2004 4Runner xfer case leak (1 Viewer)

[SteveLCetc]

My sister's 4Runner has a leak, and in looking through the web the most common problem is the actuator o-ring, which the dealer wants $1700 to fix. She's 250 miles away so I can't see it. Is that probably it, and is there an easier fix? Does the o-ring get destroyed or just worn? Has anybody fixed this?

Thanks...

 

[Duane]

well that bites. I buy Toyotas so a 7 yr old vehicle doesn't leak. Thats what domestic buyers are used to and why I pay more for a Toyota.

When I bought our 99, yes no common parts I would think but, the rear transfer case seal failed which was about a $12 item at the dealer and a half hour labour to replace. It has held up so my best guess is it may have sat quite a while and or fluid hadn't been changed by previous owner for a long time.

Just happy that something wasn't worn excessively to take out the seal as it seemed odd that it would fail. Also a concern as the T-case holds very little oil so a leak could get a person into a big repair pretty quickly if not addressed immediately. The back of my runner was splattered with oil, it dripped onto the exhaust so it stank of burning oil too.

 

[Shaniac]

Could be the front seal...is the front drive shaft caked up with oil? Never replaced the front seal on my transfer case.but from my understanding it is not too hard.

 

[Sam Stewart]

Hey Steve, I'm not sure if this is the same oring but we had a Lexus GX470 (basically Lexus 4Runner) come in once that this oring was leaking on and they had to take all kinds of stuff apart to get to it.

Edit: There very possibly may be an easier way to get to it but that's how the repair manual said to do it.