A few insights & a new problem

Jim_Phillips · 04-14-04, 03:12 AM

I have changed the diffs, transfer box and gear box to synthetic oil. On Saturday I engaged the free wheeling hubs and was in 4WD for a few miles and now I have a leak. Am I right that this will need a new seal in the axle housing? I didn't have the leak before changing to synthetic - is synthetic more likely to leak?

I did some other work which has had unexpected benefits.. I changed the PAS belt and this has cured a judder in the steering which came on when I was at full lock. Suspect that the old belt was loose.

Synthetic oil in the gearbox has cured the notchy feel that it had before - it now feels smooth.

New springs and shocks have straightened up the steering wheel. The wheel used to point at twenty to one and now ponts at quarter to three.

If I need to change the hub oil seal, should I expect to replace the bearings? I have done 81,000 miles (60 series) It would be a PITA to strip it down and find that I need new bearings and then have to wait for them. On the other hand, it would be a waste of money to replace them if they are OK. What mileage have others had from their bearings?

Cheers, Jim

tucker74 · 04-14-04, 07:58 AM

Looks like your axle seal is leaking - haven't seen it on a diff, but synthetic oils have been known to leak where dino didn't. What really sucks is you have to tear down the birfs to get to that little $2 seal - might as well repack the whole thing while your in there (probably hasn't been done if it only has 81k and looks like that). Most people wait until 100-120k to do the bearings...but as long as you're in there you might as well do it (don't want to go back for a while - trust me). Here's a good write up from the tech section....good luck!

Tucker

Jukelemon · 04-14-04, 08:05 AM

Jim:

Switching to synthetic oil CAN cause leaks especially in an older engine. It has happened quite often to 80 series owners at the head gasket. Synthetics do not have the same consistency as regular oil and will "creep" out of places/gaps in the gaskets that regular oil did not. It is a good general rule NOT to use synthetics if the seals are old or if you do not plan on replacing them prior to the oil switch.

theo · 04-14-04, 08:13 AM

81,000 isn't enough mileage to wear out properly lubed and adjusted wheel bearings. If it were me, I would plan on re-using them, especially if you can get a new set locally.

cruiser_guy · 04-14-04, 08:26 AM

A front axle rebuild, which is essentially what you'll be doing, will take you all day. You'll need to get the seals and gaskets to allow you to go all the way to the inner axle seal (about $100 or so in parts). I've got nearly 400,000kM on my '60 and, as far as I can remember, I have only done the wheel bearings once.
Keep track of the shims at the knuckles so you can put them back in the way they came out.

Jim_Phillips · 04-15-04, 02:05 AM

Thanks fpr the info and advice. There was one other thing I meant to ask.. is the oil less likely to leak if I don't lock the hubs? I won't have a chance to do the job for 2 months - will it be OK? I will only do about 1000 miles in that time.

I'll check the cost of bearings and then decide whether to replace. When I did this job on my 80 they were fine at 100,000 miles.

Cheers

bad_religion_au · 04-15-04, 08:29 AM

what you don't like the ptwrps???

don't know if this makes you feel better, but mine have leaked since i bought them, and it still drives fine and wheels fine (i've put about 50 000 Km on it). i know i'm lazy

ptwrps = patented toyota wheel rust prevention system

beanz2 · 04-16-04, 09:12 AM

[quote author=Jim_Phillips link=board=1;threadid=14778;start=msg139559#msg139 559 date=1082016338]
Thanks fpr the info and advice. There was one other thing I meant to ask.. is the oil less likely to leak if I don't lock the hubs?
[/quote]

There is only one barrier between the diff oil and the knuckle, Jim, the axle seal. By driving it in 4WD, the axle must have turned in the seal and possibly breaking whatever crud that was bonding the seal to the axle.

One thousand miles if probably OK if you don't replace the seals but eventually the grease in the knuckle bearings will get diluted by the diff oil and the bearings will likely to wear down sooner. Again, no big deal if you end up replacing the bearings anyway.

Dave