I had an issue of leaking brake fluid lately. Hunched that it was comming fromt he back.

Today, I pulled off the rear wheel, started tryingt o pull the drum off. 2 hours later, drum still not off.

Well, the drum was soaked in a mysterious fluid. Not sure what it is. However, after fondling the brake drum, my hand smells like it did after I changed allt he gear lube over.

So now Im really confused. What is the most likely thing to go out at 50k (exactly), Wheel Cylinders or diff seals?

 

You said it smelled like gear oil? If you have not put in a differential breather and from the posts about you here you may have a clogged breather. If so then yes you've blown an axle seal and it's a PITA to take off even with every shop equipment at your disposal.

 

Did you try threading a bolt into the release holes??

 

yea. the bolts went all the way in (about an inch), but no-go. as soon as I backed the bolts off the drum started sliding back in.

 

Try backing the shoes all the way off via the starwheel access. to back them off you will need to push the release in as well. Once they are backed off the drums are easier to pull off. Your drums are probable groved and that is why the drums are not comming off.

Matt

 

good luck with the axle seals. if i recall from other posts, not only is a pita to do yourself, but it is mad expensive to have done too. diff breather mod: $30, axle seal...priceless.

 

Wait, so basically Toyota designed the rear diff so that unless u do a mod that only abotu 1% of Toyota Owners know, you'll blow the axle seal?

Wonder if this would be covered under warranty. 50,000 miles (exactly), and 5 years, 3 months (oh ÅÅÅÅ, its exactly 5 years and 3 months today)

 

No....

You will only blow your axle seals if you clog the diff breather in mud. Toyota didn't think people would take there stock 4runners in deep water.

 

exactly. toyota puts the breather on top of the diff to allow it to release the built up pressure from the fluid getting hot. the average owner will never submerge the diff in water, hence the diff breather would never get clogged. the reason people who take them off road do the breather mod is to prevent the damage you have apparently inherited. get the breather up and out of the water, and who cares how deep you go into the water...unless you take it in intake. this is the reason a simple mod like this is listed on almost every toyota forum you can find. IT WORKS!

 

Here's the kicker.... Toyota has all of these "off road packages" TRD stuff and they don't think to raise the diff. breather. On GM trucks/SUVs it's standard to have an extended breather front AND rear, also I have even seen where GM has put a T-type hose and connected it to the front differential vent and run the hose up to the fan shroud. I've never understood the way some car manufaturers do things sometimes.

 

Hmm...I have to take the Taco to the dealer tomorrow....shall I dare ask the price on replacing BOTH axle seals? Should I have them do the wheel cylinders and shoes while theyre at it, or do it myself?

 

Well if both are blown then replace both, but if not just replace that one side and might as well let them do the wheel cylinder and shoes since they pretty much are going to have to replace the shoes. If you know it's the seal then why worry about the wheel cylinders or do you know for sure they are leakign too?

 

Yea, I have fluid on both sides.

And, well, I had to have lost brake fluid somewhere. Nothing else seems to be leaking. I mean, its a $15 part, so I might as well have it replaced.

 

don't forget to order the breather and union plugs while at the dealer

 

I have so much stuff to order fromt he dealer its not even funny.

Like: 98 Supra FSM, 2JZ-GTE Shortblock, 2JZ-GE Head, 1GR Oil Filters, 2JZ Oil Filters, a bunch of random other stuff. And I might as well order the union plug and breather too.

 

In that case just go ahead and have them do everything since it would save you the trouble and the techs would be in the same area anyways.

 

Gangus...FWIW I had BOTH of my rear axle seals and BOTH of my rear shoes replaced at Big-O tires for LESS THAN $200. I'm sure the stealer wants mucho dinero.

 

We dont have a Big-O around.

hmm...wonder if Mineke or Jiffy Lube would do this kind of work...

 

You guys have Firestone's there right?
Just about anyone is going to be cheaper than the dealer.

 

I dont think that stuff will bolt up to your 4runner...