Make sure you check the breathers on your diff!

Despite numerous postings on the topic, and knowledge of what a clogged diff breather can do, I didnt check mine on my "new" 88 4runner and have gear oil all over my drum, wheel and tire. I just hope its only the inner seal, though I am guessing its both.

At least this is an opportunity to put on an extended breather.

 

I bet thats why my rear pinion seal was leaking (fixed) and why the front seals are leaking on both sides of the shaft housings. Stupid PO didnt do hardly ANY maintenance

 

That's one of the most important things we check on our PM's.Saves a lot of work on those big nasty trucks if you keep those things open

 

Ended up freeing up the existing breather and that seems to have temporarily stopped the axle seal leak - going to add the extended breather, and then keep an eye for any new gear oil.

 

You should pull the brake drum and clean the gear oil off of the brake surface and also check the brake shoes.