calrockx

just noticed this tonight...






there's a couple drops right around under the drain plug, but it's not leaking there, seems to be coming from where the driveshaft meets the differential.

everything seems to work okay. the last work done in that area was regearing/rear locker install back in june. it's been fine till now...

AgRunner06

I hope you have a warranty.

Cebby

That oil doesn't look too healthy either. Check the level and keep it filled until you can get it pulled. AFAIK, to replace the pinion seal, the 3rd needs to be pulled, gears set up again, etc...

Tacoma Dude

Oh wow...
Hope it doesn't set you back too far...

calrockx

not what i want to hear guys.

i wonder what caused this. is it okay to drive for a while? i really don't have time to deal with it, and need transportation. i guess i could take it to the dealer and get a rental

Tacoma Dude

As long as you're okay on the fluid level I don't see how it could hurt you. May need to pop open the fill hole and add a touch of fluid now and again...

AgRunner06

Just keep the fluid level good and you should be fine for a while. That really sucks.

boogyman

have you determined that it's actually the seal that needs replacing? if so, that really sucks.. but i'd take it to a mechanic just to get it checked out.. you don't necessarily need to have it fixed right away if you can keep the fluid level up.


-Russell

calrockx

no, i'm not really even sure what's wrong. seems like it's a seal. but hey if it's under warranty from the regearing/locker shop, i shouldn't have to worry too much right.

yeah i may not have to get it fixed right away, but i just want this problem out of the way now.

bulldog-yota

CLean it up and top up the diff fluid, also check your front diff (I assume you regeared the front at the same time). Check it everyday, this way you will see if the leak is very slow or fast. You might have had a slow leak since day 1 in June. I would just take it back to the shop who did the work. You should be fine to drive like this for a while (at least till the leak drives you nuts)

Good luck, hope it is painless to get fixed.

calrockx

took it to fourXdoctor today. they said it's probably a rear pinion seal, plus there's a leak up front. nothing major, but something to take care of . i'm not happy this happened in the first place, but at least they were nice about dianosing the problem quickly. i'm scheduled to bring it back next week to get fixed. it's covered by the warranty. anything i can do to ensure this won't happen again?

rimpainter.com

I am a little confused as to what I am looking at...is it that brown looking stuff, or the "soaked" look I see?

shazaam

the brown is the dirt that was probably on there that is now wet. You probably had a poor seal when they reinstalled the third. If you just had your locker put in, I doubt the gear fluid is that brown.

make sure when they pull it this time, that they throughly clean off the remaining resides. and then reinstall making sure there is a good seal. good thing you caught it.

BeaterToyota

My guess is a very clogged breather on the top of the axle housing. Do you have an extended breather, or just the little factory one?

My breather valve got jammed up with mud, grease, oil, etc. and it no longer allowed air in or out. On a long highway trip (4+ hours) the gear oil heated up, and the oil and air in the axle housing expanded so much that the pressure blew my pinion seal.



I blew mine about 9 years ago and have never replaced it. I just check the fluid before I go wheeling and make sure that my extended breather hose is free from debris/crud/etc. I'm not saying this is the best way to handle the situation, but with about 100,000 miles on a blown pinion seal I haven't had any problems.

calrockx

good point sdastg.

you too beatertoyota. i have the factory breather, i've been meaning to do the extended breather, just haven't gotten around to it. i'll try to get to that next week now.

Robinhood150

You need a more descriptive title, I would have replied to this sooner. My diff has been leaking from the pinion seal for the past year or more. Never had to refill it, it leaks so slowly. Then, I bought a 3rd with locker gears and installed it and it started leaking too. This time it leaked much more, but even with the trip to pismo and about 700 miles it still was full.

Ended up taking it to a reputable gear shop and they replaced the pinion seal for $60. They didn't even have to remove the third, like I thought they would. I asked the guy how they do it and he said by feel.

They couldn't find any reason for the blown seal, but they said a clogged breather or a leaking ARB could do it. I've got a 1 year warrantee on it.