5th Gen 2010-2018 Front Axle Seal DIY

[Seattle206]

Glad this DIY has helped some of you! Totally worth the savings and getting a little knowledge of your vehicle out of this is worth it IMO.

I've added a few thousand miles to my 4Runner since I did my seal and there is no sign of any leak.

 

[Seattle206]

131k miles and they were bone dry when I lifted it last month. Any idea why both sides would start leaking at the same time? I checked my front diff breather and it didn't appear to be clogged up. Are the diff breather caps supposed to be a little "springy"?

Yes, my front axle breather is springy as well. You want it this way so it can vent. Strange how your axles started leaking after the lift was installed. I had mine lifted a month after I bought mine new in 2014 (along with multiple suspension changes over my ownership) and didn't string an axle leak until early 2018.

 

[joesrcool]

Yes, my front axle breather is springy as well. You want it this way so it can vent. Strange how your axles started leaking after the lift was installed. I had mine lifted a month after I bought mine new in 2014 (along with multiple suspension changes over my ownership) and didn't string an axle leak until early 2018.

I was wondering, as my breather is definitely not springy anymore. Does anyone know if the breather is a barbed fitting that can be pulled from the hose and replaced? I'll have to take a look after work.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Front diff breather

I was wondering, as my breather is definitely not springy anymore. Does anyone know if the breather is a barbed fitting that can be pulled from the hose and replaced? I'll have to take a look after work.

I haven't looked for where this breather is located. I read somewhere that it's on top of a rubber line on the firewall.

The standard OEM breather cap is a $10 or $12 part. Don't mess around with it trying to fix it. Test it for free-flow venting or just buy a new part. It has to work when you submerge the diff in water and it cools rapidly, sucking air/water.

Better yet, get the ARB breather kit with a filter at the top of the line. Connect all of your breathers - diff, trans, transfer case - through it.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Bookmarking this to my "4Runner Maintenance" folder for future use. Thanks for taking the time! :thumb3:

And here I am... a little over a year later... clicking that bookmark. Passenger side started leaking today :tsk:

Time to order parts.

 

[MyanRagahis]

Funny enough, I've replaced my driver CV axle and was certain I'd have to replace the seal at some point since I was kinda rough throwing the CV back in there months ago.
Noticed a week ago my passenger side was leaking fluid. Go figure. I may as well replace both.
Thanks a lot for this.


Edit:
Also, I'm noticing the passenger side, right front, part number you have up (90311-47013) for the axle seal, is saying it doesn't fit for my 2016 4Runner on some websites. I'm seeing it's part# 90311-47026 that'll fit instead. Not sure what's different about either.

 

[Seattle206]

It's been a while since I wrote up this DIY. Maybe the part # changed? Anyway, I went ahead and updated the OP with the part # you have.

 

[Marine0369]

Great write up; thanks!
Question for you; I noticed my front left has almost 1/4" movement up and down measured at the outside end of the hard axle (before the CV joint). The passenger side has about 1/4 of the movement that the left side does. The left side seal is also seeping a bit. What is the amount of up/down play in yours and what would cause that?
Thanks,

 

[carlodonz]

Funny enough, I've replaced my driver CV axle and was certain I'd have to replace the seal at some point since I was kinda rough throwing the CV back in there months ago.
Noticed a week ago my passenger side was leaking fluid. Go figure. I may as well replace both.
Thanks a lot for this.


Edit:
Also, I'm noticing the passenger side, right front, part number you have up (90311-47013) for the axle seal, is saying it doesn't fit for my 2016 4Runner on some websites. I'm seeing it's part# 90311-47026 that'll fit instead. Not sure what's different about either.

Yes, I believe the correct part numbers are:
LH Front Axle Seal P# 90311-47027 or P# 90311-47026 for RH Seal

I was also confused, thanks!

 

[tringalama]

dealer says:

"It is imperative to replace this seal periodically as an old or non-functional seal can cause oil leaks"

anyone know the recommended replacement interval? or just wait until it leaks?

 

[rdruss]

dealer says:



anyone know the recommended replacement interval? or just wait until it leaks?

Normally you don't replace non leaking seals unless you are in there to service/replace what the seal is sealing.

 

[nzk300]

Thank you for posting such detailed post. Couple of things I encountered thought I would add:

1. For the hub nut dust seal a small flathead screwdriver and light hammer works best.

2. I had to remove the hub from the driveshaft I dont see how people do it with it still attached - kudos to you guys!

3. I tried the chisel and hammer trick on the axle housing indents for almost an hour , rotating and hitting , it barely moved. Had to use a pry bar and put it between the dust shield and the diff housing to get it to pop out. I bent the dust seal back as straight as i could because you do end up bending it somewhat using this method.

4. getting the axle to pop back in i made sure the c clip opening was facing down but to be honest its hard to keep there. I lubed the end with gear oil and just turned and shoved until it went in with a solid clunk. once its in you will know because it will not come out!