How long can I drive with a leaking rear axle seal......

[habanero]

I heard the rear axle seal is pita. But idk. Unless people replace the bearing while in it. Can anyone confirm?

The big pain is when whoever does the presswork doesn't realize Toyota pulled a nasty...you can't simply press everything on, it has to be put in precise place with a gap between in the correct spot.. If it isn't done right it'll leak right past the seal in the housing.

The axle itself is ridiculous easy to pull once you get the brake drum off ( there are two threaded holes to screw bolts into to help push the drum off). It can be messy, I had mine tilted just enough last time to keep the oil from leaking out when I pulled the axle.

Also check to make sure the dif breather isn't clogged, that causes a lot of leaks, too.

 

[St Runner]

I agree with habanero, it is not that it is difficult, it has to be done precisely and with oem parts. I would go buy a couple of toyota inner seals and pull the axle yourself. Make sure you seat the seal correctly and there are no scratches around the housing where the seal sits. Check the bearings while the axle is out and then put it back together. If it works then it is a cheap fix, if it still leaks then order new bearings, retainers and brake shoes and do it again. Just an fyi, if you do not have abs then everything presses flush.

 

[habanero]

[MENTION=124742]St Runner[/MENTION], thanks for that little tidbit on non-abs axles. Always love to learn something new!

 

[TheBlizzard]

If you do ty to fix it watch out for rust when youre disconnecting the e brake bell crank. The two bolts might brake leaving half inside the backplate. The only solution I know is to get a new backplate which will involve assembling an entire axle shaft or buying a complete axle shaft with bell crank attached.

 

[habanero]

If you do ty to fix it watch out for rust when youre disconnecting the e brake bell crank. The two bolts might brake leaving half inside the backplate. The only solution I know is to get a new backplate which will involve assembling an entire axle shaft or buying a complete axle shaft with bell crank attached.

Another way to disconnect the parking brake cable is to look at where it attaches to the Bell crank. You'll see a pin with a keeper in it. Pull the keeper out, then push the pin out. That way you won't have to unbolt the Bell crank.

Quick Copy/paste from the build thread...
pull out the retainer:


Take out the pin:


Remove the cable bracket:

 

[Jason B]

Maxspeed, you still around?

 

[TheBlizzard]

Another way to disconnect the parking brake cable is to look at where it attaches to the Bell crank. You'll see a pin with a keeper in it. Pull the keeper out, then push the pin out. That way you won't have to unbolt the Bell crank.

Quick Copy/paste from the build thread...
pull out the retainer:


Take out the pin:


Remove the cable bracket:

Yup true. I had trouble getting that pin out so I tried taking the two bolts off since I had access to them. Wd40 recommended for sure.

 

[habanero]

Ah, gotcha. I'll leave the pics up for anyone who might want to see them, then.