Well, I've been active for some time on both the 80 and 100 forums, but this is my first post on the 120 forum. That being said, I performed a search, but I didn't find what I needed.
My wife's GX has been virtually flawless for the last 90,000+ miles, but I just noticed that it has recently developed a gear oil leak from the transfer drive actuator (TDA) on the side of the transfer case. After a brief search online, it appears this leak is starting to become a common problem as the GX's get a little age on them (or, as the case may be, AFTER they exceed both the 7 year and 70,000 mile drivetrain warranty).
From past experience, I have found that MUD is usually THE authority when it comes to all-things-mechanical on the Toyota Land Cruiser and its variants. Therefore, that's why I wanted to bring this discussion to a place that is known as much for its mechanical aptitude as it is for its knowledge of the operation of the vehicles.
Accordingly, I thought it might be beneficial for all of us GX owners to start compiling information about this repair, as the general consensus from other online sources on what it takes to repair this leak varies widely. Some say the solution for this leak amounts to the removal and resealing of the TDA (a photo of which is the first photo below), while others say it requires the REMOVAL and resealing of the WHOLE TRANSFER CASE!..........It's hard for me to believe that a small leak of this nature would require a complete removal of the t-case, so that's one of the main reasons I'm starting this thread.
First, a post on another forum stated that the TDA could be removed and repaired in the following fashion (his writing was fairly cryptic, and I had to read it several times to understand exactly what he was saying - I don't think English is his primary language - so I have made an attempt to clear it up as I understood what he was trying to say. In the places I wasn't exactly sure, I left his words as written):
Here is what happened to me. Sewell advised to change the complete actuator which had the leak around the t/case. Ok, from what I see, the TDA has a leak. It leaked everywhere I parked. Now, it is not a serious issue at all. Ok here it what you need to do:
1. First before jacking up the car, ensure the height control switch is turned off.
2. Jack your car up.
3. To the actuator, you have the lead harness going into it. Disconnect the one on the body of the transmission connecting to the harness.
4. Do not at any given time disconnect battery terminals (if done, the ecm stores a message that the TDA is defective. And to erase this message you will have to go to Lexus and do it from the obd).
5. Remove the TDA by remove the 4 bolts in the front and then 2 bolts connecting the trans.
6. You will have a spillage of bit oil from the actuator, not to worry.
7. Get the actuator on the workbench and open it you will see an oil seal within the TDA that is damaged. Try to find a new seal (he later identifies this seal as P/N - 90301- 56009. O Ring) , replace it, and ensure proper application of gasket silicon is applied. Better to buy the ones Toyota sells. Good stuff.
8. Fit the same way backwards.
9. Top up the WS trans oil.
10.Connect the harness connector to the trans and the actuator.
11. Start you car, raise the RPM to 3000 for 2-3 mts. Shift your Transmission gear from P - D - 1-2 ( all of it) Shut down your engine.
12. Again Top up your WS trans oil.
13. Lower your car from jacks.
14. Now set the height control switch to on ( ride control)
15. Good to go.
The other "option" is a Toyota TSIB that indicates a total R&R of the t-case! (also posted below).....although it's not totally clear to me that the TSIB is referring to the exact problem at hand.
Bottom line is: this is, apparently becoming a common problem. I don't know about you, but I'd much rather pull a component and repair it, rather than having to remove the whole effin t-case.........
Any of you have any knowledge of this problem/solution? Likewise, have I completely missed existing threads on this issue on this forum?.............if this is the first discussion of it here, I'll continue to look into it........if any of you have any knowledge of it / can gather information, please let us know. Thanks, David
My wife's GX has been virtually flawless for the last 90,000+ miles, but I just noticed that it has recently developed a gear oil leak from the transfer drive actuator (TDA) on the side of the transfer case. After a brief search online, it appears this leak is starting to become a common problem as the GX's get a little age on them (or, as the case may be, AFTER they exceed both the 7 year and 70,000 mile drivetrain warranty).
From past experience, I have found that MUD is usually THE authority when it comes to all-things-mechanical on the Toyota Land Cruiser and its variants. Therefore, that's why I wanted to bring this discussion to a place that is known as much for its mechanical aptitude as it is for its knowledge of the operation of the vehicles.
Accordingly, I thought it might be beneficial for all of us GX owners to start compiling information about this repair, as the general consensus from other online sources on what it takes to repair this leak varies widely. Some say the solution for this leak amounts to the removal and resealing of the TDA (a photo of which is the first photo below), while others say it requires the REMOVAL and resealing of the WHOLE TRANSFER CASE!..........It's hard for me to believe that a small leak of this nature would require a complete removal of the t-case, so that's one of the main reasons I'm starting this thread.
First, a post on another forum stated that the TDA could be removed and repaired in the following fashion (his writing was fairly cryptic, and I had to read it several times to understand exactly what he was saying - I don't think English is his primary language - so I have made an attempt to clear it up as I understood what he was trying to say. In the places I wasn't exactly sure, I left his words as written):
Here is what happened to me. Sewell advised to change the complete actuator which had the leak around the t/case. Ok, from what I see, the TDA has a leak. It leaked everywhere I parked. Now, it is not a serious issue at all. Ok here it what you need to do:
1. First before jacking up the car, ensure the height control switch is turned off.
2. Jack your car up.
3. To the actuator, you have the lead harness going into it. Disconnect the one on the body of the transmission connecting to the harness.
4. Do not at any given time disconnect battery terminals (if done, the ecm stores a message that the TDA is defective. And to erase this message you will have to go to Lexus and do it from the obd).
5. Remove the TDA by remove the 4 bolts in the front and then 2 bolts connecting the trans.
6. You will have a spillage of bit oil from the actuator, not to worry.
7. Get the actuator on the workbench and open it you will see an oil seal within the TDA that is damaged. Try to find a new seal (he later identifies this seal as P/N - 90301- 56009. O Ring) , replace it, and ensure proper application of gasket silicon is applied. Better to buy the ones Toyota sells. Good stuff.
8. Fit the same way backwards.
9. Top up the WS trans oil.
10.Connect the harness connector to the trans and the actuator.
11. Start you car, raise the RPM to 3000 for 2-3 mts. Shift your Transmission gear from P - D - 1-2 ( all of it) Shut down your engine.
12. Again Top up your WS trans oil.
13. Lower your car from jacks.
14. Now set the height control switch to on ( ride control)
15. Good to go.
The other "option" is a Toyota TSIB that indicates a total R&R of the t-case! (also posted below).....although it's not totally clear to me that the TSIB is referring to the exact problem at hand.
Bottom line is: this is, apparently becoming a common problem. I don't know about you, but I'd much rather pull a component and repair it, rather than having to remove the whole effin t-case.........
Any of you have any knowledge of this problem/solution? Likewise, have I completely missed existing threads on this issue on this forum?.............if this is the first discussion of it here, I'll continue to look into it........if any of you have any knowledge of it / can gather information, please let us know. Thanks, David
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