I have a problem with my driver's side axle seal. I replaced it about 4 months ago and it's leaking again, what causes a seal to leak? It is just the driver's side, also the bottom of the diff looks like it is leaking oil, there is no oil on my driveway but the bottom of the diff (about a quarter) looks wet with oil and both the drain and fill plugs are tight.



2000 TRD Prerunner 3.4 w/ lockinf rear diff.

 

Be sure to check your diff breather and make sure it isn't clogged. It's on the top of the diff.

 

diff breather forces oil out when the axle cannot vent properly......

that said, the side you replaced, were you very careful to do it properly? a lot of people figure hey i can do that, then they do it, and the same thing goes wrong later.... not because they are idiots, jsut sometiems big jobs require to actually pay someone to do it, or enlist the help from someone who has done it before with sucess....

 

heh, you must have ABS if it's already leaking again. It's a roll of the dice with those. I believe it has something to deal with the seal depth that makes those axle seals quite unreliable and the repairs even more unreliable. Just take it to the Toyota dealer and make them fix it over and over until you get a lucky draw and it doesn't leak. 1 year/unlimited mile warranty including labor on the seal if you buy it from Toyota. Just keep it away from me.

 

Is there any play in your wheel bearings?

 

You must also be careful when reinserting the axle so you dont nick the seal.

 

yea, im digging up an old thread, but for you guys that have done the rear axle seal on a 3rd gen. do you happen to know that part number i need ? and what they cost ? thankx so much