rear axel help!

[spoiler900]

I have a 99 4runner limited 4X4 with 234K on the clock, no it was not in an accident ever and i never did an major off roading, jus the ocasional mud puddle...anyways.....

I took it to my local mechanic in California in May and he replaced the axel seal and put new brakes on it. Also had a machine shop press it and had new bearings and an abs ring (I am not mechanically inclined i am just looking at my receipts)

In august it started leaking again, brought it back and he patched it back up

Now i live in tucson, az and guess what, its leaking still!

called my mechanic in california today and he said its more then likely the axel is bent and I would need a rear passenger side axel

Called toyota here for a quote and they said about $1,100 (Im already in this issue about $600!)

My mechanic in Cali said he will give me my money back for any labor and my brakes, but I would still be out some money

Anyoneh have any idea whats up? Like i said I am not mechanically inclined, and the toyota service tech said the rear seals are tricky and its possible they were just put in bad and would be around $300 at the dealership but if its not I dont want to fork over $1100 for the new axel

someone please help, thanks!

 

[nevada]

an axle for $1100?
um, WTF?

just call up your local parts store, and get an axle. we get them from Oreillys sometimes.

OR, randys ring and pinion. a couple hundred at best.

but, FIRST you need to verify if the axle is bent.

get it up on stands, and remove the tire, and brakes. put the rig in NEUTRAL(before you remove the drum/caliper)
then start it, put it in gear and let it idle. you'll be able to see if the axle is bent.
turn OFF the engine, wait for everything to stop spinning, then shift into park/first. dont hit the brake pedal while the brake drum/caliper is off.

and lastly, double check the axlehousing vent. if its clogged, it can cause the seals to blow when the pressure builds up.

 

[lpittman]

I have a 99 4runner limited 4X4 with 234K on the clock, no it was not in an accident ever and i never did an major off roading, jus the ocasional mud puddle...anyways.....

I took it to my local mechanic in California in May and he replaced the axel seal and put new brakes on it. Also had a machine shop press it and had new bearings and an abs ring (I am not mechanically inclined i am just looking at my receipts)

In august it started leaking again, brought it back and he patched it back up

Now i live in tucson, az and guess what, its leaking still!

called my mechanic in california today and he said its more then likely the axel is bent and I would need a rear passenger side axel

Called toyota here for a quote and they said about $1,100 (Im already in this issue about $600!)

My mechanic in Cali said he will give me my money back for any labor and my brakes, but I would still be out some money

Anyoneh have any idea whats up? Like i said I am not mechanically inclined, and the toyota service tech said the rear seals are tricky and its possible they were just put in bad and would be around $300 at the dealership but if its not I dont want to fork over $1100 for the new axel

someone please help, thanks!

Sounds like you'll definitely want to check the "Breather Plug" on the diff. It is a little device that allows the diff to "breath" when the temps inside the diff increase which causes the pressure to increase. If your breather plug is rusted over (which mine was when I bought it) that pressure will have to be relieved somewhere else - most likely through the seals into your brake drum. Booooo. ... Search on this forum for "Breather Mod" and you'll find a lot of great information on how to fix this problem.

In a nutshell it involves buying a Toyota Union Fitting, about 6' of gas line and a new breather plug.

1. Remove current breather plug
2. Install union fitting
3. Run fuel hose somewhere high down to the axle (gas cap housing is common)
4. Leave some slack for axle articulation
5. Connect to union fitting with hose clamp
6. Trim hose in gas cap housing down a bit and install breather plug on that end.

This fixed all of my axle leaking problems and now when I go through mud or water I'm not scurrred.

Cheers