Ok just bought a 2001 4runner with 75XXX miles. I took it her up to the mountain for the first snow adventure of the year. My first stop for gas was about an hour up the pass and as I was pumping gas I noticed a horrible smell of burning coming from the passenger rear fenderwell area. I checked the heat on the breaks and the tires and both were cool to touch. Also checked the other fenderwells and they smelled fine. I thought maybe the Traction control was burning up my breaks but they were hardly even warmed up. So now I am thinking we that this horrible smell has to be diff gear oil.

I did a good amount of searching and it sounds like this could be a common problem for the 3rd gens. It is still under warranty so I have an appointment next week to have it checked out. Would 75XXX miles be about the right milage for the seals to start giving out or is this a fluke that might become habitual?

Any help is appreciated.

-Me-

 

check inside your wheel... from under the vehicle, and see if there is a ring of oil... if so then it could be a rear axle seal, bad, and leaking oil into/onto rear brakes.

 

if its the psgr side rear wheels im sure is the axle seal common wear and tear item on the 3rd gens.

 

is psgr more common? that is the side that went bad on mine so far, but is it that much more frequent?

 

Thanks for all the replies. Hopefully this will be covered under the warranty.

 

Only way to know for sure (in your case) is to pop the drum off and have a look. Make sure the diff breather is clear on the top of the diff (operates freely). If it's rusted or clogged it could have forced fluid past the seal on the passenger side. Let us know what they find and be sure to double-check their assessment (or just pull the drum first so you know before going in there).

 

Burning brakes and burning diff fluid have a very different smell.
In that............you'll never forget either of them!
Take note for next time once you find the problem.
Kenny >S

 

That s why this one is so weird, It smells more like a combination of burnt gear oil mixed with a hint of burning tire, with just a splash of smiking brakes. It is just delicious

-Me-