To buy low mileage or high mileage, that is the question

[jeremyc74]

Jeremy,

Let me guess -- Rear pinion seal that keeps leaking?

No, it sounds like a bad bearing. The truck is in VA and I'm in FL right now, so I haven't had a chance to get under there and completely diagnose it. It sounds almost like tire noise, but the pitch picks up faster than that as speed increases, so I'm pretty sure it's either the pinion bearing, or maybe (hopefully) a universal joint.

 

[amalik]

No, it sounds like a bad bearing. The truck is in VA and I'm in FL right now, so I haven't had a chance to get under there and completely diagnose it. It sounds almost like tire noise, but the pitch picks up faster than that as speed increases, so I'm pretty sure it's either the pinion bearing, or maybe (hopefully) a universal joint.

My rear pinion seal would continue to leak after just a little mileage... even after 2 replacements by 2 different Toyota mechanics. I ended up getting new Yukon bearings installed for whole rear diff. Only reused parts were the ring and pinion, everything else was new.

I paid a decent amount for the job, but he also did my rear axle seals at the same time.