I was looking under my car today to see how difficult it would be to put in some new bushings in the steering rack, and I saw a bunch of oil around the t-case (I think that's what its called?) I'm new to 4wd's, so bear with me.

This is what it looked like before (about 2-3 weeks ago):



Now, this is what it looks like.





Here is the close up of the seeping oil:



I had a bit of trouble a couple of weeks ago with the 4wd system. When I pressed the 4wd button, it would not engage. A couple days later, it worked with no problems. The only time I had it in 4wd was in my driveway and I took it around in 4wd for approx. 10 miles like the manual says. Did I damage this in someway, and if so, how would I go about fixing it? I was going to search, but I'm at a loss to even know what to search for.

Thanks for any inputs.

 

I had the same problem with mine a couple years ago, the outer seals on teh transfer case had to be replaced. Mine was still under warranty, but I don't think it was a major job.

Link my original post...

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/help-leaking-oil-need-know-what-leaking-pics-35615/

 

Yep, output shaft seal on the transfer case. $10 or so at Toyota and about 2 hours wrench time for the beginner. Must have a decent set of tools and a bit of experience/creativity to get the flange to stay put when you are torquing off the nut that holds the flange in (SST).

My dealer wanted $100 - $120 to do the job. I did it for $12 or something.

Check out this thread.

 

Thanks, guys. So ~$10 for the seal, and won't I need to buy fluid also? I might just have someone else do it, unless it's fairly simple.

Is there a write up? I tried the search, but I'm not seeing it.

 

You'll need to buy gear lube, as the fluid will come out when you crack the companion flange (what the drive shaft attaches to) off.

IMO, the hardest part is getting the large staked nut unstaked and off. Get a nice punch, a big 1/2" drive breaker bar, and a 1/2" drive 30mm socket.

 

I had a similair leak on my 98. I found out when I went to replace the fluid. There was very little there.

I changed the output shaft seal to find out that it wasn't the problem. Since I had all the seals replaced. Why don't you take it to a dealer to diagnose for you. What do you have to lose?

You don't have to have the work done there and that way you would be sure of the problem. He can give you a repair price and a 12 month warranty if they do the work.

It will be around $450-$500 to replace the 5 seals and bust apart and re - FIPG the case halves.

Good Luck - Mike

 

Thanks, Mike. I will take it in to the dealership. I didn't know Toyota warrantied their work for 12 months.

 

Other folks covered the basics, but there is one other, easy-to-fix cause of that. See if the oil is coming from the top of the t-case, where the shifter goes into it. There is a thin paper gasket there. If it is oozing from there, 9 times out of 10 it's because the t-case is overfilled with lube. Park the truck on a level spot and crack open the fill plug. If any wants to ooze (or pour) out, let it. Then replace the fill plug, clean up the oil, drive around, and watch it for a while.

Also, you shouldn't be using 4WD on pavement (wasn't clear if you did this or not) unless the manual says you *can*. The driveline will bind, and all sorts of things can break (u-joints, gear teeth, axles, etc.)

Good luck.

 

Just because I'm a noob-ert. The red arrow is pointing to the fill plug, right?



Thanks for the insight. I will check that out.

 

Yes, it is.

 

Having issues with 4wd is a sign that you're low on T-case oil. When you drain the fluid it will look burnt.