Rear Diff. oil leakage

[awdjunkies]

Hey guys, I tried to search a few times but came up empty handed. I just purchased a 1990 toyota 4Runner sr5 v6 4x4-5speed, and there is oil leaking on my Garage floor from the Rear Differential. I tried cleaning the rear diff/lines and around the area to see if I could pin point the location of the oil leak. Now the weird(To me atleast since I am no toyota or 4runner guru) part is it only leaks when I use it/drive it. I went to the store a few times yesturday and afterwards It leaked. But when It sits over night or for more than 6-8 hours it is dry(Does not leak).

What can I do to diagnose the problem a little bit more efficiently?


Ps: My apologies for the lengthy post.





ALSO:
I forgot to mention how many miles(Don't know if that is necessary) 280k yeah a little high but I figured its a Toyota..

 

[awdjunkies]

Well I spoke to a 4wd shop here in town and they said/suggested taking the drain plug off and sticking my pinky in to see how full it is(Yeah I know it sounds like a Rectal Exam).. It may just be a question of being OVERFILL.
Another shop said it might be the seal that needs replacing so they will drain it change the seal and refill it.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Well I spoke to a 4wd shop here in town and they said/suggested taking the drain plug off and sticking my pinky in to see how full it is(Yeah I know it sounds like a Rectal Exam).. It may just be a question of being OVERFILL.
Another shop said it might be the seal that needs replacing so they will drain it change the seal and refill it.

280k is high mileage! I wouldn't be surprised if it needs a pinion seal. Good luck!
:cheers:

 

[awdjunkies]

280k is high mileage! I wouldn't be surprised if it needs a pinion seal. Good luck!
:cheers:

Totally appreciate the response :bigok:


so is the pinion seal a big deal?( As I am typing this I am going to search this)

Thanks again kind sir..

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Totally appreciate the response :bigok:


so is the pinion seal a big deal?( As I am typing this I am going to search this)

Thanks again kind sir..

Just a pinion seal is quick, easy and cheap. I hope that's it:biggrin2:

 

[awdjunkies]

Just a pinion seal is quick, easy and cheap. I hope that's it:biggrin2:

Ok so I had a shop do the pinion seal. so I bring it home as soon as I park in the garage, it starts to leak again this time I call the shop and let him/THEM know that the oil is now clear but thick and it smells like gear oil. he doesn't know what it could be but to bring it back next week...


Any suggestions???

 

[CJ3Flyr]

There are two possibilities that come to mind: 1) the pinion gear bearing is worn and the pinion is moving around and beating the seal to death. Basically what happens is; as the driveshaft loads and unloads the yoke moves up & down a little. If the bearing is holding the pinion tightly it won