Rear axle seal leak (6 Viewers)

[xychromosome]

Good info. IIRC, for my situation, the shop confirmed that the bearing didn't require replacement and they did complain about having to replace the brake compoenents in order to get that seal off. It hasn't leaked since I got it fixed almost 30k miles ago, so I think they did a good job.

 

[goldilx]

IF the GX is like the LX 470 and 100 series, and IF the shop did the job properly (which I'd bet money they did not) it is legitimately an $800 job. The LX and 100 series is a semi-float axle without C-clips, same as a Tacoma. I'm pretty sure the GX uses the same set-up. It is held in the tube by bolts from the hub through the backing plate into the housing. To get to the seal, the rear brake caliper and parking brake have to be removed. The bell crank is disconnected, ABS sensor comes out and the rear brake line has to come off. Then the bolts holding the axle to the housing through the backing plate can be removed and the axle slid out. Usually the seal goes bad because the bearing is bad, in which case the axle sealing ring and bearing are pressed off the axle using a special press tool. The seal is replaced and the axle is fitted back up with a new sealing ring and bearing. Then the brakes go back on and then that corner needs to be bled. Here's a video that includes the use of a special press tool to remove the sealing ring and bearing.

Wow that seems very involved I guess I get the cost now. Thanks for brining me up to speed! Obviously I know it’s extremely hard to tell over a photo but how bad do you think this leak is (with mechanic comments):

 

[roadstr6]

Wow that seems very involved I guess I get the cost now. Thanks for brining me up to speed! Obviously I know it’s extremely hard to tell over a photo but how bad do you think this leak is (with mechanic comments):

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When you see actual drips, replace it. Dusty grime and weepiness is probably not an emergency. In all honesty, the leak has to get pretty bad to affect the disc brakes. It will compromise the parking drum brake before it gets to the actual disc rotor.

 

[goldilx]

When you see actual drips, replace it. Dusty grime and weepiness is probably not an emergency. In all honesty, the leak has to get pretty bad to affect the disc brakes. It will compromise the parking drum brake before it gets to the actual disc rotor.

Got it thank you so much. Honestly I’ve just seen dusty grime residue and even the mechanic said it’s not urgent but will eventually need to be addressed. I’ve never once seen actual oil dripping!

 

[xychromosome]

Got it thank you so much. Honestly I’ve just seen dusty grime residue and even the mechanic said it’s not urgent but will eventually need to be addressed. I’ve never once seen actual oil dripping!

Compared to how mine looked (in the original post), your looks fine, just keep an eye on it