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Noticed some liquid dripping from under the rear axle and so I took a look and saw this.... Does it look like the brake cylinder is leaking? Or is this gear oil? I have no idea. It's only on passengers side.
Also, I noticed it doesn't seem to sag in the rear and I don't know what the rear suspension is supposed to look like. I'd like.to do the zuk mod but it seems like there are little blocks under the leaf springs. Was that how PO leveled the rear?
Like Wyoming says.
It is not difficult to remove the wheels and brake drum to inspect and be certain.
That block is a band-aid. If gives you better ground clearance than the saggy rear-end (common) but does not improve your ride. IF you want a smoother ride, restore ground clearance, but do NOT WANT to spend too much money, search Zuk Mod. I did mine for under $100.
if it is gear oil, you will need to replace the brake shoes, along with the bearing. heck, even if its brake fluid, those shoes need replacing, there's fluid covering the inner drum surface and components.
if it is gear oil, you will need to replace the brake shoes, along with the bearing. heck, even if its brake fluid, those shoes need replacing, there's fluid covering the inner drum surface and components.
So it's definitely gear oil. I ordered a new breather valve. I just got a stock style since I don't do any serious off reading and unless ˟˟˟˟˟ hits the fan there won't be any time a modified breather will come into play.
Part of the reason I thought it was the brakes is because I have to press pretty hard to stop, but it doesn't ever drop the pedal. It also pulls when I brake, but maybe that makes sense? If one of my brakes is essentially not working because it's covered in gear oil that could be why it pulls and also requires more force to stop?
So the other question I have is if the breather is plugged and it pushes past the seals are the seals ruined? Do I need to replace all the seals on the diff now too?
I was planning on pulling the drums apart anyway to redo them so I could service the diff as well
Like Wyoming says.
It is not difficult to remove the wheels and brake drum to inspect and be certain.
That block is a band-aid. If gives you better ground clearance than the saggy rear-end (common) but does not improve your ride. IF you want a smoother ride, restore ground clearance, but do NOT WANT to spend too much money, search Zuk Mod. I did mine for under $100.
So it's definitely gear oil. I ordered a new breather valve. I just got a stock style since I don't do any serious off reading and unless ˟˟˟˟˟ hits the fan there won't be any time a modified breather will come into play.
Part of the reason I thought it was the brakes is because I have to press pretty hard to stop, but it doesn't ever drop the pedal. It also pulls when I brake, but maybe that makes sense? If one of my brakes is essentially not working because it's covered in gear oil that could be why it pulls and also requires more force to stop?
So the other question I have is if the breather is plugged and it pushes past the seals are the seals ruined? Do I need to replace all the seals on the diff now too?
I was planning on pulling the drums apart anyway to redo them so I could service the diff as well
i'd replace the bearing/seal, especially if you can't confirm that the breather caused the leak in the first place. you only need to replace them on the side that failed.
your brake pull and extra effort needed are indicative of the contaminated brake shoes on that side. you should replace the shoes on both sides of the rear axle, and thoroughly clean the braking surface of the contaminated drum before reinstallation.
except for the shoes, right? you caught the bearing failure before it leaked?
Correct, Wallytoo, brakes are good. No leaks but I heard rhythmic hum on my return drive from Utah. (Our senses are the best troubleshooting tools.) No shaking, no vibration, and hum remains even after I had tires balanced and rotated. Brother-in-law who's a mech took it for a spin. He does not think it's drivetrain. I listened to tranny, transfer case, observed drive shaft, differential and hubs. Hubs sounded louder and bearings almost gritty. So I'm 99% sure it's the bearings. Odometer at 251,145 miles after Utah trip. not bad for rear wheel bearings?
Last edited by RAD4Runner; 06-03-2018 at 01:56 PM.
06-02-2018, 11:51 AM
