Smeddy2

I went to change out my rear differential oil the other day and notice it was leaking from my pinion seal. I attributed it to a completely clogged diff breather. When I unscrewed the breather it sounded like a big rig's air brakes.

My question refers to the transfer case though. I have a leak coming from the rear seal where the driveshaft enters the transfer case. Is there a breather on the transfer case that could be causing this leak as well? I need to figure it out because I think it is low on oil. When I'm driving and have it in gear going faster than 40mph, there is a faint whirring/whistling sound and it goes away when I push in the clutch or have it in neutral. It is also getting a little more difficult to shift. What do you guys think?

If it is the seal, what all do I need to get to replace? I read that there are a few different seals in that area and wasn't sure if it was one of those things where it is smart to replace it while you're in there.

89 4Runner 22RE 5spd 4x4

Armalite

I did a quick search and found this
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...r-case-224390/

hope it helps : )

Smeddy2

That sounds about like what I need to do. Hopefully that solves my problem! Do you think the whirring sound is anything to be alarmed over or do you think that is attributed the low gear oil like I thought?

Armalite

I don't think that seal being bad would make any noise but if you had low gear oil then there are plenty of parts in there that would make noise. No oil means no lubrication and that means metal on metal It could have damaged something.

Armalite

Drain what's left of the oil out and check for metal shavings. Good luck

Smeddy2

Well I drained all the oil and replaced the seal (the seal was a pain to find in stock anywhere). The oil looked like black death so i imagine it was original to the truck or at least REALLY old. There was a very small amount of metal on the magnet of the drain plug. It was kind of like metal dust, not shavings (that same dust type stuff was on the rear diff drain plug and transmission drain plug). The only thing I have left to change is the oil in the front diff. I still hear the whirring sound but it is so much easier to shift. I have no clue what it is. Its weird because it isn't a grinding or metallic sound like I have heard with bearings in the past...its almost a whistle.

OrRunner

iTrader: (1)

u joints maybe? are they greased up and or have you replaced them? I would think you would notice vibration before any whining but its worth a shot imo...

Smeddy2

They look original to the truck so that means there are about 180K miles on them. I haven't ever changed U-joints or really know much about how to tell if they are bad. I'll see if I can't look into it.

arsonl45

My transfer case was leaking and unfortunately it is cracked! Time to trade it in and let the dealer worry about it I guess...

Smeddy2

"u joints maybe? are they greased up and or have you replaced them? I would think you would notice vibration before any whining but its worth a shot imo..."

Found out one U-joint is toast. I'm going to replace both. The whirring was the pinion bearing...its toast as well. I found a set of front and rear diffs with 4.30's from a guy for $200 so hopefully that will be the end of it.

arson-you could always find a used transfer case for pretty cheap. Heck, even a rebuilt one is only a few hundred bucks....a lot cheaper than sales tax on a new car.

arsonl45

It is really just an excuse for me to purchase another superior Toyota product. I read an article a while back of US special forces driving a Tacoma almost 200 miles with no oil in the transfer case at all after it was hit by an IED. Got them back to base safe and sound. I am sure I could put another 10k miles on it in its current condition.