Guys,

I need your opinon and advice. I was getting my rear shoes replaced and when they took off the drums, they noticed some gear oil. Apparently my rear drive axle seals need to be replaced. They quoted 200-300.

I told them to hold off.

Now, I guess my first question is how bad is it to drive around with a leaky seal? Im not sure how long its been happening. But how much longer can I go?

What is the cause of a drive axle leak? Too much oil in Diff?

What are some consiquences of a leaky seal?

Main reason I told them to hold off is because I like stuff like that done at the dealer. How much should this cost?? I dont think this is a task I want to take on, as I dont have time or tools to do it. Please advise.

 

I think the biggest risk is brake performance deterioration/failure and creating a mess in the drum. There are a couple threads about this problem, try a search and see what you find. Jim mentioned in one of the threads that he did his seal(s) for something like $20 in parts (off the top of my head) and like 40 minutes of labor.

But, if you have to have it done at the dealer, I guess $200 - 300 is normal considering Stealer labor rates.

 

Covered under the 60K powertrain warranty or any extended warranty, if you have any left. Not a hard job to do from what I hear, parts aren't expensive, just a messy job.

Good luck!

 

70k on the rig.

 

brake pad may stick to the drum; and on snowfloor will not break free causing you to drive your 4wd down the street sideways.

Try replacing the inner seal (no hydraulic press req'd). The seal is a few dollars and the o ring is a few cents. The seal may require a seal puller (a few dollars at the autoparts store). Use a large socket to pound in the new seal.

Turnaround time is an hour or so depending on how much beer is consumed during the work.

 

You too huh? A while back I noticed the traces of a small amount of fluid on one of the read drums while washing the wheel. I wrongly assumed that it was brake fluid from a leaking wheel cylinder. I took the drum off the other day while rotating my tires and found that it was actually a leaking axle seal. The whole area inside my drum was saturated with diff oil, including the brake shoes.

I'm wondering now if the fuel filter I used on the end of my extended diff line is one way, on backwards, and preventing the diff from venting pressure? Perhsps it's just dirty/clogged? Gotts find the cause before simply doing a replacement...........

 

geez sound like i need to get it fixed up soon

 

You will want to read this whole thread. I just fixed this last week. Cost me $15. If you dealer does it, they are going to replace both sets or brake shoes in the rear and this could end up costing you a small fortune.

Rear axel seal is leaking... 3rd gen 4runner

..............................

 

this is a prime example of how dealerships make more money off service than off the sale of the vehicle. Try to do it yourself if possible, put the money you save towards a factory service manual which will have great diagrams and how-to's on every part of the truck.

 

wow........thanks for all the info Jason. Huge help.

 

Jason,

Question for you. When you did this, did your or did you have to take out the rear shoes? Or did you take the whole backplate and drum assembly out together?