Rear Axle Seal Leak Caused by Fixing the Other Side?

[jeech]

I recently had a shop fix a rear axle seal that was leaking on the passenger side. Now my driver side is leaking. Is it likely that the work they did caused the driver side to begin leaking? I probably should have done both at the same time, but was of the opinion that if it ain't broke, don't fix it, since I didn't see any evidence that both should be done at the same time.

 

[Kanoe]

I’d say no. Unless they pulled the other side for reference.

It makes sense that if one seal has aged out the other is not far behind it.

Make sure diff breather is working correctly.

 

[silverbullet4]

The other one was probably bound to go soon.

 

[WeakSauz]

The other one was probably bound to go soon.

This. It's probably pure coincidence and timing that the other side failed after getting the one side done. Those parts were wearing at the same rate, simultaneously

 

[eleven14]

Agreed, they tend to fail relatively close to one another (mine did within 12 mos).

But I second the diff breather suggestion, it's cheap and easy to replace (and relocate if you haven't and dabble in water crossings) and will ensure it's not causing excess pressure build-up within the axle itself (which would, in turn, cause seals to fail).

 

[3bears]

I too suspect diff breather and an old seal.
Possible, diff breather was plugged yet excess pressure blowing out the seal that was already shot. YOu fixed that, pressure had no place to go but the other older weak seal

 

[jeech]

Thanks guys. I'll check the diff breather this evening.

 

[shadow247]

Thanks guys. I'll check the diff breather this evening.

Good thing to check. I try to replace everything in Pairs if I can. If I need 1 CV axle, I'll go ahead and replace the other and keep the original as a spare. If I need a headlight bulb, I just replace both and throw the extra in the glove box. I have found that when one side goes, the other side is not far behind, so I just started to get ahead of it and do both sides.

It's not unusual for the Axle seal to go at this mileage, and if 1 is bad, it's likely the other was close to on it's way out.

 

[wecoyote97]

I recently had a shop fix a rear axle seal that was leaking on the passenger side. Now my driver side is leaking. Is it likely that the work they did caused the driver side to begin leaking? I probably should have done both at the same time, but was of the opinion that if it ain't broke, don't fix it, since I didn't see any evidence that both should be done at the same time.

did you do the bearing and races in the rear axle when you did your seals.
seal leaking on a yota dif are a early sign your wheel bearings are starting to fail. replace the races bearings and seals and the problem will go away. but also make sure the diff breather is working as well.

i did mine on my runner 4 years ago at 260km\