Blown Rear Axle Seal!!

fightman80

fightman80

New member
Well, after replacing my passenger side Rear seal 2 years ago, then hearing about the diff breather mod, and waiting until after I had already gone off-roading through some deep water, to actually do the mod:

I now have a Driver side rear axle seal leaking!!!! ARG! I just finished cleaning up the brakes, hoping that the old plugged breather caused the seal to leak, but then upgrading to the diff breather mod, saved the seal????

There definately wasn't as much gear oil on the brakes as the other side did, so I'm hoping that maybe the seal survived???

I'm planning on driving it for a few more days, to see if the seal leaks. If not, I'll buy new brake shoes, if so....looks like I'm bringing it in to the Stealership for an Axle seal replacement!

What do you guys think??? Could the seal have been saved? I think I already know the answer to this....but really hoping I can get away cheap on this!
 
Register to hide this ad
once a seal goes it goes, there is no fixing a broken or leaking seal like that other than tearing it apart and replacing it(i suppose you could RTV the poop outta things but that would be more work than its worth IMO. why take it to the dealer? just do it yourself man, its a fairly straight forward and easy job, from what ive seen your are pretty handy and mechanically inclined...
 
Fightman, you can't tell me you don't know where the writeup is on this! Go check it out. Pull that sucker ASAP, shoot the brakes with a buttload of brake cleaner, put a new seal in and see how it goes.

It'll take you 2 hours, tops! With as much as I've seen you do to your 4Runner, I know you can save your $$ and do this yourself.

Re-check the breather and make sure it's breathing before you drive it. If the seal still leaks, then it's time to look at the bearings.
 
Last edited:
My driver side just went a couple weeks back and finally had time to stick it in the shop. If it was just the seal, I would do it myself. However, I wanted to go ahead and change the bearing out too so I took it to a shop.

Good luck. Pesky seals are such an inconvenience when they bust.
 
Just replace it. its not a big job. just pull the axle, and pry the old seal out. and no reason to buy new brake shoes. Just soak them in acetone over night and they should be good as new. Or a can of brake parts cleaner... thats what i did when mine blew a year ago.
 
I've honestly never searched for a write-up on this....as I thought I had it forever taken care of! HA HA!

I'll take a look tonight, but I thought there is a need for a special tool for this job???

Two years ago, I had a small shop do the seal for me, it cost me around $200.00, plus new shoes! The mechanic / owner, told me it was a real PITA to do......so 3 months later, I find the seal leaking again, I decided to bite the bullet and bring it in to the Stealership. The bill ended up being the same price as what the small shop charged me.....

Now, that being said, if the job is as simple as you say, and all I have to do is buy a $4.00 seal....maybe I'll try and tackle it my next day off!
 
BigFishAllDay said:
Fightman, you can't tell me you don't know where the writeup is on this! Go check it out. Pull that sucker ASAP, shoot the brakes but a buttload of brake cleaner, put a new seal in and see how it goes.

It'll take you 2 hours, tops! With as much as I've seen you do to your 4Runner, I know you can save your $$ and do this yourself.

Re-check the breather and make sure it's breathing before you drive it. If the seal still leaks, then it's time to look at the bearings.
Click to expand...

x2... This is a surprisingly quick job, and the parts are fairly cheap. I recommend getting an extra seal or 2 in case you screw one up. I screwed one up when I did mine.

fightman80 said:
I've honestly never searched for a write-up on this....as I thought I had it forever taken care of! HA HA!

I'll take a look tonight, but I thought there is a need for a special tool for this job???

Two years ago, I had a small shop do the seal for me, it cost me around $200.00, plus new shoes! The mechanic / owner, told me it was a real PITA to do......so 3 months later, I find the seal leaking again, I decided to bite the bullet and bring it in to the Stealership. The bill ended up being the same price as what the small shop charged me.....

Now, that being said, if the job is as simple as you say, and all I have to do is buy a $4.00 seal....maybe I'll try and tackle it my next day off!
Click to expand...

Here's the tool you need...
10 Piece Bearing Race and Seal Driver Set

It is a bit of a pain to drive the seal in, but it's not $200 worth of a pain.
 
fightman80 said:
I've honestly never searched for a write-up on this....as I thought I had it forever taken care of! HA HA!

I'll take a look tonight, but I thought there is a need for a special tool for this job???

Two years ago, I had a small shop do the seal for me, it cost me around $200.00, plus new shoes! The mechanic / owner, told me it was a real PITA to do......so 3 months later, I find the seal leaking again, I decided to bite the bullet and bring it in to the Stealership. The bill ended up being the same price as what the small shop charged me.....

Now, that being said, if the job is as simple as you say, and all I have to do is buy a $4.00 seal....maybe I'll try and tackle it my next day off!
Click to expand...

the "special too" is a slide hammer, or a flat screwdriver could do it as well. And $200! wow.. I have helped with the job now, but when i was in high school and mine blew i had mine done at a mechanic for $220 for both sides with toyota seals, and new diff fluid. It took him about 2 hours. Best wast of money ever. Its really simple. Just undo the brake line (do not pull the drum apart), take the 4 bolts holing the axle/bearing to the housing, then pry the old seal out. Just tap the new one in. If it seems tight to where you may damage it try putting it into the freezer
 
Nelsonmd said:
Here's the tool you need...
10 Piece Bearing Race and Seal Driver Set

It is a bit of a pain to drive the seal in, but it's not $200 worth of a pain.
Click to expand...

X2!!!

That's the one I used in my write up... Item No. 95853, Brand is U.S. General, UPC is 92363 95853.

