Please help axle leak problem

[cmhowell911]

Hello everyone, new to this site hoping i can get some sort of good info.. would be greatly appreciated.. I Have a 2003 toyota tacoma ext cab.. For one, ever since i bought i have had issues, not gonna get into them so deep.. But for now, i have a axle seal leaking?? I took to one mechanic and he "fixed it" couple days later it started leaking again.. He did the inner and outter and the bearings, whether he did it correct or not but it didnt last long.. Soo i took it to another mechanic, he did the outter seal i believe? the easiest of the two. It quit leaking for about 2 weeks then boom leaking again... Atleast i think it quit leaking because when i hit my breaks, Its almost as they lock up and unlock.. A few times my back right tire literally locked up.. (the left seal is one the one leaking) I am so confused on what to do because i am tired of putting money into it!!!! I am wondering if my axle is bad??? Which the mechanics that looked at it said it looked fine?? Im wondering if better off to go find another axle at a junk yard... If i did my research right (correct me if im wrong) i need a 4:10 gear ratio axle?? Im not a mechanic and dont know a whole lot about vehicles but im trying to learn.. This truck is killing me, and would love the to hear the correct solution.. Again ANY help would be great... Thanks in advanced.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Do the 2003 tacomas have a bearing retainer like the 4th gen 4runners? The bearing retainer sits just to the inboard side of the bearing, on the axle shaft and rides against the inner seal to keep the gear oil out of the bearings. Just did the rear wheel bearings on my 4runner and although the axle shafts were not leaking, there was a significant groove worn in each retainer from riding against the seal. I could see that, if not replaced, over time this could cause a leak. I'd start there.

 

[fourwd1]

There could be a problem with the axle shaft that is taking out the seal (bent shaft, etc) or a groove worn into the shaft where the seal hits it.
I sorta remember early 3rd gen runners having that problem.

 

[MattinLA]

Your axle is bad, dude.

The competent mechanic should always check the runout where the seal seats and all it takes is a few thousandths of an inch to undersize shitcan it. On my 4Runner axle shaft the seal seats on this large silvery bushing, mine was worn/ undersize that is what did it after the irritation of replacing enough oil seals myself. This is one of those advanced repair problems where it pays to have the dealer /'serious pro diagnose it. Most garages / mechanics are NOT qualified to diagnose this subtle problem. Rarely, it's an axle housing problem hope you're not having that. Plus get ready, the oil leak seeping through has ruined the integrity of any bearing that was changed. Get thee to a serious mechanic.