Those seals can be tricky. Even after doing 50 plus of them I will still get one come back leaking. That’s even with the factory seal installer tool. Best advice I can give is to use a little grease on the spring so it doesn’t pop out when installing it, make sure it’s a OE seal and a lot of patience!
Tips for Installing new CV Axle Seal (I keep bombing)
- Thread starter LRDV8R
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- driveshaft installing seal tips
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Might want to run it in to a trustworthy dealer or local indy Toyota shop. It's (in theory) a small and accessible enough job that they can look at it an hopefully find what's wrong quickly. There is no shame with throwing in the towel on a small problem on a pretty extensive build like you have. Or.....honestly...put some silicone on the outer edge of the seal (assuming it's at the seal-to-diff and not the inner-seal-to-CV). That's not a "proper" fix but a half-assed one I would have no qualms doing on my rig.
If you do sell I call dibs on those lockers and that sweet Dana 60
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If you do sell I call dibs on those lockers and that sweet Dana 60
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- #25
Yeah I am calling it. Called a guy at the dealer and left a message ( referred to by a friend).Might want to run it in to a trustworthy dealer or local indy Toyota shop. It's (in theory) a small and accessible enough job that they can look at it an hopefully find what's wrong quickly. There is no shame with throwing in the towel on a small problem on a pretty extensive build like you have. Or.....honestly...put some silicone on the outer edge of the seal (assuming it's at the seal-to-diff and not the inner-seal-to-CV). That's not a "proper" fix but a half-assed one I would have no qualms doing on my rig.
If you do sell I call dibs on those lockers and that sweet Dana 60
What's really going to scramble your brain is that I did apply a gasket sealer this time ( specifically for differentials) and it still failed.
I'm starting to think it's something with the bearing in the diff tube, or something causing the axle to not be centered relative to the seal
If course I could be so bad at this install that I'm causing the issue, but I've done plenty press seals and never had this kind of issue.
If I sell it I'll let you know. Right now I'm just whining and saying things I don't mean, but you already knew that
Do you have a dial indicator on a magnetic base? You can see how out of round the bearing surface is while rotating the wheel/axle. Also see if there is any play when you grab the axle and move it up/down and fwd/rear.
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- #27
I do not but I can buy one. Are you suggesting measuring the actual bearing or the axle surface?
I did check both axles for play when I was under the rig last time and there was a tiny bit of play on both sides, but I could not tell if both were the same or if the passenger was worse. The driver side certainly did not feel worse.
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- #29
well i brought to a local shop that is known around here for suspension work on these rigs. The owner and I talked for a few minutes. I walked him through what I've done and he doesn't think it's user error. Said he's seen this same situation once before on a tundra and he ended up replacing the tube and it fixed it. Said he couldn't find any obvious issue with it, but the issue was resolved.
I'm looking at doing this given my rig has about 280k on the clock. However, it appears i have to buy the tube and all the parts individually and put it together ( I haven't seen a sub-assembly I can buy from toyota). I haven't been able to find the process for doing this, so any suggestions would be helpful.
Also one other thing I want to run by the group....
My differential was regeared and locked by ECGS. They recommend a 85w-140 which is vastly different from the stock fluid. Would this cause leak issues? Note that I'm not having leaks anywhere else, but I figured I'd note this.
I'm looking at doing this given my rig has about 280k on the clock. However, it appears i have to buy the tube and all the parts individually and put it together ( I haven't seen a sub-assembly I can buy from toyota). I haven't been able to find the process for doing this, so any suggestions would be helpful.
Also one other thing I want to run by the group....
My differential was regeared and locked by ECGS. They recommend a 85w-140 which is vastly different from the stock fluid. Would this cause leak issues? Note that I'm not having leaks anywhere else, but I figured I'd note this.
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- #30
well after doing some more digging on this topic, I've decided to buy a brand new OEM axle to replace the reman that I purchased from toyota. I have read multiple accounts of this exact issue and the solution being a new OEM axle. Stay tuned!
Those dust shields are replaceable
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- #33
I was just wondering this yesterday
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- #34
So I tried looking up part numbers for these and can only find the part for the inner axle joint. Do you know if the side going into the knuckle can be replaced? that's where most of my damage is.
I check partsouq and couldn’t find it in the diagram, I know the inner shields are available. Surprising the outer isn’t since it holds a seal…
TBH if the seal is not damaged I'd just bend it back with a set of needle-nose pliers and re-install.
Or....file a USPS claim. I know that set you farther back; if it works after bending and installing you might be able to just pocket the cash. I've had good luck with UPS claims (whey they dropped a $900 exhaust system and bent it, they paid) but have not files a USPS claim before.
Or....file a USPS claim. I know that set you farther back; if it works after bending and installing you might be able to just pocket the cash. I've had good luck with UPS claims (whey they dropped a $900 exhaust system and bent it, they paid) but have not files a USPS claim before.
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- #37
interestingly enough the dealer i bought it from already had an insurance policy attached. filed a claim and already got refunded. I'm going to take your advise red and just get it going and roll with it. I'm moving in a few days and gotta get this big girl up and moving.
One thing I want to note is that I have not one time greased the INNER lip of the seal. For whatever reason I misread the instructions and now I'm wondering if that is the source of my issue. I will be sure to grease per the FSM this time.
One thing I want to note is that I have not one time greased the INNER lip of the seal. For whatever reason I misread the instructions and now I'm wondering if that is the source of my issue. I will be sure to grease per the FSM this time.
I feel your pain... I struggled with a CV axle seal on my GX 470 for over a year, trying different things. Here is what finally worked for me:
The final solution was to use 80W90 instead of 75W90. If you read the Service Manual for the 05 GX 470 it says to use 75W90 for the transfer case and 80W90 for the front and rear diffs. When I had the leak, I was using 75W90 and after I switched to 80W90, with everything else the same, the leak is gone. Some other things I did that were also important: seat the seal using the Wit's End tool, clean up the inside of the seal mating surface with a brass brush (lots of corrosion on mine), goop up the spring inside the seal with thick grease before inserting the seal so it doesn't pop off when you put the axle in.
The final solution was to use 80W90 instead of 75W90. If you read the Service Manual for the 05 GX 470 it says to use 75W90 for the transfer case and 80W90 for the front and rear diffs. When I had the leak, I was using 75W90 and after I switched to 80W90, with everything else the same, the leak is gone. Some other things I did that were also important: seat the seal using the Wit's End tool, clean up the inside of the seal mating surface with a brass brush (lots of corrosion on mine), goop up the spring inside the seal with thick grease before inserting the seal so it doesn't pop off when you put the axle in.
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- #39
I am going to try changing fluids.... Just installed a new seal and axle. I'll let you guys guess what the outcome was.
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- #40
500+ miles since diff oil change(with about 6 hours off roading). My reaction after getting under the rig today:
Only change was going to the OEM spec'd diff oil weight. No other changes made. Not a single drop. This is the longest it has gone without leaking since reinstalling the new diff.
Will continue to watch it, but I'm cautiously optimistic at this stage.
Only change was going to the OEM spec'd diff oil weight. No other changes made. Not a single drop. This is the longest it has gone without leaking since reinstalling the new diff.
Will continue to watch it, but I'm cautiously optimistic at this stage.
