2005 LC 105 Front Differential leaking problem. (1 Viewer)

[Kamran Khan]

Yesterday, I spent the whole day at the mechanic's shop to reseal the front differential. I even provided genuine paper gasket to the mechanic and the mechanic also used silicon, but it still didn't fix the problem. The next morning, there were still tiny drops of oil leaking from the front differential.
I called the mechanic today and told him that the diff is still leaking oil, and he told me to bring it back, he said he will use JB weld type of glue to fix the leak. Before heading back to the mechanic, I drained the diff oil and applied jb weld glue on the joint where the leak was coming from, I let the glue get dry, and after I filled the diff, it started leaking again.
What is the proper way of sealing the front differential?

 

[mudgudgeon]

Post pics

Paper gasket with some gasket glue IMO

I've tried FIPG / RTV silicone in the past and had leaks.
If you use FIPG or Silicone, apply your sealant, set the part in place, let the silicone set a bit before fully tightening it down.
A bit hard to do with a heavy unweildy diff centre.

Here's a pic of a diff centre I used RTV on. It squished almost completely out leaving just the thinnest film to try to seal.

I also think RTV stays kinda slippery when it's set, so parts are more likely to move at the junction.

 

[Kamran Khan]

 

[Kamran Khan]

 

[Kamran Khan]

If you zoom in this photo, you will see the lip of the diff is sort of dented outwards. I am not sure if this got hit by rock, or it's from factory like this. I believe this maybe the cause of leak.

 

[bj70bc]

ive had good success with form in place gasket (fipg) specifically 'the right stuff' brand. I believe permatex makes it, you dont fully tighten the bolts down until it sets a bit, just hand tight.....theres instructions, dont use the paper gasket
works great on oil pans too as its so sticky it will hold the pan up while you deal with the bolts
I think theres a higher torque version too for things like this

 

[kevin in okinawa]

JB weld epoxy? That's a permanent type of fix for a removable part (the diff). I don't think that's a great idea to use on that area/for that purpose, you're going to have a mess trying to grind and wire wheel it all off now in order to remove the diff. I'm sorry I don't have a better idea of how to stop the drip without actually seeing the problem, but you may want to rethink that one.

 

[Kamran Khan]

That epoxy is just plastic and not metal. A bit of blow torch heat can clean it in seconds. I haven't been able to fix the leak yet due to bad weather, hopefully if the weather cleaners up, I will upload photos of the repair.

 

[bj70bc]

has to come apart bud

 

[Kamran Khan]

Update.
Ok, this time my car spent two nights and 3 day in a local Toyota dealership shop, and it's finally fixed. No paper gasket was used. Mechanic used some type of liquid gasket maker named shellac, and It's holding pretty well. Figures crossed.

 

[mudgudgeon]

Update.
Ok, this time my car spent two nights and 3 day in a local Toyota dealership shop, and it's finally fixed. No paper gasket was used. Mechanic used some type of liquid gasket maker named shellac, and It's holding pretty well. Figures crossed.
View attachment 3545063
View attachment 3545066

Shellac is what is used to French polish furniture. It's a varnish made from beetle wings.

I assume the brand has just used the term Shellac because it's a sticky varnish type of gasket sealer?