After a Rear Axle Oil Seal Replacement

[nissanh]

Clean the felt on the back side of the hub:

Look at the images: I did the rear axle oil seal about 4 years ago and got new OEM seals and shoes.
DID NOT saw the felt on the back side of axle hub (last image) has absorbed oil and it started throwing the oil it absorbed all over the drum and new brake shoes. At least that is what I think? No sign of oil leaks as evident by the images:

What do you think?

 

[mtbtim]

The rubber seal that is pressed into the front side of the bearing case is there to direct any gear oil getting past the bearing into the metal piece behind the axle face. From there, it will go out a hole on the axle face and end up in the drum. I wasn't the one that discovered this but somebody on this forum came up with this theory and it makes sense. I guess it buys you some time before the brakes get coated in gear oil? I thought at first that the rubber seal was just some sort of dust seal to keep brake dust from getting to the bearing but then why would the face of the axle have that hole in it?

So, that cavity behind the axle face could store gear oil in it and it would be prudent to get in there with some rags and brake cleaner to clean out the residual gear oil in there. We're probably not talking a whole lot left in there but that's what you're probably experiencing.

 

[Yoter]

Is there any chance your breather might be plugged?
Given the safety implications of having gear oil all over the driven wheels I am stunned that Toyota never stepped in and fixed this issue.
Once the shoes get soaked, I am pretty sure they are toast, its worth cleaning them with break cleaner but you probably need to do new axle seals and break shoes.

 

[nissanh]

Thanks for the replies guys!

Breather is clean.

I pulled the ABS sensor and found Oil! :-(

Now for shopping.

Does both inner and outer retainers are the same? 42423-20010? Do I have to replace the outer retainer?

Shopping List so far:

Toyota 9036340020 BEARING (FOR REAR AXLE SHAFT), RH/LH 1 53.71$
2 107.42$
Toyota 9031050006 SEAL, OIL (FOR REAR AXLE SHAFT), RH/LH 1 5.14$
2 10.28$
Toyota 4242320010 RETAINER, REAR AXLE BEARING, INNER, RH/LH 1 9.51$
2 19.02$
Toyota 9052036045 RING, SNAP (FOR REAR AXLE SHAFT), RH/LH 1 0.94$
2 1.88$
Toyota 9030188077 RING, O (FOR BEARING RETAINER SET), RH/LH

Thanks!
Nissan

 

[BoomerBob]

I reused my snap rings and swapped the two retainers so I didn't need to buy those either. Yes; the retainers are the same. It is critical to get the retainer in the right position on the axle shaft so the seal rides in the middle.

Were the brake shoes contaminated with gear oil? Also, if you think the drums might be slightly out of round; this would be a good time to have them machined if they still have plenty of meat on 'em. Around here O'Reilly's and Carquest does them. Rotors too.

 

[Dieselchessy]

Are you missing the outer seal?

You should have

Outer seal
Inner seal
O- ring
2 collars
1 bearing
1 snap ring

Interesting your seal failed in only 4 years.

 

[Yoter]

Shopping List so far:

Toyota 9036340020 BEARING (FOR REAR AXLE SHAFT), RH/LH 1 53.71$
2 107.42$

If you want to try an easier fix you might try and just replace the seals. I had the full bearing job done on my old 4Runner 3 times! The third time it lasted for about 5 years and then started leaking again, I caught it early and just did the seals and it was fine for the next 8 or so months until the 4runner was totaled. I was checking regularly until the accident and the abs sensors were nice and dry, so that might be an easier and cheaper fix, especially since your bearings are rather new.

 

[nissanh]

I already have two new outer seals.

I own this truck since 2010 and previous owner had replaced passenger bearing with an aftermarket (koyo) and it was good at the time so I just did the axle seal. I've done several axle seals on many toyota trucks and used OEM bearings with zero oil leaks for many years, however I 've read non-OEM (even Nachi or Koyo) bearings had given issues. Yoter, did you install an aftermarket bearing to your 4runner?

Just purchased the tool necessary to do the axle job and now I am waiting for the parts (from Partsouq.com Dubai, UAE) and tool to arrive anytime soon!