I have a 1991 Toyota Pickup 4WD (22RE Engine) with a W-56B Transmission.

I have 398,000 miles on the truck, just got the engine and transmission rebuilt 18 months ago.

Last week I noticed what appears to be a blackish oily substance with a glitter like appearance splatter behind my Clutch Fork and also across from it on the frame. I cleaned it off, and after some driving it came back again.

I have no oil leaks that I can see.

I checked the fluid levels, they are good.

The transmission makes no noise and shifting is good. It has 15,000 miles on it, rebuilt.

The engine runs great, 15,000 miles on my 3rd rebuild.

I have attached photos showing the issue.

Any ideas on what this could be and how it got there?

thanks.

 

I believe I found the problem. It appears that there is a leak in the Front Drive Shaft. See photo.

In the photo, the number 1 points to the area on the shaft that is leaking; the number 2 points to the splatter (grease/oil from shaft) onto the frame.

Could this be a bearing went out? I have 398,000 miles on this drive shaft (front and rear) and the rear differential. Never had any work done on these. Never had any problem until now.

What do you think could be the issue with the Front Drive Shaft?

 

It is normal for universal joints and driveline slip-yokes that are greased regularly to throw some grease onto the underside of the machine.

Metallic glitter, not so much.

Give the shaft and joints careful examination, shaking and shoving everything to determine what play there might be, and where.

Likely that a u-joint is failing. Less likely the slip-joint, but possible.