leak on drivers side differential

[SpookyMulder]

So, while I was back from spring break I installed a toytec differential drop. While I had the skid plates off I noticed that the differential and the general area around it had grease, oil, or some kind of fluid all over it on the drivers side only. Does anyone have an idea where this could have originated from? Prior to this, the runner hadn't been driven in two months and right before I left in january I got its oil changed. I don't know if this has any correlation but just in case it helps.

 

[kolelt]

So, while I was back from spring break I installed a toytec differential drop. While I had the skid plates off I noticed that the differential and the general area around it had grease, oil, or some kind of fluid all over it on the drivers side only. Does anyone have an idea where this could have originated from? Prior to this, the runner hadn't been driven in two months and right before I left in january I got its oil changed. I don't know if this has any correlation but just in case it helps.

By driver side. Do you mean like on the rear wheel ? Is the axle badly rusted ? Does it have a elocker ? If it's badly rusted that could be why it's leaking. If it has a elocker. It could be leaking through the motor. Have you checked the drain and fill plug? Make sure they are tight. Clean everything of and inspect in a day or two.

 

[badattitude]

Front diff, right? The fluid could be from the oil change. If I'm imagining the scenario correctly, the fluid is right where the oil filter spills when it's removed. The filter is almost upside down when removed and it's difficult to change without spilling oil out of the filter in that general area. Try to spray some degreaser like Simple Green on there, wipe off what you can and perhaps get a car wash that includes underbody spray while the skid plate is off. Should clean up fine and stay clean.

 

[SpookyMulder]

Yeah I should've cleared it up that It was the front differential. Thanks for the advice, I was hoping it was something simple like that, I'll give it a wash and go from there.

 

[Harleydoc]

If it is thick grease might just be from the angle change on he cvs and some grease has come out of them and got thrown all over the place


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[kolelt]

Well if it's front diff. Then it could be few things. Bad outer seal. If it's gear oil. If it's grease. Then could be bad cv boot.

 

[SpookyMulder]

Crap it's pretty thick so I guess I might be doing cv axles sooner than later

 

[kolelt]

Crap it's pretty thick so I guess I might be doing cv axles sooner than later

Take a pic bud. If it's silver/grey looking. Then it is CV boot. Are you lifted ?

 

[mtbtim]

Crap it's pretty thick so I guess I might be doing cv axles sooner than later

Just check your CV boots for any cracks or tears. Should take all of 2 minutes to determine if one or both of your boots are torn. The fact you added a diff drop tells me you recently lifted your rig and CV boots ripping after a lift is installed is super common. If they are, don't get rid of your OEM CV axles, reboot them. The reboot kits aren't cheap, I think currently around $50/side but OEM CV axles are much better than aftermarket ones. Yeah, you could get Napa lifetime axles but they aren't as strong and you might find you're replacing them more often than you'd like.

Here's a video you can use to as a tutorial to remove the axles, reboot them and reinstall them. You don't have to follow our lead and do the boot stretch modification we show in the video, but it is an option. I rebooted another member's CV axles recently, didn't do the boot stretch mod for the inner boots and found the inner boots weren't rubbing but the outers were. So, I think with the diff drop, it's just enough to not have the inner boots rub. As for the outer boots, I think those are less prone to rip because they are made out of a hard plastic rather than the softer rubber the inner boots are made of. But that's guess conjecture on my part.

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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vcCT4UgFUTw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[SpookyMulder]

Unfortunately I did this last week while I was still back home and was too busy to post about it until now so I can't get fresh pics of how the boots are looking or anything. I only have this not very good picture of part of the front diff when my friend and I were adjusting the skid plate. You can sort of see what I'm talking about.
As for rebooting or buying new axles, does anyone know the general life span of a cv axle compared to rebooting the oem or buying a new set? Thanks

 

[nobb]

That looks too thin to be CV grease from a torn boot. Also a CV leak would not be that deep inside and would spin out globs of grease vs dripping oil. It's likely your front diff axle seal leaking, of which you need to pull the CV axle to replace.

 

[mtbtim]

That looks too thin to be CV grease from a torn boot. Also a CV leak would not be that deep inside and would spin out globs of grease vs dripping oil. It's likely your front diff axle seal leaking, of which you need to pull the CV axle to replace.

I agree. That looks too thin to be CV axle grease. OP, pull your front skid and get a good look at things. Finding the origin of a leak can be difficult but there's some basics to follow. First look where the oil is dripping down from and then let your eyes travel above that area looking for where it could be originating from. The fluid could be dripping down from somewhere way up above and through the path it takes getting to the ground, it may not be exactly above where it's dripping from. So, you look up until you don't see an accumulation of oil/grease anymore and now you have your search field to inspect further.

If you can't see an obvious source of the leak, degrease the area so you have an easier time locating it as it leaks more. You should definitely check your front differential oil level. Beware, the fill and drain plugs that Toyota used are f*cking stupid. They decided to use a 10mm allen bolt instead of a regular big hex head bolt head. And, these plugs are known to be really stuck in there especially if the gear oil hasn't been renewed in a long, long time or ever. Since they can really be welded in there, they are prone to strip like happened to me and many others. You need a 10mm allen socket and most likely a decent size breaker bar. When you get the fill plug out, dip your finger inside the hole and see if you can touch gear oil. If you can't, you're low and should top it off. Good luck!

 

[nobb]

OP, pull your front skid and get a good look at things.

This is very valid point before starting to tear into things and throwing new parts at it. Definitely need to clean it up and isolate the source. From the picture, I'm assuming this is the driver's side and a leak that pools to this area could be many things:

1. Front diff axle seal. Unless this is a severe leak, checking the diff level might not reveal anything.
2. Power steering rack leak (input shaft)
3. Coolant leak from the oil pump cooler rubber lines
4. Oil pan

 

[99 Problems]

Yeah I should've cleared it up that It was the front differential. Thanks for the advice, I was hoping it was something simple like that, I'll give it a wash and go from there.

Smell it. If it smells like shit then it's gear oil and you have a leaky seal. If it smells like motor oil, probably just from oil changes!

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[SpookyMulder]

Thanks guys I'm still pretty novice and learning my way around the car so it's great to have have this kind of help. When I get the chance I'll clean up the diff and get an idea where it's leaking from.