I will admit I know nothing about turning a wrench but I do want to learn. this doohickey under my truck is leakin' in the rear and something else around the steering wheel pole ha towards the raditor. I would like some advice on how to fix it. i have used the search features on this site when i knew what the part was called like wheel or windshield but this has me stumped. so if this has been covered before i apologize. also i guess this is a good opportunity to introduce myself... im matt I love my 4runner i love everything about it i love how the exhaust fumes put my 4 year old to sleep when he is riding in the back seat and how I always find a piece of my seat stuck to my clothes. I just want to learn how to work on this thing correctly. when i bought this thing i also went and got a tool set but so far all i pretty much do is check the oil and stare at the engine wipe some greese on my face and go inside look on this site go outside tighten a bolt and act like it made a difference. teach me please what are these leaks? I was laying on my back when I took these pictures.

 

sorry this is the front leak

 

Uh...I don't even know what to say right now.

 

Im not so sure what to think either

 

If I REALLY thought this guy wsas serious I would answer but..........at this point I'm just glad he only has the one child..........

 

Hmmm...the "leak" appears to be the same color as the gunk in his avatar. Suspicious, I say.

 

No I was kidding around about the exhaust and my child. I just noticed the leak the day I posted this. I really do want to learn how to work on this rig I love it.

 

I unscrewed the bolt on that axle to see How much of that oil I had lost and I'm not sure of how much is supposed to be in there but it started leak out that hole so I tightened it back up. Yea I did take my runner muddin a few weeks ago and my avitar shows what the out come of that was. I don't even want to think About what all damage I did that day sinking it but it still runs exactly the same as before minus I'm pretty sure the exhaust is shot now. The leak in the back is thicker than Motor oil and the leak in the front is like a clear oil. I thought it might be leaking antifreeze up front because there is some little tube that comes out of the over flow and points down towards where the leak in the front of truck is but it has a different smell then my antifreeze.

 

First download the FSM from here.
The first leak appears to be the pinion seal and the second looks like the steering gear box. You should be able to find write-ups on both.

 

Here's one of the best write-ups I've found on the steering gear box. I'll be doing this myself this weekend and it doesn't look like much fun. And here's one for the pinion seal.

 

Thanks Nate

 

Are these two things something someone with no experience working in a car/truck could do?

 

Your pinion seal leak might be remedied simply by unclogging the breather valve located on the top of the differential. Mine was clogged and caused the same massive leak as the pressure in the differential grew owing to heat. Unscrew the valve and blow through it to clear any debris.

 

I didn't even know there was a vent on that thing thank you. It would also make sense because it was stuck in the mud. Thanks for the tip!

 

That's good advice about the breather vent. I would also drain and refill the differential. If mud clogged the breather, then it probably got into the diff as well and contaminated your gear oil.

Also, what type of fluid do you generally use in the power steering system? Toyota calls for automatic transmission fluid to be used. Power steering fluid can damage the seals and cause leaks. Maybe try draining the fluid, if you've used p/s fluid, and refill with atf to see if that fixes your problem. Didn't work for me, but I've heard that it has worked for others.

 

I just cleaned out the vent it was covered in dirt. Nate, I havent put anything besides oil on my truck yet. I'm going to change out the fluid in both parts tomorrow afternoon. I will say this about the power steering.. I did notice that when I'm am stopped and turn the wheel it tries to stall on me. Could the leak have anything to do with this? Also the power steering fluid is full. That's why that is so confusing to me. Is it dangerous to drive it in this condition? It's going to be warm tomorrow so I took the top off ha

 

Most people, by default, use power steering fluid in the power steering system, imagine that . So its likely that the P/O did this. I would start by cleaning everything up, then watching it to pinpoint where the leak is coming from, who knows, it could just be a hose (easy fix). For the stalling issue, you should have a valve on top of the power steering pump with 2 vacuum lines that run to the intake manifold, these help to balance pressure when turning, make sure that both hoses are in good shape and have a good seal. I'm pretty sure that Scuba had a recent post about this issue.

Found it, different engine and part numbers but the same concept: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/b...-valve-246778/

 

Cool thanks guys I will get to this stuff and let ya know how it goes.

 

You really should find a friend with good wrench turning skills, MP! That oil pinion seal may well need replacing...it's not hard, but tricky to get RIGHT, and you have to measure preload on the bearing inside, etc. $6 seal, 1/2 day job, with experience! And a special tool made easily at home to hold the flange while turning the nut (read up on posts related to oil pinion seal....) We did mine in about that much time.

As stated, just keep an eye on the PS unit for fluid, check hoses, etc....clean it up GOOD, then drive for a few and look for leaks. It is insane trying to find a leak without a clean surface for it to fall on....could be a few diff. problems, but in time you'll locate it! Maybe get some freshly leaked stuff on white paper to see what color it really is.....

Good luck, let us know what's up....

 

Mike you are right on the money I do need a friend to help me I had to drive the 4runner yesturday about 300 miles which is the longest trip I have had in it and well I thought I had two leaks it's more like ten its a oil bloodbath under my truck some countries would go to war over the oil on my driveway. I am going to get started now cleaning so I can figure out where these leaks started. It looks like the vent cleaning trick didnt work out for me i don't know if I can do a pinion seal myself I don't want to mess it up. Anyone live in the Memphis area haha! Oh and Nate I did notice my transmission fluid is red and whatever is in my power steering is clear. I have a lot to do!