RE This:

J-money$$$ said:
the "special too" is a slide hammer, or a flat screwdriver could do it as well. And $200! wow.. I have helped with the job now, but when i was in high school and mine blew i had mine done at a mechanic for $220 for both sides with toyota seals, and new diff fluid. It took him about 2 hours. Best wast of money ever. Its really simple. Just undo the brake line (do not pull the drum apart), take the 4 bolts holing the axle/bearing to the housing, then pry the old seal out. Just tap the new one in. If it seems tight to where you may damage it try putting it into the freezer
Click to expand...

Read the write-up. Before you even read the replies to this thread. Read. The. Write-Up.
 
So am I hearing that doing the diff breather mod can prevent this or at least help prevent it? Or is this just one of those just happens with age things?
 
Volley said:
So am I hearing that doing the diff breather mod can prevent this or at least help prevent it? Or is this just one of those just happens with age things?
Click to expand...

The diff breather mod prevents your breather valve from getting clogged. If it clogs and doesn't let air escape, you will build up pressure inside the axle housing when things warm up, and tat pressure will force oil out the seals.
 
BigFishAllDay said:
X2!!!

That's the one I used in my write up... Item No. 95853, Brand is U.S. General, UPC is 92363 95853.

RE This:



Read the write-up. Before you even read the replies to this thread. Read. The. Write-Up.
Click to expand...


Yeah that is really no huge deal. Maybe to you, or maybe you had a special case of a frozen seal. Pulling the axle is a 10 Minute job.... Then getting the seal out (possible pita) but doable and then re insert the seal, replace the outer o-ring (or use grey rtv) then put the axle back. Its a DYI job for most, say what you want and discourage people thats cool.
 
Last edited:
J-money$$$ said:
Yeah that is really no huge deal. Maybe to you, or maybe you had a special case of a frozen seal. Pulling the axle is a 10 Minute job.... Then getting the seal out (possible pita) but doable and then re insert the seal, replace the outer o-ring (or use grey rtv) then put the axle back
Click to expand...

J$... The missing link in your advice is that you are not addressing the CAUSE of the seal failure. I'm referring him to the writeup so he will understand the big picture. Slapping another seal in there only gets you another blown seal down the road. The cause of the issue needs to be addressed.

Shooting from the hip, that's cool. But what you're saying is like telling someone with lung cancer that they can cure it by quitting smoking... and you don't even know if they smoked in the first place.
 
Last edited:
BigFishAllDay said:
J$... The missing link in your advice is that you are not addressing the CAUSE of the seal failure. I'm referring him to the writeup so he will understand the big picture. Slapping another seal in there only gets you another blown seal down the road. The cause of the issue needs to be addressed.

Shooting from the hip, that's cool. But what you're saying is like telling someone with lung cancer that they can cure it by quitting smoking... and you don't even know if they smoked in the first place.
Click to expand...

Well mine went out due to mileage. They can just go out. Its not always a clogged breather The breather was fine . I would say its the breather if both blow at the same time...

okay ill add this. IF YOU THINK YOU BREATHER IS MESSED UP pick up a new one at the dealer when you get the seals. They are cheap and super easy to change
 
J$...check out my initial advice VS. your initial advice:

ME:

Fightman, you can't tell me you don't know where the writeup is on this! Go check it out. Pull that sucker ASAP, shoot the brakes with a buttload of brake cleaner, put a new seal in and see how it goes.

It'll take you 2 hours, tops! With as much as I've seen you do to your 4Runner, I know you can save your $$ and do this yourself.

Re-check the breather and make sure it's breathing before you drive it. If the seal still leaks, then it's time to look at the bearings.
Click to expand...

YOU:

Just replace it. its not a big job. just pull the axle, and pry the old seal out. and no reason to buy new brake shoes. Just soak them in acetone over night and they should be good as new. Or a can of brake parts cleaner... thats what i did when mine blew a year ago.
Click to expand...

Can we stop trying to out-piss each other now? And you're right about mileage, which is why we gave similar advice. But, if that's not it......
 
Well thanks for all the replies folks, but please....don't fight over little old me! HA HA HA! I feel like the pretty girl at the prom, that all the guys want to dance with! HE HE HE!

That being said...lol! I had gone ahead and searched for the write-up, immediately after posting my response, of "I've never searched for a write-up"! HA HA! I found your write up Big Fish, and gave it a good read.

I have to say this, it looks pretty complicated to me! HA HA HA! Not sure why, but for some reason this job intimidates me! (I know I'm a wuss!)

I don't want to spend anymore than I have to, so if I do the job, what parts can I get away with only having to buy? I'm thinking the inner seal and 0-ring....am I correct in this???
 
fightman80 said:
Well thanks for all the replies folks, but please....don't fight over little old me! HA HA HA! I feel like the pretty girl at the prom, that all the guys want to dance with! HE HE HE!

That being said...lol! I had gone ahead and searched for the write-up, immediately after posting my response, of "I've never searched for a write-up"! HA HA! I found your write up Big Fish, and gave it a good read.

I have to say this, it looks pretty complicated to me! HA HA HA! Not sure why, but for some reason this job intimidates me! (I know I'm a wuss!)

I don't want to spend anymore than I have to, so if I do the job, what parts can I get away with only having to buy? I'm thinking the inner seal and 0-ring....am I correct in this???
Click to expand...

That is correct! If it leaks on you again, then you're looking at doing it again and replacing more parts. Do it all right the first time, or do it all over the next couple times, it's up to you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 972 (members: 3, guests: 969)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,085
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top