Rear axle seal measurement

[Jeremy107]

Does anyone know this measurement? Putter axel housing to the seal.
I completed the job but I have one side leaking still, plan to pull it back out measure the putter housing to seal to see if correct. Also do the grease test to see wheee the seal is making contact on the retainer ring.

Also considered cutting the ring and flipping it

 

[gamefreakgc]

I measured, did the grease test, everything checked out. 3 months later it leaked again, for the third time.

I flipped the retainer and I'm about 2 months in, so far so good. Some of us just get extremely unlucky and have issues with that goofy retainer not sitting properly.

 

[Jeremy107]

I measured, did the grease test, everything checked out. 3 months later it leaked again, for the third time.

I flipped the retainer and I'm about 2 months in, so far so good. Some of us just get extremely unlucky and have issues with that goofy retainer not sitting properly.

Yea when I did the job I couldn’t find a measurement for the seal itself so I just laid it flushed by hand the gave it some guys with the tool until I could tell it was making the thud sound.

I believe the retainer measurement is 5mm from one of the write ups I seen here

 

[kolelt]

I though you just push the seal all the way

 

[Jeremy107]

I though you just push the seal all the way

I thought the exact same but wanted to check with everyone Incase I did something wrong. But as mentioned I believe I will do the retainer flip and see if that fixes it

 

[diverscale]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...eplacement-thread-3rd-gen-15.html#post2197591

click this link for actual measurements. I used that 0.15'' from the end of the polished area myself 2 years ago and it still holds ( retained flipped)

 

[kolelt]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...eplacement-thread-3rd-gen-15.html#post2197591

click this link for actual measurements. I used that 0.15'' from the end of the polished area myself 2 years ago and it still holds ( retained flipped)

Right, but the seal it self is seated all the way in.

 

[wshiverick]

It's all about the retainer that's the sealing surface. And keeping the breather clean. Here's a trick to get the right spot for the retainer. A normal 1/2" leaf spring u bolt nut is the exact spacing for the retainer. You can heat up the ring and drop it on the axle with a couple nuts for it to land on. Put it in the windowsill to cool and you're good to go. Still kind of a pain though, if you don't have the right tools find a shop that knows what's up and pay for it. This is a job I wouldn't wanna do in the backyard. Small and easy mistakes will just make em keep leaking and the spacing is crucial.

 

[kolelt]

Tim the tool man has a great video. It’s not rocket science. All you need is a press from harbour freight. And a homemade tool or from eBay. Then just fallow the video. 5mm from polished area, do the grease test and that’s it.

 

[Toyotayoda]

Does anyone know this measurement? Putter axel housing to the seal.
I completed the job but I have one side leaking still, plan to pull it back out measure the putter housing to seal to see if correct. Also do the grease test to see wheee the seal is making contact on the retainer ring.

Also considered cutting the ring and flipping it

don't be silly, leave the ring the way it's supposed to be. it can be difficult to get that inner seal in flush, you basically need a driver the same size as the seal to do it. I recently repaired my problem by replacing the axle shaft, I had done everything under the sun with no positive result, when I found a 4runner at the yard with dry brake shoes I yanked it and put it into mine, hasn't leaked since. I suspect my axle shaft may have been bent or warped somehow, because nothing I did prior to replacing it, ever made a difference

 

[Novashards]

don't be silly, leave the ring the way it's supposed to be. it can be difficult to get that inner seal in flush, you basically need a driver the same size as the seal to do it. I recently repaired my problem by replacing the axle shaft, I had done everything under the sun with no positive result, when I found a 4runner at the yard with dry brake shoes I yanked it and put it into mine, hasn't leaked since. I suspect my axle shaft may have been bent or warped somehow, because nothing I did prior to replacing it, ever made a difference

If you haven't tried the "Dr Coffee flip" then you haven't tried everything under the sun. In your case the axle may have been the issue but we'll never know if the "flip" could have also resolved the issue. Did you replace anything on the replacement axle you acquired or did you leave it the way it was? It's also possible that the axle you pulled already had the "Dr Coffee flip" done on it since its a fairly well known solution/mod. It's a well documented and thought out simple solution to a seemingly widespread problem.

A possible solution to leaking axle seals

 

[mtbtim]

Here's the video referenced above. It showcases the Dr. Coffee method and provides you with everything you need to know about this repair. Be sure to also read the video description and the comment I pinned because there's lots of helpful information also in those two locations.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AVhSDnw2ugo" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[kolelt]

Here's the video referenced above. It showcases the Dr. Coffee method and provides you with everything you need to know about this repair. Be sure to also read the video description and the comment I pinned because there's lots of helpful information also in those two locations.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AVhSDnw2ugo" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

How is it holding up ? Why couldn’t you keep the ring the way it is and just set the depth and not all the way in? Just curious? What has me second guessing is. One side of the side is shaped so the seal swallows it. When you flip it. It’s not shaped to the seal.

 

[weekendclimber]

How is it holding up ? Why couldn’t you keep the ring the way it is and just set the depth and not all the way in? Just curious? What has me second guessing is. One side of the side is shaped so the seal swallows it. When you flip it. It’s not shaped to the seal.

If you don't put the retainer in far enough you risk having it make contact with the axle housing on the inboard side of the axle seal. This is explained pretty well by [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] in his video if I remember correctly. Best case, you end up with a chewed up retainer; worst case, you end up with a chewed up axle housing.

 

[hugo2go]

Does anyone know this measurement? Putter axel housing to the seal.
I completed the job but I have one side leaking still, plan to pull it back out measure the putter housing to seal to see if correct. Also do the grease test to see wheee the seal is making contact on the retainer ring.

Also considered cutting the ring and flipping it

I just machined a ring myself and plan on installing it shortly. The axle housing is a concern, thats the reason why Ive been planning it out for so long.
Once installed I'll post pics for you guys.

 

[Dezerts10]

I am having a driver side seal leakage problem currently as well. I have been meaning to bring my seal to work so I can machine a seal setter slug out of aluminum but keep forgetting the seal on the work bench. Anyone know the exact diameter of the seal?

Also, I am only replacing the seal and hoping it holds for a few months but the retainer spacing seems like a place where someone could make a spacer tool. if someone knows the spacing spread some one could make like a V block spacer easily I bet.

 

[kolelt]

If you don't put the retainer in far enough you risk having it make contact with the axle housing on the inboard side of the axle seal. This is explained pretty well by [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] in his video if I remember correctly. Best case, you end up with a chewed up retainer; worst case, you end up with a chewed up axle housing.

That’s right. I remember now.

 

[kolelt]

I just received the OEM retainer cups. They are polished all around. But idea is to seat the seal center correct ?

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

I just received the OEM retainer cups. They are polished all around. But idea is to seat the seal center correct ?

Yes easy to do using the grease test.

Be careful not to score the axle if you are cutting the old ones off. Best way is to press them off but if you have to cut them, cut about half way through than take a cold chisel and put it in the groove and give it one good whack with a hammer. Should crack the retainer and make it much easier to get off.

Press the new retainer on until 4-5mm of polished axle is showing. Go slow and easy as it is easier to go further on than to go too far and have to back the retainer off.

 

[Scramble]

If you don't put the retainer in far enough you risk having it make contact with the axle housing on the inboard side of the axle seal. This is explained pretty well by [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] in his video if I remember correctly. Best case, you end up with a chewed up retainer; worst case, you end up with a chewed up axle housing.

Yep, Tim explains that in the video thoroughly.