Leaking rear axel, retainer installed wrong

[spoiler900]

I have my 99 limited 4X4 with currently 234K on the clock, and about 6 months ago noticed a leak in the rear axel, got it patched up. Noticed in august the same thing still leaking, brought it back to my mechanic in california at the time and resealled it. Started leaking a month or so later and just got it fixed yesterday at a local shop where i moved (Tucson, az). I got it fixed at a place called Tucson Differential, the manager seemed to know what he was talking about (Im not very mechanically inclined). He said he resealed it, the previous seal was installed fine but the retainer was not installed properly, he says he gives it a 98% chance it fixed my problem, I will check back in a month and see, any ideas if that makes sense and if that most likely fixed the issue? thanks

 

[audiness]

are you talking about the infamous outer rear axle seals? these are known to go bad on the 96-02 4runners. I have replaced mine twice already......

 

[So Many Roads]

The rear axle seal must make contact with, and create a seal against the retainer. The common issue is that the retainer is pressed in too far, and the new axle seal does not make contact with it. Proper placement of the retainer is key.

 

[spoiler900]

Im not too mechanically inclined, i believe it was the outer seal (passenger side) because the mechanic just took the wheel off and not the whole axel.

 

[Sherwood4Runner]

Sounds all too familiar me. When i had a rear bearing replaced the guys pushed my retainer ring on too far and so it didn't make a seal with my rear axle seal. Replaced the seal multiple times and the brakes twice over a few months before finally figuring out he had pressed it on too far. Took it to the dealership and they fixed it last week. Fingers crossed it took care of everything.