rear axle seal leaking! how long do I have?

Arnezie

Arnezie

New member
Ok so I just noticed that my rear drivers side axle seal must be leaking. My question is how long do I have before this thing has to be changed? What symptoms will I notice other than a leak? How much do shops generally charge for new axle seals to be replaced?
 
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How long for what? The trucks rear brakes to get oil soaked, expand and seize up while driving on the highway? Who knows. Is anyone you care about going to be driving it? If not, just drive it like you stole it.

LOL

BTW, that would be a symptom.
 
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Drcoffee said:
How long for what? The trucks rear brakes to get oil soaked, expand and seize up while driving on the highway? Who knows. Is anyone you care about going to be driving it? If not, just drive it like you stole it.

LOL

BTW, that would be a symptom.
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Thanks for being "that guy" in your own way you answered one of my questions so for that thanks. I will pull the wheel off and see if its leaking to the point of getting on the shoes.
 
Arnezie said:
Ok so I just noticed that my rear drivers side axle seal must be leaking. My question is how long do I have before this thing has to be changed? What symptoms will I notice other than a leak? How much do shops generally charge for new axle seals to be replaced?
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A shop will prob charge at least a few hundred dollars for labor then another few hundred for parts (depending if both L and R brakes are soaked etc)

I would get it fixed ASAP
 
Am I correct that if the bearings are good all that needs does is the seal? And new brake shoes of course.
 
Welcome to the repair that has caused more angst and frustration than you could ever imagine.

Took 4 tries before I figured out how to get it to seal. Guys have sold their trucks over this problem. Others have spent big money to fix it. If you are not handy, find a shop that works on 4runners. And search my thread on this topic. It explains the flaws in the FSM.
 
Normally the bearing fails and causes the seal to fail. Most likely it will need both done. The labor part of it isn't too much. It didn't take long for me to pull the axle myself and take it down to Toyota to have a new bearing and stuff pressed on. Just them pressing the new bearing on was like $400 I believe though...
 
It cost me $600 n change to replace my passenger axel seal. It took the shop I used three times to get it done right. What a nightmare! They are both dry as of now.
 
DrCoffee, you have investigated this more than almost anyone.
The axel seal sits inboard of the bearing, right?
Is it true that, if gear oil has made it's way out past the outer dust seal, as far as the brake area of the rear axel, that the gear oil has by definition passed through and therefore contaminated the grease inside the rear wheel bearings?
Not having seen the assembly in person, in front of me, I still don't have a good mental picture of the whole thing based on the FSM drawings.
 
I just had mine replaced last week. I have a feeling I've been driving with both leaking for quite some time. Braking performance was decreased.

$700 for bearings and seals in both sides, plus $200 for new drum parts. Ouch.

If i had the time and tools (press needed) I would have attempted myself with the nice write up on here.
 
Rocky5000100 said:
I just had mine replaced last week. I have a feeling I've been driving with both leaking for quite some time. Braking performance was decreased.

$700 for bearings and seals in both sides, plus $200 for new drum parts. Ouch.

If i had the time and tools (press needed) I would have attempted myself with the nice write up on here.
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Same here. Mine were leaking on the brake dust cover and I didn't notice it. That price seems pretty steep. I had both replaced and the diff seal done for under $500.
 
qhorse13 said:
1215.
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qhorse13 said:
2556
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qhorse13 said:
1231535
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qhorse13 said:
561326
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Look, you need 15 posts before you can start a new thread. This is to prevent spammers from coming in, starting a new account, posting their spam and leaving. I read your posts, I know you have a question that you think has never been asked or answered before and you are impatient and decided to do this to speed things up right? I will leave these posts so you can be over 15. Now start a thread, ask your question and don't do stuff like this again.

-mod-
 
TNRunner99 said:
Same here. Mine were leaking on the brake dust cover and I didn't notice it. That price seems pretty steep. I had both replaced and the diff seal done for under $500.
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Yea I'm sure I could've shopped around, but I needed the 4runner back for some trips this weekend. Under $500 seems more reasonable.

KidVermicious said:
I'm not sure it is. Check this out: Toyota Maintenance: Replacing Rear Wheel Bearings and Seals

I just noticed gear oil on the wheel of the Wiferunner a couple weeks ago, so I'll be giving this a shot shortly. If I'm able to do it without resorting to the machine shop I'll post a writeup.
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Ha that no-press method looks like it'd be interesting to try. Let us know if it works.
 
The title of the post made we want to be a smart ass and say get you your affairs in order you have 6 months to live...but then I thought that was a little snarky, so I didn't say it. :)
 
Well I just had my Indy mechanic look at it and he says the bearing should be ok still. He will know for sure when he gets it apart and that he can't do until Friday but the one seal and new shoes on both sides he's charging me $250 for labor with my supplied parts. I'm working 16hr days during the week and it's hunting season on weekends so I'm happy to pay to have it done. Just hope bearings are good
 
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