'91 Prado LJ78 EX5 Front Diff Oil Conatmination

[Lee777]

Hi All

Problem: Front Diff oil is contaminated + wont go into 4wd. I had it checked out by a shop. They found the electronic hubs to be ok but noticed the diff oil was goop.

I encountered the goopy diff oil issue with my '83 BJ60 and resolved the issue by replacing the axle seals.

Is there an equivalent work up for the LJ78 describing axle seal replacement on MUD? My attemps at searching were futile. If there isnt one, Id like to do a write up/photoessay.

Thanks!
Lee

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Hi All

Problem: Front Diff oil is contaminated + wont go into 4wd. I had it checked out by a shop. They found the electronic hubs to be ok but noticed the diff oil was goop.

I encountered the goopy diff oil issue with my '83 BJ60 and resolved the issue by replacing the axle seals.

Is there an equivalent work up for the LJ78 describing axle seal replacement on MUD? My attemps at searching were futile. If there isnt one, Id like to do a write up/photoessay.

Thanks!
Lee

Hi Lee,

I just rebuilt my front axle bearings/seals in December on my LJ78. I rebuilt all my calipers and replaced brake disks at the same time. It was a huge job, but ended up well. I followed the KZJ70 manual that is posted here: http://daemon4x4.org/portal/downloads.php?dcid=17&p=3 (Land Cruiser KZJ 70 Series II - 1KZ-T Engine). You'll need bit torrent to get the manual. The front axle in the KZJ70 is basically identical to the LJ78 front axle. Unfortunetly the part about the e-hubs is missing, but the rest of the important stuff is there. I did find most of the e-hub part elsewhere if you want it.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask, and I'll do my best to answer from my experience. There are also a few threads on ih8mud about the procedure too. And some really good threads showing the job on other Toyota websites.

Here is my post showing pics of the completed job. https://forum.ih8mud.com/70-series-tech/676015-lj78-brake-swivelhub-e-hub-rebuild.html

I recommend doing a thorough job once you get in there. Check all the seals, bearings, felt wipers, grease, etc. Be very very careful with the e-hub, as you can wreck them if you are not. Ask me for details if you don't know about this already. You can buy kits to do this job that supply all the seals and bearings.

 

[Lee777]

Thanks for the direction GTS!

I'll keep you posted about my progress.

take care
lee

 

[Radd Cruisers]

The goopy oil is almost never a cause for 4WD not to work, it's just the grease from the knuckles mixing with the gear oil - often from people forcing too much grease in to the service port on the knuckle, causing the grease to pass into the axle housing and mixing with the oil.

If the oil is white and goopy, then you have a problem with water contamination.

Check that the front axle breather is not plugged up while you're at it.

We have all the gaskets, seals, bearings and front end kits in stock for your LJ78. If you need these parts, feel free to call us.

If your E-hubs are working okay, then you need to make sure that the vacuum actuator on the transfer case is operating ok. Sometimes the solenoids are faulty. The vacuum actuator itself is very robust and is almost never the problem.

Don't forget to lock the hubs first while the vehicle is stopped, then you can use the 4WD button to go in and out of 4WD on the fly. If you accidentally unlock the hubs while moving, you'll have to stop to re-engage them again.

~John