Giosue

Morning Everyone!

I have a '00 4Runner with a leaking rear axle seal, passenger side. I'm looking for help from someone who's gone through this.

I keep hearing that if there is no bearing play, which I haven't felt any yet, then generally you can replace the inner seal, free up the diff breather and be all set.

Any advice, write ups or pics from anyone?

Thanks!

BajaRunner

Here's a writeup for the axle seal:
http://4runners.org/writeups/rearseal/index.htm

Its pretty simple. I've done it a few times now. Hardest part is seating the seal. You'll want to buy a seal driver or make your own to seat it correctly.

This is the one I made


Just get some washers that match the outside and inside diameters of the seal.

Giosue

Looks simple enough...we'll see how it actually goes.

Thanks for the detailed write up!

97ltd4x4

It's going to leak again if you only replace the seal.....Needs new bearing and resetting of retainer buishing or doubling up on buishing on axle,for proper sealing of the axle seal....Along with new shoes,ect

J-Ball

Sorry to bring up an old post, but what is the retainer bushing being reset or doubled up on as mentioned in the last post? I too was only going to replace the inner seal but have noticed play in the axel bearing.

Is there supposed to be play between the axel shaft and the axle plate?

I don't notice any vibes or anything while driving but this is the third time I've replaced these seals and the bearing seems loose to me. I need to check my records but I think I had this bearing replaced on the first oil seal change about 2.5 years ago.

Any help???

Ron Helmuth

bump-revival of this thread I found via sub forum search "rear axle bearings" .

Is it safe to say that any time the bearing is bad the oil seal should be done as well?

Or similarly- any time the oil seal goes bad the bearing might as well be replaced at same time?

I'm learning as I go-this is outside my mechanical abilities. But I like to understand all the variables involved and see if we can't clear it up as more folks experience this issue.

tony_4runner

Just went through this. Check my thread, https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/m...l-seal-232379/
Most people replace the bearings just to be sure. It is much easier/cheaper to do it all at once.

Ron Helmuth

thanks Tony-I had seen your thread last week but your updates and the info from fellow members in the past few days has added a lot of value.

Seems like a wise move to replace both the bearing and oil seals while doing any axle work-parts are cheaper than the labor and avoiding the need to open it all up again.

Appreciate the linkup to your thread. Now subscribed over there as well so I can refer my mechanic to all of it.