Slow leak near drivers side wheel

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talibraza101

talibraza101

Joined
Jul 16, 2025
Threads
7
Messages
50
Location
MD, USA
Good afternoon, as indicated in the photos attached, I seem to have a slow leak of fluid from the drivers side wheel area. Could someone enlighten me on what this leak is exactly? It is a very slow seepage that seems to only occur after the truck has been sitting for a few days.

Thank you!
IMG_2353.webp
 
The axle seal is likely leaking into the knuckle housing. Rebuilding the knuckles is a required service item. Cruiser Outfitters and Cruisermatt along with other vendors sell rebuild kits. Take a deep dive searching. it's a dirty job but not overly difficult.
 
pb4ugo said:
The axle seal is likely leaking into the knuckle housing. Rebuilding the knuckles is a required service item. Cruiser Outfitters and Cruisermatt along with other vendors sell rebuild kits. Take a deep dive searching. it's a dirty job but not overly difficult.
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Thank you. My seller states he recently restored this rig. Do you happen to think the small amount of seepage on both the left and right sides is just some initial weeping? Or am i due for a rebuild? Thank you again!

Both sides weeping equally-ish (driver side worse, but both doing it)
• Stable amount for months — not getting worse
• Truck drives fine — no play, no noise, steering is solid
• Only 3-4 drops in three days on the worst side

IMG_2356.webp
 
talibraza101 said:
Thank you. My seller states he recently restored this rig. Do you happen to think the small amount of seepage on both the left and right sides is just some initial weeping? Or am i due for a rebuild? Thank you again!

Both sides weeping equally-ish (driver side worse, but both doing it)
• Stable amount for months — not getting worse
• Truck drives fine — no play, no noise, steering is solid
• Only 3-4 drops in three days on the worst side

View attachment 4122741
Click to expand...
The felt wipers are gone / shagged out. This is not a recent rebuild.

Edit: from the one pic they look that way. Fluid is getting past the seal while driving, then leaking out while sitting.
 
@talibraza101 , This was done 2 or 3 yrs ago and has over 6000 miles on it.
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That's the kit I used. I added Marlin axle seals too, but I think they are on backorder. I wonder what the wheel bearings look like. You might want to consider borrowing a centering tool too. Do you have FSM?
 
Reviews are good. I think I used like 6 full tubes of grease to pack the knuckles. I didn't need new wheel bearings. My PO put on warn hubs @60,000 - I think that's why the groves were cut in the flats, axle engaged for 60,000 miles. Do a proper job with the safety wire. Use a torque wrench on those bolts - they snap off easily.

Land Cruiser Factory Service Manuals (FSMs)

Factory service manuals (FSMs) for your Toyota Land Cruiser ! From the 1950s to the present!
www.cruisercult.com www.cruisercult.com
 
pb4ugo said:
That's the kit I used. I added Marlin axle seals too, but I think they are on backorder. I wonder what the wheel bearings look like. You might want to consider borrowing a centering tool too. Do you have FSM?
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I have the factory service manual. Is that what you are referring to? Apologies
 
talibraza101 said:
How do we feel about this product for my knuckle rebuild?
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Yes. That's what I used. Get wheel bearings too. The centering tool is a good idea, I borrowed one...



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talibraza101 said:
Thank you. Do you recommend this wheel bearing kit?
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That or the Timken, whichever is available. They're both good. I like to call Cruiser Outfitters on the telephone to order stuff. When you order a knuckle kit they will ask if you need the wheel bearings and which ones you want. I have never needed wheel bearings but I always replace them
 
I didnt replace mine, but I knew they were good. I repacked them about 2 years prior.
 
I seriously cannot thank you all enough for your help. I have ordered the parts you all suggested. Excited but really nervous to start my first real project with this truck. I will keep you all posted when I take delivery; this is daunting but I know I can get the job done with yalls help.

Thank you.
 
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charliemeyer007 said:
Good gloves (box) and big pack of paper towels. Bag the greasy stuff as you clean. Break clean to wash parts. Waterless hand cleaner is useful for your arms above the gloves
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Thanks, I’ll be sure to stock up on those. I’m thinking I just following along the disassembly process in the Haynes repair manual, and simply replace every seal/component I remove with its newer replacement provided in the rebuild kit. Any other tutorials you recommend? Thank you!
 
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