My '86 Ex-cab 4x4 has developed a problem. It has been roaring very loud and after a 150 mile run to work, it is leaking out the driver's side wheel. It is with out a doubt rear end oil. I have felt for hot spots and both hubs are equally cool but the pumpkin is HOT.

I put the truck on a lift and put a stethoscope on the rear end but could not find it while in the air, but roars on the ground. Any idea's before I just start tearing into it?

 

Well, first of all, have you checked the oil level? Running on low oil will destroy your bearings. If Your wheel seals were leaking, most likely ran it out of oil. I had leaking seals but always checked the level; my diffs are original with 307,xxx miles. Your seals prob went out because of worn wheel bearings, so u might need to replace those as well.

 

Well the roaring has been going on and oil leak just started. But it is not just a little leak, it dumped a lot in a week in the parking lot of motel in south Arkansas. And yeah it was full of oil while making noise.

Does the outer sealed wheel bearing run in oil or is the oil sealed in the pumpkin? This will answer a lot for me.

 

I am having trouble pulling axles and I don't have a slide hammer, any tricks?

 

The wheel bearings are sealed units lubricated by grease. oil is sealed off to just the pumkin. It shouldnt be too hard to pull the axle shaft its just 4 nuts, parking brake cable & brake line. A small bump of the hammer and they should pull out.
Look at my build for reference, i did the job not too long ago. But if your diff is roaring you might wanna take a look at it aswell.

 

Well that settles it, I am an idiot. After looking at some of your pictures, and thanks by the way, I got it figured out now. And the idiot part comes from not looking back over my book. When I seen that you pulled the axle with the brake assembly, I gave myself a smack to the forehead, reopened my book and called myself an idiot because there it is, right there in step 7, " the axleshaft, complete with the brake assembly, can now be pulled out from the rear axle." I hope I am not the only one that has ever made silly mistakes like this.

I have said it before and will say it again, you guys (Yotafolks) ROCK!!!!

 

Well both wheel bearings are out but was very pleased to find ZERO wear in the diff. Zero roughness, zero drag, zero slack (except for the gear slack, which is very little), I can't find any wear at all and yes I am very pleased about that. I may regret it but I am not going to rebuild the diff just the wheel bearings, seals and give it a good flushing.

 

Go for it, maybe thats all that was wrong with it. Fingers crossed for ya! Did you take note of the play in the wheel bearings? Stand the axle up, grab the backing plate, & wiggle it up and down.

Oh yeah, we ROCK!!!! Toyota FTW!!!

 

besure to check the pinion etc for excessive play...

 

Well it sounds good on the highway and I don't see any leaks but time will tell. Thanks guys!!!! I will be back, a timing issue is next on my list.

 

Put about 150 miles on it today and did great and so far we a leak free!!! Very pleased!!!!

 

If it leaks again, the seal installation may be off by a few mm. At least that is what the stealership told me may have caused my repeated leaks when the parts were installed by my shadetree mechanic. It took mine a month or two to start leaking after the first replacement of the wheel bearing seals. 3 additional sets later, and I have been leak free for 2.5 years. Let the wood knocking commence.

So, you should keep a check on the seals for a few months to ensure they are seated properly.