I have gear oil coming out from my back hub? (a very small amount...it showed itself when wheeling...now it seems to have stopped or maybe a slower trickle)

I took off the drum and gave the hub some twists....bearing SEEMs ok...no excess play...

BAD SEAL?

 

most likely a bad axle seal... check your breather to make sure its functioning correctly..... if it doesnt get worse and the level is ok, just forget about it, but monitor it... sometimes seals leak once and never leak again... however if it becomes worse and you are sure its diff fluid, then a seal replacement is liekly to bei n your future

 

Mine did the same thing:leaked when wheeling, and not on the road. Most likely from the axle articulating and dumping fluid down the side with the leaky seal. The seals are cheap and pretty easy to change, just make sure you have something the same diameter as the seal to push it back in. I got a seal driver kit from harbor freight that worked good for less than $10.

 

excellent points - i HAVE (and failed to mention) that I've been getting a drone/whiring from that same wheel - which makes me think the bearing may not be too far off. Replacing that requires a press, correct?

also, to get to the seal, I must remove all brake part as well as disconnect them? or? Do you plug the brake line to keep the fluid from leaking?

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Sometimes RWBs can be replaced w/o a press:

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/mainte...wheel_bearing/

But often you can find a shop to supply the bearing and install it for not much more than the cost of the bearing if you bring them the shafts. May as well do both sides while you are at it.

 

there is an inner and outer axle seal on the 3rd gen rear axle. the inner seal I believe requires a press and new lock collar

 

I think its the outer that requires a press.

 

problem solved.....

replaced both rear wheel bearings + seals.

 

That works most of the time.