hello,

the rear differential on my truck has a leak around the gasket and i was told that the carrier needed to be replaced...any advice if i want to do it myself? tools?
thanks

 

Pulling the third itself is a basic job with basic tools. If you don't know what you're doing you'll want to take it into a driveline shop to have the carrier inspected though.

 

This should help
http://www.gearinstalls.com/index1.htm

 

So basically somebody told you the carrier needed replaced without removing and thoroughly inspecting it. Why? Because it's leaking?


To replace the gasket/seal you'll need to remove the axle shafts w/brake backing plates, then pull the the 3rd member. You might also need this: http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...onandaxle.html

 

i just brought it in for a general inspection and told them about the leaky differential and that is what they said...it's leaking around the gasket..quite a bit.

 

Things always get kinda funny in translation, but if they really told you the carrier was bad without even looking at it, I'd be taking my business elsewhere. There's no way for them to know that without putting eyeballs on it.

Other than the leaky gasket, what else is it doing? Grinding, seizing, making funny noises, anything?

 

just leaking alot...only the gasket needs to be replaced...that is what my quote says at least...the guy who showed me what was wrong said differently...i agree that you wouldn't know the condition of it unless you took it off.
i just brought the truck in for an inspection so i can get a better idea of what is wrong and what i can do myself.
the other leak that it has is from the power steering gear box...they said that needs to be replaced..it was leaking quite a bit...
would it be okay to still drive it with these problems?

 

Um, define "ok". If your only problems are leaks, and you keep the fluids full and don't mind dripping all over the place, you can probably drive the truck without harming it further. I wouldn't, though. Park the truck until you can fix it.

 

"okay" meaning it won't be too detrimental to drive it but i would rather not, like you said until i fix it.
is replacing the power steering gear box something that could be done on your own? i have never worked on issues like this before...ive only done basic repairs and maintenance with past vehicles but want to be able to do more...i realized that with an older truck there will be some repairs needed and want to learn as much as i can about them and why they need repairs and if i can do them with a service manual and info i find online

 

With a good set of tools, a Factory Service Manual, and maybe a Haynes or Chiltons for backup, you can do almost anything on your truck yourself. You've also got a wealth of info on this board you can tap once you've done your basic research, dudes here know a lot.

I've never replaced my PS, so I don't know about that in particular, but I'm guessing it shouldn't be beyond the ability of a guy who knows a wrench from a screwdriver. Look it up in the FSM, google "22re power steering replacement" and variations, come back if you have questions. Good on you for being willing to do it yourself. That's what I've been doing since I've owned my Yota, and I've learned a lot from getting my hands dirty and asking questions here on Yotatech. Good luck!

 

thank you! i will definitely be asking more questions!

 

when replacing the seal...is it better to buy one of those kits? i saw it online when i was looking for parts

 

Just use rtv.

 

what is rtv?

 

You dont need high temp. Black works well

 

i was reading and watching videos on removing the pinion seal and it says that i need an extractor tool...would any hardware store have that or is it specialized?
thanks

 

Check out my DIY link in my signature. It's maybe not the same diff as yours but give you the idea (this was my first time doing it and I managed fine, as a noob. No leaks since!!

Save the money and do it yourself.

 

Ok...so where is it leaking out of. Where the 3rd goes into the axle or where the driveshaft goes into the third. RTV wont work on the pinion. The old pinion seal can be pried out with a screw driver.

 

How-to and the puller I used:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...eal/index.html



The ultra-gray RTV or the Toyota orange FIPG are the best options for sealing the 3rd member flange. I like them better than the paper gasket that I find starts to wick oil after many years. I apply the RTV then let it skim over for like 30 minutes before installing the 3rd. Then lightly snug up the nuts for an hour or so then tighten them down fully. This way you don't squeeze out all the wet RTV before it cures.

 

The RTV is a good choice, the gasket is a dealer only part, at least for my 95 Runner it was. Gasket is a little cheaper, but, the RTV is readily available at parts stores. Just make sure you don't get globs of it in the gears when you are putting it on, and let it sit to dry/set like overnight just to be safe. I dropped a little dob of it on the top of the third member and poked it the next morning to make sure it was dry. It doesn't take too long to set I don't think.......