60k differential leak

[kiotee]

My friend took her 99 4runner into Toyota for the 60k mile service. They told her that the diff. fluid is leaking onto the rear axal and rear brakes. There suggestion is to replace the pads and the screws by the axal, for another $ 700. My question is, can a 4runner with only 60k miles have such a problem or are they trying to get more money out of her. Thank you in advance.

Kiotee

 

[mike_d]

as a first guess, i'd vote that they're trying to screw your friend. if the differential is leaking fluid, then it'd most likely be leaking from the bottom which is below the axel, so i don't see how it could be getting over to the brakes. do the 99 4runners have rear disc brakes? i know that the earlier ones had drum brakes, so leaking diff fluid wouldn't get in there anyway.

my advise is to take it to another garage and get a second opinion, and when they have it up on the rack ask to look at the fluid and see if it's actually there. if you see the fluid, then you probably should get it fixed. just stay away from dealers, they're always out to screw you, independant garages are usually much better.

 

[Thai]

Kiotee, actually, your problem is more common than you may think. The 3rd gen 4runners (1996-2002) have rear drum brakes. When the rear axle seal breaks down, you can have leakage of the differential fluid. Or....

This problem can also be seen when the rear differential breather valve is blocked (by mud, dirt, etc.). The valve is on the driver's side on TOP of the rear axle differential housing. It functions by popping up to release hot air/steam from inside the differential. It then closes down to prevent water/mud from entering the differential. When this pop-up valve fails to function, hot air/steam builds up inside the differential and may lead to leakage into the drum brakes in the rear due to breakdown of the seals.

The solution is to extend the rear diff valve away from exposure to dirt/mud: (see link below for more info)

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=123

Please read carefully the instructions on the thread above IF you decide to do it.

So, in conclusion, your Toyota mechanic is PROBABLY right. I would shop around for the best deal on fixing the problem.

Hope this helps.