Sh!t Happened! Rear diff leak

[PARunner17]

Replacement axle housing on the way. My 1999 Highlander had the rear diff cover spring a leak last week. The hole is right near the tab where the e brake cable connects. After doing some searching here I found it to be a common problem in the rust belt. Very frustrating as I've always tried to mitigate the rust issues by keeping in heated garage always, undercoating, washing weekly in winter, wax wax wax.

Ordered a new axle housing, as the rest of the vehicle is in great condition, and didn't want to go the JB weld route. I've also ordered a new gasket and breather plug but got thinking about any other parts that might make sense to replace now. Rear shocks come to mind although they are not blown or leaking. Outer seals have been done as well a few years ago and it already has e-locker.

Words of wisdom would be appreciated :redbrick:

 

[A.Wilson013]

Wheel bearing, perhaps? Maybe brakes, pending their condition? Bushings on all the rear links?

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Replacement axle housing on the way. My 1999 Highlander had the rear diff cover spring a leak last week. The hole is right near the tab where the e brake cable connects. After doing some searching here I found it to be a common problem in the rust belt. Very frustrating as I've always tried to mitigate the rust issues by keeping in heated garage always, undercoating, washing weekly in winter, wax wax wax.

Ordered a new axle housing, as the rest of the vehicle is in great condition, and didn't want to go the JB weld route. I've also ordered a new gasket and breather plug but got thinking about any other parts that might make sense to replace now. Rear shocks come to mind although they are not blown or leaking. Outer seals have been done as well a few years ago and it already has e-locker.

Words of wisdom would be appreciated :redbrick:

Are you the original owner?

 

[PARunner17]

I am the 2nd owner, Vehicle has 135k miles. Considering new shoes for rear drums, the they are worn but passed inspection.

 

[Mark_BC]

What do you mean by "undercoating"? I remember years ago in northern Ontario we under coated our toyota tercel with ziebart. All it did was separate and trap salt and moisture and make the corrosion worse. I would use paint very carefully. I just scraped tons of rust off my differential and repaired two holes with Jb weld. Then I coated the thing with rust cure 3000 which gets good reviews at canadian tire. It's an oil that sticks to it.

 

[frodiesel]

If you keep your car in a heated garage, you are actually exacerbating the rust process. Leave the salt on, leave it outside, outta the sun.

I always wondered how the heck some people have rust worse than others in the same area....putting the car i the heated garage, speeds up the chemical reaction that causes rust

 

[KidVermicious]

^ Yup. Rinse the undercarriage weekly and let that shit freeze. Don't put the truck in the garage until the undercarriage is free of water and ice.

 

[Scramble]

^ Yup. Rinse the undercarriage weekly and let that shit freeze. Don't put the truck in the garage until the undercarriage is free of water and ice.

If you keep your car in a heated garage, you are actually exacerbating the rust process. Leave the salt on, leave it outside, outta the sun.

I always wondered how the heck some people have rust worse than others in the same area....putting the car i the heated garage, speeds up the chemical reaction that causes rust

That's interesting & did not know that. My trucks never been garaged & have less rust than most NE T4R's.

 

[nissanh]

Whenever I wash the undercarriage and/or body, I keep the truck out in the sun/fresh air with doors/hood open to dry completely before roll it into the garage.

During corrosion, oxygen gets reduced and forms hydroxide. This hydroxide makes the surrounding area basic. The paint gets soften or weaken due to this basicity leading to accelerated corrosion.

 

[ranchdog]

That's a bummer. Hope you get it fixed soon

Ranchdog