Hey Guys.. I'm new to this site as well as being a new wrench so bare with me please. I noticed a puddle under my truck by the rear right tire last week. I pulled the wheel and drum off and it looks like there's gear oil all inside (as well as around the inside of the wheel. I suspect the oils seal is bad. You agree?

If so, do these steps look right to replace it.

1. Jack car and remove right wheel and drum.
2. Not sure if I need to drain the rear-end completely or not?
3. Disconnect the parking brake mechanism.
4. Disconnect the brake line going to the wheel cylinder.
5. Disconnect ABS? I haven't done this before, any gotchas?
6. Remove 4 bolts holding backing plate on.
7. Pull backing plate and axle out.
8. Remove bad seal?
9. Is there an O ring there that I should also replace?
10. Oil inside of new seal
11. Install new seal (and oring)
12. Reinstall everything.
13. Refill differential if drained?
13 Bleed brakes.

Couple of other quick questions
1. Truck has 103K miles and I haven't changed anything other than the battery and the muffler. Should I check the wheel bearing while I'm in there?
2. I believe I read that there's a specific part number to look for the replacement oil seal, true?

Thanks for the help guys.

 

Oh... one other thing. The brake shoes still have a ton of meat on them but given that they've been soaked in oil now is it best to just go ahead and replace them?

Thanks

Pat

 

you can try to wash it off with brake cleaner or buy new one

 

That is about it. This IS the perfect time to change your rear diff oil.

If you search this topic, you will find all this and more with pictures...

 

You might also check with a Toyota dealer, have them pull up the parts required by the VIN. Some of the earlier 3rd gen 4Runners had an issue (no recall that I know of) where the fix is replacing the axle shafts, bearings, seals, etc. to fix the leak. Just replacing the factory seal was a bandaid, it would start leaking shortly.

 

Replacing rear axle seals:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f128...4runner-76339/

You will also WANT to do the diff breather mod as well to prevent future problems with axle seals. Link here:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...html#Breathers

 

Thanks Guys.. for some reason I wasn't getting the email notifications about the responses to this thread. I'll touch base with the dealer and look into that breather mod.

Appreciate the help guys!!

Pat

 

If you search around the net you will see lots of argument about weather or not you need to do your brakes. When brake linings are soaked in oil it changes their coefficient of friction. It is not possible to clean out all the oil so it is best to just change the shoes. Besides they are cheap.

 

I had leaking axels and the problem was a cloged diff breather. I chose to replace the diff breather and wipe off, and reuse the shoes. I've had no problems. My main point is to change the diff breather, changing the shoes is a good idea but these trucks stop using the front brakes for the most part.