Rear axle seal... TIMES 2 :(

[awpsome]

what are the chances, i noticed i had a rear axle seal leak on the driver side for about 2-3 weeks now and still trying to find time to have the truck sit on jacks for a day so i can fix it. next thing i notice after looking under the truck today to exam how bad its getting and checking my diff fluid which is amazingly still almost full i notice the passenger side has a leak now..

i just need to confirm its not the brake cylinder but either way thats a double whammy for me..


just wanted to vent a little and share. LOL!

now i really need to get it up on jacks and fixed..

for those wanting a photo.. ill get it up here soon, just havent had much free time lately

 

[Garage Guy]

After enough miles, the seals will leak. Might as well do them both at the same time. The main reason to do them isn't so much that your diff will get low on lube, that takes a while and you can keep up with it, but it will flush the grease out of your wheel bearings and they don't like that, and also your brake shoes don't work worth a **** when they are soaked with gear oil.

Be sure to check the bearings for play, or if they are original just change them on principle.

 

[96743runner]

That sucks man...but it is common for them to leak on our 3rd gens after 100k miles...what's your current mileage anyway?

 

[awpsome]

Yea it's actually the passengers second time already and drivers first.
Truck is at 125k

I'm going to replace all the axle parts and just do both all one time.


And any of you guys get hit twice at once?
****ty deals

 

[t4r4life]

dude your breather is plugged! on the 3rd gen the only breather not extended is the rear axle, so it often gets a lot of dirt and oil in it, when blocked pressure increase thus pushing the oil out of the seals, replace the breather and extended to the gas cap.

 

[awpsome]

Damn really? I'll have to check that out!
For sure the driver side is off though cause I checked. I guess time to do the extension. Didn't know it was that important. I figured it was just a precaution mod.
Haha thanks man!

 

[ConstantFix]

this happened to me, so no worries. One day i had just arrived home from purchassing rear drums and brakes. and noticed the right side bearing and seal went. So ok, whatever, new bearing was 100 busks and both left and right inner and outer rear axle seals was around 30 bucks. i replaced th right side, and a few weeks later, the left side went too. biggest thing in doing seals is making sure the outer seal (one with the stainless steel band) isnt bent when putting in, cuzz they arent the strongest things in the world, and require delicacy when installing

 

[t4r4life]

Damn really? I'll have to check that out!
For sure the driver side is off though cause I checked. I guess time to do the extension. Didn't know it was that important. I figured it was just a precaution mod.
Haha thanks man!

lol no prob i learn it the hard way :gun5: mine is still leaking but since the toyota bearing is lubed by oil its not that big of a deal, just gotta check it once a while till i get some money

 

[McNiggle]

Leaky Axle Seals

I have a 2002 Sport Edition that had the exact same problem... after my second visit to the shop to replace the rear passenger side seal, the mechanic called me and let me know Toyota found this to be a known issue with 3rd Gen 'Runners. There's a retainer for the axle seal that holds it in place, and after it was installed I haven't had any further issues. Most 'Runners of our generation are way out of manufacturer's warranty, but it might be worth asking your mechanic to look into. It cost me about $300 total for both visits, but if you're savvy enough and know what part to ask for I'll bet the dealership would know what you're talking about.