Worth a shot instead of eating the cost.

If he doesn't go for it, let him know you'll be giving him a flaming terrible review on Yelp, and you'll tell anyone who will listen how dishonest a mechanic he is.