Rear Axel Seal Leak

[terrygill23]

I currently drive a '99 SR5 and have been hearing an odd squeaking noise when I brake. I took it in for a brake check and they told me the breaks are fine, but I have a rear axle seal leak that is leaking on the breaks and causing a buildup of greece, gunk, ect. They told me this is something I would have to fix through the dealer. Does anyone have any experience with this issue or know if there is a alternative way that doesn't involve paying a Toyota deal over a grand?

Thanks for the help!

-tg

 

[downpour11]

Thank BigFishAllDay for this one. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/67299-rear-axle-seals-ultimate-information-replacement-thread-3rd-gen.html

btw... quick google search of "rear axle seal leak 3rd gen 4runner" yielded this ^^^ thread as the first result. Just sayin...

 

[asahi4runner]

I currently drive a '99 SR5 and have been hearing an odd squeaking noise when I brake. I took it in for a brake check and they told me the breaks are fine, but I have a rear axle seal leak that is leaking on the breaks and causing a buildup of greece, gunk, ect. They told me this is something I would have to fix through the dealer. Does anyone have any experience with this issue or know if there is a alternative way that doesn't involve paying a Toyota deal over a grand?

Thanks for the help!

-tg

You don't have to go to the dealership. They're just being lazy.

 

[amalik]

the tutorial from bigfishallday is super in-depth and amazing... but takes a real weekend warrior to follow it through beginning to end! -- most people would probably just pay a mechanic, lol.

 

[Diesel_Dog]

Welcome to the club! Its not that bad of a job, especially with BFAD's writeup above. I did take my bearings over to a machine shop to press out the old and in with the new.

 

[Drcoffee]

It's not as straight forward as it may seem. There is a very narrow placement of the inner retainer in order for the seal to seal. But if you decide to tackle this, use only OEM parts.

 

[shootmymime]

i didnt replace my barring when i did mine at 100K miles. they both failed in between 5K miles of each other. now it has 280K miles and still going strong. no noise from the barrings ether. imagine that!

 

[alra]

Seal Leaks

Terrygil23,

Go to Engine Oil Repair Alternative | Dallas, GA and decide if an "oildiaper" would temporarily fix your leak, at least until you can find the $1000. or more; or until you can sell it in a year or so. With this solution, you would have to top off oil level from time to time.

Enviro-Shield, Inc.

 

[nobb]

+1 on using only OEM parts. There is a new, redesigned seal that Toyota uses. All the aftermarket parts seem to have a rubber seal corresponding to the older design.