Transfer Oil Leak

[DocMT]

I looked at the exploded view in my 4runner service manual and it is a job to take the tcase off and split it and pull the actuator off just to replace the o-ring gasket. But it is not rocket science either.

I also looked on line and found a place that will sell an entire new factory tcase for $2045. So I would be hard pressed to pay someone $2k to fix this when I could buy a new tcase and swap it myself. WTF?

I am guessing it would take me about 8-10 hours to do the whole job start to finish. I would also just buy a rebuild kit for the tcase and replace all of the bearings, gaskets and seals while in there. Or maybe find a local shop to rebuild it for me and just do the pull & re-install of the whole case myself.

BTW, the tcase on the V6 is the VF4AM and on the V8 is the VF4BM

Is that price really for a NEW transfer case, or is it a rebuilt unit?

And I'm not sure why anyone would buy a whole new transfer case unless their old one is broken. I surely wouldn't do buy a new one if my only problem is a leak. I'd rather buy the $5 o-ring and fix it myself!

 

[night]

Has anyone had luck with just changing the seals for the shift actuator? I just had this start on my 04 AWD v8 4Runner. The dealer says its a plastic part that warps and wants to replace the entire shift actuator (at an extra $1000). My local trans shop can do the seal but will this actually solve the problem? The actuator appears to be fine and trans shifts without issues.

 

[V8Limited4wd]

Has anyone had luck with just changing the seals for the shift actuator? I just had this start on my 04 AWD v8 4Runner. The dealer says its a plastic part that warps and wants to replace the entire shift actuator (at an extra $1000). My local trans shop can do the seal but will this actually solve the problem? The actuator appears to be fine and trans shifts without issues.

how many miles do you have? i'm gonna take it to the dealer to get something else fixed but also ask them to check it for leaks.

 

[night]

I've got just over 100k miles, no warranty It needs a trans flush at this point too.

 

[DaveS]

Out of interest, has anybody with access to shop manuals established whether this design has carried over to the 5th Gen?

 

[night]

I just want to avoid having just the seal done and then be paying labor again in 6months on the same issue vs paying extra now to have the whole actuator replaced with new seals and be good for hopefully another 100k

 

[DocMT]

Out of interest, has anybody with access to shop manuals established whether this design has carried over to the 5th Gen?

I don't know for sure, but my educated guess would be yes. The 5th gen is pretty much a carry-over mechanically from the 4th gen. A few things have changed, but not much. Just wait until we start seeing 5th gens with frozen front caliper pistons and you'll see what I mean. If there's one thing that makes my criticize Toyota, it's that they don't seem quick to respond and correct common issues. The 5th gen still has smelly cats and driveshaft thumps, for example.

 

[BC72511]

I believe I may have the same issue. 121K miles and after last oil change, notice oily substance leaking from the opening in the skid plate. Went back to oil shop to see if seal was loose, and they said could not find oil leak, same issue perhaps? Is this an easy fix with a replacement seal? I am about to drive from CO to NC in June and would like to know if this problem will affect my trip before I can get back to my home mechanic.

 

[delucat2]

I just used wire ties to strap one of those oil spill pads from west marine just below the actuator to catch the drips. No way i'm replacing the actuator.

Sometimes you just put a diaper on it and monitor.