Transfer case leak and look for advice

[wowly]

03 4WD 4runner Sports. 147K miles. Just noticed leaking underneath near transfer case. From the pictures, looks like lead from the transfer case itself. What do you guys think?

I am about to go on a trip for 3 days. Not sure if it's safe to drive it.

 

[rdruss]

Has it been leaving drips in garage/driveway? If not, I would check the fluid level, top it off if necessary and take your trip. If it has been leaving drips, then it definitely needs level check.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

If it's not leaving a puddle of oil of oil every time you park then you're probably okay for now.

It's likely the input shaft seal for the transfer case; it's a common leak for a lot of the trucks/SUVs. It's relatively easy to fix as all you need to do is pull the transfer case off and replace the seal. I would recommend also replacing the transmission output shaft seal as well while you're in there as a preventative measure.

But if it's not leaving puddles, check the fluid and top it off; how long is your trip?

 

[wowly]

No puddle or sign yet on the ground. When I checked the transmission fluid, seems high. No check of transmission fluid so not sure why.

Will drive it. When back will send to the shop to check the fluid.

Thanks all!

 

[ArthurKotb]

My '04 T4R dripped on my driveway for months. It wasn't much of a drip, but it did drip. I took it to a garage I use and they checked the level, said it wasn't at all low. They filled it up and a year later I had them check it again. They said it still wasn't low. I got tired of the drip mess on the driveway and asked them to take care of it. It wasn't cheap but I don't have any place to work on something like that myself. It's now many years later, pulling a 5500 lb travel trailer across country and still no leaks. I wouldn't worry about it until it starts dripping on the driveway.

 

[wowly]

Back from the trip. Today I got under the truck and took a closer look. It seems the leaks are from two places as the photos shown.

Any suggestion on cause of the leaks?

 

[gimlithepirate]

First step of leak detection, get some brake clean or simple green and clean all the old gunk off. Then drive a nice decent sized loop and look under there again. See if there are leaks in both places or just one.

The goal here is to try and isolate and make sure you aren't seeing one leak that flies to the second spot while driving. It could also be 2 separate leaks. You hit a certain age on these rigs, and you suddenly feel like you have to replace every bit of rubber in the system.

 

[wowly]

I cleaned the area and leak is from this area. Any suggestion on the cause of leak?

 

[mochacho]

Clean it and pour some Blue Devil into it.