Rotated my tires and found this.....

[flyte74]

One benefit of doing some of the simpler maintenance tasks is it allows you to spot some things that may develop into bigger problems if allowed to go unchecked. For example, I discovered an oil leak somewhere. I'll be looking more into that and I'm sure I will be asking you guys for recommendations and help.

Another thing I discovered is what I am guessing to be brake fluid on my rear drums. My immediate question is, is this normal? If not, what needs to be done to fix it. The fluid is on both the driver and passenger side rear drums. Thanks for any help!

 

[mehuddles13]

Have you checked the axle seals. They are a problem.

 

[rdgt4r]

No this isn't normal. Pop the drum off and inspect some more. It can be two things the infamous rear axle seal failure or brake fluid from the cylinder or what not. The rear axle seal is an easy fix that is my guess as to what the leak is.

 

[RyanKay]

that's definitely the axle seal.

 

[rdgt4r]

Here you go. Its really easy, just buy a quality seal worth the little extra $$
And when you pop the drum off and see all the oil inside the drum and on the shoes replace those too. clean with brake fluid cleaner and replace the shoes.


Replacing Rear Axle Seals - 3rd Gen 4Runner - YotaTech Forums

 

[flyte74]

Here you go. Its really easy, just buy a quality seal worth the little extra $$
And when you pop the drum off and see all the oil inside the drum and on the shoes replace those too. clean with brake fluid cleaner and replace the shoes.

Thanks for the tip and link for the how to. I'm going to pick up the seals today and replace the old ones this weekend. Now as far as quality parts, should I get two of the seals from the dealership or get them from a parts store? I guess my question is which ones are better?

 

[rdgt4r]

Thanks for the tip and link for the how to. I'm going to pick up the seals today and replace the old ones this weekend. Now as far as quality parts, should I get two of the seals from the dealership or get them from a parts store? I guess my question is which ones are better?

You can get the Timken seal at a local auto store like autozone
(Timken #1960)

 

[BTO]

They all do that. Be sure to check the rear differential breather. Our '99 was clogged and even my '07 Tacoma's breather was clogged. I noticed it back when I only had 30k miles on it. Notice when you open the fill plug on the dif it sucks air? I clean them out with PB Blaster and then they flow well.

 

[BTO]

Here you go.
Replacing Rear Axle Seals - 3rd Gen 4Runner - YotaTech Forums

If you jack up the side you are working on high enough no oil will run out. That should be added to that write up.

 

[toytech76]

Get toyota seals. Part # 90310-90006. Do both sides since you will also be needing to do your rear brakes since they are most likely soaked in gear oil. Doing both sides now will save you money and headaches later

 

[01sr54x4]

Get toyota seals. Part # 90310-90006. Do both sides since you will also be needing to do your rear brakes since they are most likely soaked in gear oil. Doing both sides now will save you money and headaches later

Couldn't agree more. Don't skimp on crap parts.

 

[caddyhack]

make sure you replace the oil soakes rear brake shoes because the become defective once any forin oil/greas get on them even if you just did rear brake pads your gonna have to replace them again. my dad and brother owne a brake shop

 

[rdgt4r]

Get toyota seals. Part # 90310-90006. Do both sides since you will also be needing to do your rear brakes since they are most likely soaked in gear oil. Doing both sides now will save you money and headaches later

Come on now Timken is a very reputable company, no worries using them! = )

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Stick with OEM since I've seen aftermarket seals leak shortly after the install and I was a victim of using parts store seals and ended up going with Toyota seals and that was over 40k miles ago and no problems since.

BTW,rear seals going out is a common place on 3rd gens and most go around 100k miles and has almost become sort of a regular maintenance issue.

 

[JeremyH]

Come on now Timken is a very reputable company, no worries using them! = )

Agreed! I've replaced both inner and outer axle seals in countless vehicles with Timken seals and used their bearings on gearsets and have never had a problem with the seal.

It should be noted that whenever you replace a seal, if it immediately starts to leak again, then you did not clean the mating surface properly. Both surfaces, inner (axle shaft) and outer (housing) need to be completely clean from debris before the new seal is installed.

 

[flyte74]

Get toyota seals. Part # 90310-90006. Do both sides since you will also be needing to do your rear brakes since they are most likely soaked in gear oil. Doing both sides now will save you money and headaches later

Dang, so having to replace the brake pads is a bummer. Oh well, seems like a fairly easy process. I bought the OEM seals yesterday. No offense but I'm one of those "OEM if I can" kind of people. Thanks for all the info. I plan on doing the repair this weekend. After that, I'll be asking you guys to help me diagnose and fix the engine oil leak I found!

 

[Jed]

BTW,rear seals going out is a common place on 3rd gens and most go around 100k miles and has almost become sort of a regular maintenance issue.

Rear axle seal failure is fairly common on every live axle vehicle, so it's not just limited to Toyotas or 4Runners in general.

Just ask the Mustang and Camaro guys...they have to deal with the same issue if they have an older car. Unfortunately, once the seals leak the brake shoes are destroyed, but that's only if you have drum brakes.