Formerjeeper
SILVER Star
2005 LC - had passenger side gear oil leak from rear axle at 210K miles.
March 2022 - Local independent shop where I have spent plenty of money over the years (10K+ but just got the LC a year ago) did the work - supposedly done by a 20-year experienced Toyota dealer tech. Photo below - outer and inner seals, bearing, etc., supposedly all Toyota parts but I didn't source parts.
July 2022 - leaking again, now at 220K miles (10K miles since initial repair). Shop handled under warranty but replaced only outer seal. I suggested they check breather also.
August 2022 - leaking again. Realized warranty work did outer seal only. Asked shop about whether inner seal could be the issue - I didn't think there should be gear oil past the inner seal? Shop said it's normal for gear oil to pass the inner seal. This is what sounds like BS to me. They are hinting the axle could be "egg shaped" causing the issue but they didn't notice any movement and didn't bother to put a dial indicator on it. The LC is completely stock and doesn't look like it has ever been off pavement. I do have Spidertrax spacers and 200-series wheels on it.
Should I have them do the whole thing again - inner and outer seals, bearing, etc.?
Appreciate any advice and confirmation whether the "gear oil past inner seal is normal" is BS and/or a warning sign.
Thinking I'll ask them to do the whole assembly again, then if it leaks again take it to dealer and push for local indy to cover under "36K mile nationwide warranty"
March 2022 - Local independent shop where I have spent plenty of money over the years (10K+ but just got the LC a year ago) did the work - supposedly done by a 20-year experienced Toyota dealer tech. Photo below - outer and inner seals, bearing, etc., supposedly all Toyota parts but I didn't source parts.
July 2022 - leaking again, now at 220K miles (10K miles since initial repair). Shop handled under warranty but replaced only outer seal. I suggested they check breather also.
August 2022 - leaking again. Realized warranty work did outer seal only. Asked shop about whether inner seal could be the issue - I didn't think there should be gear oil past the inner seal? Shop said it's normal for gear oil to pass the inner seal. This is what sounds like BS to me. They are hinting the axle could be "egg shaped" causing the issue but they didn't notice any movement and didn't bother to put a dial indicator on it. The LC is completely stock and doesn't look like it has ever been off pavement. I do have Spidertrax spacers and 200-series wheels on it.
Should I have them do the whole thing again - inner and outer seals, bearing, etc.?
Appreciate any advice and confirmation whether the "gear oil past inner seal is normal" is BS and/or a warning sign.
Thinking I'll ask them to do the whole assembly again, then if it leaks again take it to dealer and push for local indy to cover under "36K mile nationwide warranty"