Wheel bearing replacement after axle seal leak

[Falcon3]

MODs: could someone please move this to Tech? Wasn't sure where to post, but not getting much interest in 4th Gen. thanks!

About a year ago I had a bad rear axle seal leak on my 08 Sport. Sprayed a lot of fluid all over the wheel and brake assembly. I was on vacation and the dealership put a seal in and stopped the leak. I probably drove 250 miles with it leaking badly, but it probably had a slow leak prior to me noticing it.

I know axle fluid can dilute the grease in the bearing and cause premature failure. The bearing is original the truck had 170k. The axle seal leak happened about 12k ago and no problems yet with the bearing.

I'm doing a bunch of other maintenance on the truck and am wondering if I should pull the axle again and have a new bearings by put in, in the event that it starts going bad later. I do a lot of cross-country road trips and camping 50+ miles off pavement.
So, replace prophylactically or let it ride? Or, would bearing problems from insufficient grease have showed up in the 12,000 miles I've driven since the axle leak.
Thanks!

 

[46runner]

Had a similar issue a few thousand miles ago. Slow seal leak due to a rusted breather plug. Replaced the plug, seal and keeping an eye on the wheel bearing. No issues so far.

 

[S p a r k y]

First thought about moving your thread. Give it a day or two for people to look at it, not everyone with that type of knowledge is keeping an eye on the forum as much as you think. A little more than 8 hours can get you some responses.

I believe you are over thinking the bearing. In 12k miles, I think that's proof everything is good. However if you know your going to second guess the whole time, change it for piece of mind.

 

[capri_auto]

MODs: could someone please move this to Tech? Wasn't sure where to post, but not getting much interest in 4th Gen. thanks!

About a year ago I had a bad rear axle seal leak on my 08 Sport. Sprayed a lot of fluid all over the wheel and brake assembly. I was on vacation and the dealership put a seal in and stopped the leak. I probably drove 250 miles with it leaking badly, but it probably had a slow leak prior to me noticing it.

I know axle fluid can dilute the grease in the bearing and cause premature failure. The bearing is original the truck had 170k. The axle seal leak happened about 12k ago and no problems yet with the bearing.

I'm doing a bunch of other maintenance on the truck and am wondering if I should pull the axle again and have a new bearings by put in, in the event that it starts going bad later. I do a lot of cross-country road trips and camping 50+ miles off pavement.
So, replace prophylactically or let it ride? Or, would bearing problems from insufficient grease have showed up in the 12,000 miles I've driven since the axle leak.
Thanks!

Any updates, Im in the same situation. Just wondering if it's worth swapping the bearing.

 

[TowMeOut]

Maybe this thread will help: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/212598-4th-generation-rear-wheel-bearings.html

I was thinking it was silly not to do the bearing (never done the rear axle on this truck). Seems like the bearings just keep going and the seal replacement isn't too bad.

 

[bob3dsf]

Usually You'll know it if the bearings are bad. You'll have a roaring sound that changes with speed.