Rear axle seal leaking again after replacement (6 Viewers)

[Sardis]

Hey guys, my rear axle seal was leaking on my 2015 4runner SR5, so I replaced it a few weeks ago. Fast forward 300 miles, and it is leaking again. What could I have done wrong?

-I replaced it with OEM
-cleaned the mating surfaces
-lubricated with gear oil
-didn't leave any debris from the old seal in it
-made sure the seal wasn't warped on install
-tried to place the new seal at the same depth in the axle housing as the old seal but maybe placed it 1-2mm too deep?

I don't think the bearing was bad so I didn't try to replace that. I didn't feel play in the axle assembly. There was not grinding or rough rotation in it. It rotated freely but not loose and continuous like a dry bearing. There are not symptoms of a bad bearing while driving. That side of the axle housing/assembly does not get hot after it is driven like you may expect for a failed bearing.

 

[TurbodreamZ]

if you did the seals correctly and nothing is scored or damaged but your seal is leaking again, it could be that your differential breather is clogged and doesn’t let the air in the differential expand and contract. If the pressure gets too high, you could blow the seal again

 

[bj70bc]

^^ ding ding ding
we have a winner
this is not uncommon

 

[Sardis]

I did pull the breather too while I was down there and it was free flowing...