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'86 4runner underbody oil leak

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Old May 12, 2012 | 08:25 PM
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'86 4runner underbody oil leak

Hello guys,

I have an '86 4runner with A/C. There is an oil leak under the cab right behind the cut out for the shifters. It's the dark spot the seems to spread the entire width of the cab. I cannot figure out what is is. Please help. I would like to remedy this before I put the tranny back.

Thanks

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Old May 12, 2012 | 09:09 PM
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From: Ski town Colorado
It could be anywhere or a combination of things. I would definitely replace the rear main seal while the tranny is out.
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Old May 13, 2012 | 03:08 AM
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Stuff Thrown Out By Centrifugal Force from U-Joint

Originally Posted by Luvmeye22re
It could be anywhere or a combination of things. I would definitely replace the rear main seal while the tranny is out.
I have a similar problem. Yes, looks like a combination of things. This is an accumulation from decades of driving so I don't think it's from a gross leak. Probably something that the drive shaft flings around.
  • It is inline with the U-joint so it could be excess grease.
  • I also see a little droplet (oil, not grease) in area covered it could also be from leak around transfer case oil seal (but I do not see evidence of leak there), OR
  • Droplets of oil leaking from engine creep toward the rear when we drive at high speed. When they reach the rotating drive shaft centrifugal force throws them out. Note that the U-joint is the least smooth part of the drive shaft, hence most likely to throw things out.

Since you have the tranny out you might as well make sure oil seals and gaskets are in good shape. Please post observation after re-installing tranny.
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Old May 13, 2012 | 10:42 AM
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From: Acapulco, Gro. Mexico.
I would say it's the grease coming out from the grease zerks of the shaft, that's normal.
As long as you don't overfill them...
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Old May 14, 2012 | 11:35 AM
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From: texas
if the truck is 4x4 there is a nut that holds the rear tranny yoke,if the rear seal is bad it will drip but even with new seal ive see them leak from the threads,make sure the nut is properly installed with a loctite thread sealer and thats all you need.you will see the oil dripping when the drive shaft is removed.
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Old May 20, 2012 | 09:06 AM
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Thanks guys. Turns out the nut that holds the flange to the output shaft was very loose. Loose enough to be turned by hand.There was leakage coming from the threads. Got a new seal at Toyota and torque it to spec.

Ironically, I just finished putting the motor and tranny in this week and go the car running. The some crazy lady decides to smash into the park cars in front of my home. The runner was caught in my middle but my brother's Celica got the worst of it.


Last edited by kaotic451; May 20, 2012 at 09:07 AM.
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Old Jun 2, 2012 | 03:51 AM
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Originally Posted by kaotic451
Turns out the nut that holds the flange to the output shaft was very loose. Loose enough to be turned by hand.There was leakage coming from the threads. Got a new seal at Toyota and torque it to spec.
Ironically, I just finished putting the motor and tranny in this week and go the car running. The some crazy lady decides to smash into the park cars in front of my home.
Ouch! Good to know problem's fixed.
BTW, nice rear-end (Not sagging). Ho did you fix it? Zuk, or replacement leaf springs?
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Old Jun 2, 2012 | 04:53 AM
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From: Garner,NC
Originally Posted by RAD4Runner
Ouch! Good to know problem's fixed.
BTW, nice rear-end (Not sagging). Ho did you fix it? Zuk, or replacement leaf springs?
Some crazy lady provided the lift, with the nose of her car....lol
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Old Jun 2, 2012 | 05:42 AM
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From: PNW
was she drunk and did she buy your brother a new celica yet?
oh and i was gonna say your grease/oil was classic output flange leak symptoms but you got that
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Old Jun 2, 2012 | 06:12 AM
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From: Garner,NC
x2 on Drop's post
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Old Jun 2, 2012 | 04:59 PM
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From: Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada.
Can anyone tell me how to fix a sloppy rear tcase output shaft? It's been leaking oil for years very minorly and has been developing more and more slop. Now it's throwing the drive-shaft out on the highway. Piss me off cuz I was planning a road trip in it in a few weeks and would love to fix it. HELP!!!
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Old Jun 2, 2012 | 05:07 PM
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From: Lake Havasu, AZ
BTW, OP.... since you have the trans out, replace the input shaft seal as well... It's CAKE, and it's a HUGE "OMGOSH I'M TICKED OFF" moment if you button it all up, drive around the block after installing the new motor/trans/you KWImean, lol... and then OOOOOOOOOOOOOZE' ALL OVER THE JUST CLEANED up flywheel and brand new clutch! lol. I got the seal and gasket at the dealer for 23$... OH< btw, the previous owner had been in there and .... PUT IT IN BACKWARDS... Even like that, it didn't leak for 154k miles! lol.

I have every gasket and seal for my T-case(did the front and rear already) and trans, OEM.... But waiting til my WFIFTYFREAKINSIX trans takes it's final 'GRRRRRRRTTTTTZZZZZZZZ' into 4th before I do it all! lol.

Mine shoots a lil from the zerks when I lube it up... But now, I try to JUST fill it and then wipe away any excess before taking off down the road... It winds up on the exhaust at times, too, ... freaked me out, lol. "Hey, WTH? IT'S SMOKING!" lol.

Last edited by ChefYota4x4; Jun 2, 2012 at 07:34 PM.
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Old Jun 2, 2012 | 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Lycanistic
Some crazy lady provided the lift, with the nose of her car....lol
x2
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