Rear diffential pinion seal leaking

[TNFISHRMAN]

Guys I need a little help. Long story short, my tail pipe rotted off on my 04 v-8 4runner. Seeing how it is perfectly lined up with the rear axle, I basically boiled the rear gear oil while pulling my boat on a fishing trip. I made it home and change the gear oil out with fresh. I went out this morning to replace the exhaust system and notice a fresh gear oil drip at the Pinion seal on the rear differential. How bad is this thing to replace and is it possible to do without messing up bearing preload and gear backlash?

 

[Captsolo]

Boiling differential fluid... Doubt it!

Guys I need a little help. Long story short, my tail pipe rotted off on my 04 v-8 4runner. Seeing how it is perfectly lined up with the rear axle, I basically boiled the rear gear oil while pulling my boat on a fishing trip. I made it home and change the gear oil out with fresh. I went out this morning to replace the exhaust system and notice a fresh gear oil drip at the Pinion seal on the rear differential. How bad is this thing to replace and is it possible to do without messing up bearing preload and gear backlash?

I doubt you "boiled" your differential fluid. It's 90W lube.

I recently changed my differential fluid at 135,000 miles with Valvoline 80-90W (conventional) - 3 quarts - and it took all of 30 minutes to drain and fill.

I don't tow with my 2005 SR5 4runner, but I like to fish here in the Bahamas.

Think the mahi landed in the Marlin Marine tournament is a record catch in any Hawaiian/California/Florida tournament?


See the wire to the tournament scale. 71.1 pounds?

If yours is leaking try Amazon.com for quick delivery of the rear differential gasket ($10.06). Free delivery.

Here's the link. https://www.amazon.com/Yukon-Gear-Y...5------------&vehicleName=2005+Toyota+4Runner

 

[hinmo24t]

I don't tow with my 2005 SR5 4runner, but I like to fish here in the Bahamas.

Think the mahi landed in the Marlin Marine tournament is a record catch in any Hawaiian/California/Florida tournament?
View attachment 343093

nice fish. i took some black seabass from freezer to thaw before work today. New england striped bass, blackseabass, tautog and damn good shellfish around here in south coast MA/RI

ive heard mahi tacos are whats up

 

[superman3043]

Guys I need a little help. Long story short, my tail pipe rotted off on my 04 v-8 4runner. Seeing how it is perfectly lined up with the rear axle, I basically boiled the rear gear oil while pulling my boat on a fishing trip. I made it home and change the gear oil out with fresh. I went out this morning to replace the exhaust system and notice a fresh gear oil drip at the Pinion seal on the rear differential. How bad is this thing to replace and is it possible to do without messing up bearing preload and gear backlash?

I did this about a month ago. It was easy peasy. BUT, your question about pre-load is an interesting point. I didn't worry about it too much because I rebuilt the diff many years back with a solid pinion spacer, so in my head, if the torque was within range and the pinion nut aligns back up with the where it was staked down, then I should be good to go. At least that's how I rationalize it. I kinda treat anything with a castle nut the same way.

When in doubt, I'd reach out to the guys at East Coast Gear Supply. They know their stuff and are always super helpful.

Good luck.

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

nice fish. i took some black seabass from freezer to thaw before work today. New england striped bass, blackseabass, tautog and damn good shellfish around here in south coast MA/RI

ive heard mahi tacos are whats up

They are in fact whats up, had some for dinner last night and lunch today

 

[TNFISHRMAN]

I doubt you "boiled" your differential fluid. It's 90W lube.

I recently changed my differential fluid at 135,000 miles with Valvoline 80-90W (conventional) - 3 quarts - and it took all of 30 minutes to drain and fill.

I don't tow with my 2005 SR5 4runner, but I like to fish here in the Bahamas.

Think the mahi landed in the Marlin Marine tournament is a record catch in any Hawaiian/California/Florida tournament?
View attachment 343093

See the wire to the tournament scale. 71.1 pounds?

If yours is leaking try Amazon.com for quick delivery of the rear differential gasket ($10.06). Free delivery.

Here's the link. https://www.amazon.com/Yukon-Gear-Y...5------------&vehicleName=2005+Toyota+4Runner

I was asking about replacing the pinion seal not the gear oil and gasket. Boiled was just my term. The gear oil was just changed before that trip. When I got home and drained it out, it was black as coal. The smell was so bad you could smell it inside my house just from me going inside and right back to get a drink. The rear end got so hot in the area where the exhaust hit it that it burnt the paint off the rear end. So it probably got hot enough it that area to boil it.

Thanks for the info about the gasket. My pinion seal is what is leaking after changing the gear oil not the gasket.

 

[rdruss]

So you got the correct T-Case to get your 4runner up and running and then this happens?

 

[gaber6]

Mine failed as well and I agree with the eyeball the nut placement and torque. It is on there super tight, I think I used an impact to remove it. Seal pops in and out.

 

[TNFISHRMAN]

So you got the correct T-Case to get your 4runner up and running and then this happens?

Sorry, I have been working a lot and have not had a chance to get on here much. Yes I finally got the T-case straightened out. I was given two T-cases for a V-6 from LKQ. As they say third time is the charm and I finally got the right one for a v-8 and I am now good to go.

As far as the rear end, Someone was doubting the ability of the exhaust from the muffler being hot enough to boil the Gear Oil in the rear differential. I can assure that it did get that hot. The Seal got hot enough that the lip deformed and it started leaking and the black paint is completely burnt off the passenger side of the rear end. V-8 owners beware of the tail pipe rotting off close to you rear end. Because mine was within 8-10 inches and perfectly inline to blow right on the right side of the rear axle housing. Exhaust temperatures are extremely hot especially when blowing constantly on metal.
I did get the pinion seal changed and no leaks as of today. Thanks for everyone's replies.