Leaking Front Pinion Seal?

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Saracal

Saracal

15 Year 10 Year
Joined
Oct 29, 2010
Threads
7
Messages
28
Location
Easton, MD
Thanks to MUD I have managed to replace the Front Axle seals and Birf rebuild so no more clicking and all looks good there. I still have to fix a leaking front pinion seal and I would like to try this myself.
I did not find any step by step in the FAQ's so my question is this. Before I try to take the seal/bearing out, what special tools will I need and are these available at Auto stores or are they very specific to Toyota?
The manual calls for SST's that I cannot cross reference anywhere!
Thanks!
 
Not yet....I keep leaning on him for parts and other specifics and didn't want to wear out my welcome! :)
 
Did this.... twice.

No special tools needed except an inch pound tq wrench to set the back lash.

There are write ups on this board somewhere if you check it.

I did it twice because it turned out not to be the seal but the flange it sits in had a groove created by the seal over time.
 
Can anyone suggest a list of alternative tools we can use if the SST's are not available? The FSM shows a bunch of SST's; flange puller, seal puller, seal installer, a tool to hold the flange,etc.

Edit: lt2fire, good to know about the groove as a possible cause of a leaky seal. Wonder if anyone makes an offset pinion seal for our rigs??
 
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Kernal said:
Can anyone suggest a list of alternative tools we can use if the SST's are not available? The FSM shows a bunch of SST's; flange puller, seal puller, seal installer, a tool to hold the flange,etc.

Edit: lt2fire, good to know about the groove as a possible cause of a leaky seal. Wonder if anyone makes an offset pinion seal for our rigs??
Click to expand...

If I remember correctly I didn't use any SST's

Also make sure you mark the pinion nut
 
Saracal; Don't mean to hijack your thread, I was reading the FSM last night and had the same questions.

Anyone have a list of alternate tools and methods?
 
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There are no SST's needed for this job just follow the fsm and improvise.... all you need is a torque wrench, ft lbs and inch lbs and a seal puller or even a screw driver can work.
 
Here's one of Zuk's front ring and pinion installs. A lot more detail than you need but there are pics of pinion seal removal and installation without SSTs. Large sockets and old races can be used to install the new seal.

Front gear install
 
I'm getting the picture a bit better, how about saracal? If anyone has more photos of doing the job on the rig please post them up.

Anyone: Is it OK to use an impact wrench when removing the pinion nut? Is it recommended to take out the rear bearing to check it? Any specific brand/type/size of puller?
 
Kernal said:
I'm getting the picture a bit better, how about saracal? If anyone has more photos of doing the job on the rig please post them up.

Anyone: Is it OK to use an impact wrench when removing the pinion nut? Is it recommended to take out the rear bearing to check it? Any specific brand/type/size of puller?
Click to expand...

No on the impact
 
Kernal,
That's my concern...doing this repair on vehicle. I did not want to have to take the front differential off. I was concerned mainly with the removal of the bearing outer race. After my experience with removing the races from the knuckle, I realized how tight a fit and painful it can be to remove. I am assuming it is easier if you take the differential out for this, but leaving it in place and removing the bearing and race is where I have reservations. I like you am unsure if a standard "puller" will work on this. Anybody have pictures/experience with relacing the oil seal all the way down to the bearing spacer "on vehicle"?
Thanks!
 
why are you removing the bearing and race??? I thought you were just replacing the seal.
 
No idea besides reviewing the FSM detailing the replacement all the way down to the bearing spacer. Since there is an oil storage ring behind the bearing/racer, I thought it best to go all that way if I have a leak? If the leaks usually occur only from the oil seal, then you are probably right and I should only replace it and pehaps the slinger since we are there?
 
I was wondering if while you're in there whether or not you should check the rear pinion bearing. Like we check wheel and trunnion bearings when servicing the front axle. Do either of the pinion bearings wear more than the other? Is it just too much trouble or more likely to mess things up by pulling the rear bearing to check it while the pinion seal is off??
 
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