Transfer Case Replacement

[gstai]

In the past couple days I have noticed that my transfer case is leaking an amount of oil that concerns me. Its enough that its ending up on the gas tank skid plate and the rear axle. I have been doing some research on fixing it and it doesn't look like its gonna be cheap. Would it be cheaper and safe to by a rebuilt TC or a used one off eBay then spend lots to have mine rebuilt? I know that if I had it rebuilt it would be around $1600 so I really want to avoid it since I just got my transmission rebuilt only a month or two ago and money is in short supply. It seems like its the shift actuator problem since that's where its leaking. Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

 

[brian2sun]

Does it still engage in 4hi and 4lo? Can you take some good pics of the leak?

 

[gstai]

Yes it does still shift into 4hi and 4lo. I will take some pics tomorrow morning.

 

[gstai]

Here is the pic.


Its been spraying oil all over the rear area. Its a little hard to capture what it looks like on an iPhone.

 

[brian2sun]

Is it just the (front) driveshaft output seal that's leaking. I just replaced mine a couple months ago. ~$25 for the seal, a qt. of gear oil, and 1/2 hour of my time.

 

[gstai]

I think it is cause that's where the most discoloration is. That would be amazing if it was that easy. Did you have a car lift or did you just drop it down with a jack and replace it in your garage? If it's that easy I need to order parts now cause I got a 600 mile trip to Norcal next Friday and I don't want any problems.

 

[brian2sun]

I think it is cause that's where the most discoloration is. That would be amazing if it was that easy. Did you have a car lift or did you just drop it down with a jack and replace it in your garage? If it's that easy I need to order parts now cause I got a 600 mile trip to Norcal next Friday and I don't want any problems.

First I would have a mechanic look at it because it's too hard to tell from a photo. Tell the shop you just want to see what you're up against and they'll probably check it out for free. They should be able to tell in a few seconds if it's that easy. If it is, you don't need to drop the t-case or anything and my truck sits high enough I didn't need a jack.

Have you checked all your other fluids and made sure that it's the t-case that's leaking and not engine oil or something else making it's way down onto the t-case?

 

[gstai]

First I would have a mechanic look at it because it's too hard to tell from a photo. Tell the shop you just want to see what you're up against and they'll probably check it out for free. They should be able to tell in a few seconds if it's that easy. If it is, you don't need to drop the t-case or anything and my truck sits high enough I didn't need a jack.

Have you checked all your other fluids and made sure that it's the t-case that's leaking and not engine oil or something else making it's way down onto the t-case?

I know its the TC oil.I cleaned the hell out of it a couple days ago to see where exactly it was coming from and its definitely the front o-ring. There is no other residual oil anywhere in front of the case. I can have someone check probably on friday. I need to get it fixed this weekend because I don't want to have problems when I'm driving around in the high Sierra's.

 

[gstai]

Yah so it is the front output seal. Does anyone know what part number it would be? I will probably go to Toyota tomorrow to get the parts I just want to make I get the right seal. Also I think I'm going to make a guide to removing and replacing it because it seems like no one has one for 2000 4runner.

 

[brian2sun]

Have the dealership give you the part # based on your VIN if possible. IIRC, there was a 40mm and a 40.5mm listed for mine. I brought the part in hand and matched it up by eye.

 

[driffter33]

I got even luckier with this one mine was leaking so I went to the dealer got the new seal via the vin# picked up the fliud and u joints figured id changes those to at 120,000 miles. Anyway I drained the oil the was unable to break loose the drive shaft flange bolts using 1/2 drive electric impact, and the wrenches I had so I filled it back up greased the u joints and wa-la no more leaking who would have guessed. Its been over a month now and just spent last weekend 4x4ing still dry.:surfer: