Rear axle leak

[slimbuddha]

Well, a couple weeks ago I smelled some burning gear oil, but didn't notice any obvious leaks, so I thought it was one of the neighbors vehicles, but it got me thinking I have been meaning to change the oil after the grind they went through on the 'con. So last Friday, I went ahead, and changed out the diffs, transfer case, and AT fluids. Well, Sunday night I went on a drive to the Salinas NM and after parking, the next morning, I noticed a bit of fluid in the spot where I was parked near the rear driver tire. Initially I thought a brake line had started dripping, but nope, it was gear oil, and it was all over the rotor, caliper, inner wheel, so yup, I busted a seal.

Now, I'm debating whether to take it to a shop to do, or if I will yank it and take it to a shop to press it, then reinstall.

Since you all like pics:

 

[marcfj60]

My experience doing this on my 60 (which also had a semi-float rear end) was that it was a bit involved. Because the rear diff on a 60 has a back cover, you don't have to remove the third member to get to the ring/clip that keeps the axle seated in the differential. You then remove that clip and slide that entire axle shaft out so that you can get to the axle seal just outboard of the bearing. Removing and installing the seal was no biggie. Removing and reinstalling the axle is the trouble. And with no rear cover to the differential, I'm assuming you'd have to remove the third member to access the retaining ring/clip for the axle.

 

[pappy]

Something is telling me the 100-series axle is a semi-float set up like the mini-trucks. If so, replacing the seal is no big deal. I think the backing plate is attached to the axle, and come off with 4 nuts. Slide it out, replace seal, slide it back in. OK, more to it because of brakes and stuff. But should not be rocket science.

 

[marcfj60]

Something is telling me the 100-series axle is a semi-float set up like the mini-trucks. If so, replacing the seal is no big deal. I think the backing plate is attached to the axle, and come off with 4 nuts. Slide it out, replace seal, slide it back in. OK, more to it because of brakes and stuff. But should not be rocket science.

That would be better than what I had to do for my 60.

 

[krazykat69]

Most likely a bad seal, but check your rear axle breather tube. If it is plugged or blocked and air cannot flow in and out of the axle housing, from driving, this can force gear oil out through your seals. Pull off the tube and check it with compressed air. Clean off the tire and drive it around . If it stops then the breather tube might have been the problem. If it still leaks , then seals are the problem Easy thing to check before tearing into the axle.

 

[slimbuddha]

Something is telling me the 100-series axle is a semi-float set up like the mini-trucks. If so, replacing the seal is no big deal. I think the backing plate is attached to the axle, and come off with 4 nuts. Slide it out, replace seal, slide it back in. OK, more to it because of brakes and stuff. But should not be rocket science.

Yes, it is semi-float, but I'd need a 20 ton press, and a special tool or grind off the old seals. Since I'll need to get that done at a shop, I'll have to probably leave it up on blocks for at least a week, and not sure if I have enough room in my garage to do the work in there.

Most likely a bad seal, but check your rear axle breather tube. If it is plugged or blocked and air cannot flow in and out of the axle housing, from driving, this can force gear oil out through your seals. Pull off the tube and check it with compressed air. Clean off the tire and drive it around . If it stops then the breather tube might have been the problem. If it still leaks , then seals are the problem Easy thing to check before tearing into the axle.

Once I found the leak, I parked it and haven't touched it. I've been going through the 100's forum and the manual. I'll pull the breather hose and verify that's not the cause of it, but based on some of the threads, it seems like it is about time to do them anyway.

 

[FJCTom]

If it is like the Tacoma rear axles, like pappy mentioned, just need to undo the brake lines and the 4 nuts at the axle housing ends and pull, no diff retainer clips like the Danas. I had a rear seal blow out on my old 2003 Taco looking similar to the pic you posted. Pulled the axles myself then took them down to the dealership and paid to have new seals and bearing pressed on. I fuzzily recollect that labor was ~$150/axle.

 

[slimbuddha]

I ordered new bearings, seals, etc for both sides from Onur, and decided to take it in to get done at Toyomasters.