Rear axel seal replacement - Help

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metall0099

New member
Please help...I have a rear driver side axel seal failure. I replaced the caliber thinking that was my sticking issue. Turns out that it's the axel seal. Been loosing fluid in it for a while apparently, had to put a litre of oil in the axel the other day. I bought the parts, but cant afford a mechanic. Can anybody tell me if I can diy this? I have tools and did the calibers myself and consider myself a ameture at these things. I usually watch youtube and get it, but can't find a video on my 08. Please help.


Thanks,
Metall0099

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It can be done at home, but it's not nearly as easy as the fronts. You have to completely remove the axle which means removing the wheel, caliper, rotor, parking brake assembly, then unbolting and removing the entire axle. All of that is relatively easy.

Putting the parking brake back together is a real PITA. Until you've done it a few times, it can take hours because you're working around the hub flange and there's not much clearance.

Do some research on replacing the parking brake before you get started. It's definitely the most difficult part of this job.
 
It's not too hard of a job. We're lucky enough to have full floating axle tubes, so removal is relatively easy.

Just remember that we share the same rear end with the FJ Cruiser, so any guide or video on that will work as well. I highly suggest picking up the Chilton or Haynes manual for the 4Runner, it would be very helpful for you in this situation.
 
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maintenance-detailing/211059-4th-gen-rear-wheel-bearing-diy.html


metall0099 said:
Please help...I have a rear driver side axel seal failure. I replaced the caliber thinking that was my sticking issue. Turns out that it's the axel seal. Been loosing fluid in it for a while apparently, had to put a litre of oil in the axel the other day. I bought the parts, but cant afford a mechanic. Can anybody tell me if I can diy this? I have tools and did the calibers myself and consider myself a ameture at these things. I usually watch youtube and get it, but can't find a video on my 08. Please help.


Thanks,
Metall0099

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
 
Thanks lcbjr77 that's going to be the best source. Dkyled I ordered the Chilton Manuel just incase.

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Rear axle seals are not too bad honestly. I can do both side in 30-40 minutes, but have done a few of them. Do one side at a time so you can have a reference if you forget where something goes. Basic tools is all you need. I recommend the oem seals from Toyota.
 
Doing it this weekend...I'll let you know how it goes. I also bought the O-ring. Guys at Toyota said bearing might have gone as well...I hope not.

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shahsmerdis said:
Change your rear diff breather chances are its rusted shut too hence the leak
Click to expand...

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[MENTION=128090]shahsmerdis[/MENTION] you were right!

It took nine hours( 2 hour detour for a part) to do it, but its back together. I needed a mechanic friend of mine to help out with this. I couldn't have done it with out him.

It turns out that the root cause was the breather value like [MENTION=128090]shahsmerdis[/MENTION] said. There was more issues than that though. It looked as though the pervious owner had the same issue and who ever repaired it didn't replace the O-ring.

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If you can zoom in on the picture you can see the rust ensuing in the center. We had to sand that down and use instant gasket to make sure it would seal.

The parking brake was one of the biggest pains. I really recommend using OEM parts. I had a NAPA seal and had to run to Toyota to get the O-ring. While there I compared the seals. The OEM Toyota seal looked like it was made out of heavy steel metal, while the NAPA one felt like cheap aluminum.

I think you need to have some mechanical experience before trying to do this. It's not extremely difficult but a little challenging. If you've never done one before I recommend getting the repair manual. It came in handy a couple of times. Sorry for not having enough pictures. I'm new to posting to forums to help others out. Thanks everybody for the tips and links. It would have been much more challenging without everybody's experiences.
 
Last edited:
I read this thread and am still wondering what a caliber is.

OP, good job on completing the job; even if a friend helped you.
 
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