In my group of friends four 4Runners without e-lockers have had the leaky axle seal problem and the other four of us with e-lockers have not experienced the problem yet. Coincidence?

If you have a factory rear e-locker, post here if you've had the rear axle seal problem.

 

So no one with an e-locker has lost their rear axle seals?

 

Are the e-locked rigs all automatics?

 

No, mine is a manual transmission with the factory locker.

 

Well, I'm figuring a stick is tougher on gears....on pinion bearing side loads and on the lower u-joint. If the uj gets slop in it the outer pinion bearing is not far behind and then the seal leaks. 200,000k miles will be an average for a pinion leak to show up.

 

Buying Toyota seals and proper seal depth seems to be key to no leaks.

 

My 96 manual non-locked 243,000 miles has had axle seal leaks on the right side twice. For Lars: Toyota seals only.
And my 99 manual w/e-locker 173,000 miles has not had leaks yet.

 

What conditions are the vent plugs on the axles? Any of them extended the vent point higher?

 

In my case the 96 (no locker) has an extended breather, the 99's (locker) is still in stock position. Both are ok, though the 96's did get gunked up and cleaned a while before the 2nd seal leak.

Are you thinking of the locker being another vent point and therefore allowing the e-locked versions to relive pressure somewhere other than the axle seal, or that people with e-lockers would more likely move the breather than the open diffed people?

 

That's exactly what I'm thinking. I just know that in my group of 4Runner friends only those without e-lockers have lost their axle seals.

 

To vote in the original question, my '99 went through several seals for one reason or another. It was not elocked. It was ARB'd which could be worse for leakage in the seals. However the seals aren't/weren't leaking. I think the elocker motor has a second vent... but I don't have one LOL.

Theory originally was that a locker would stress the seals more. Then again it could be less stress for unlocked folks who steer using the right pedal.

 

My 99 with factory locker lost its seals at 96k. Soaked rear brakes. Was super short on time so I had the dealer "deal" with it for me. Been about 4 months since I had it done. (Wifes cousin sold at dealership for 33 years..so I had a hook up.)

 

Interesting. You have the first e-locked Toyota I've heard of that lost its axle seals.

 

Toyota changed the part number for the rear axle shaft oil seal sometime in 2000. Toyota probably recognized that there was an inherent defect in the design of the oil seal

 

I am running a rear axle housing from a 92 4runner under my 86. I have a Spartan Auto Locker in the rear of my 'Runner. I went out on some trails a month or so ago and blew out the right seal in the rear. It soaked my right rear brake and inside of the tire. I replaced the seal and O-ring with one from Marlin Crawler. I also believe that my breather on my differential is clogged. I recently ordered new breathers for both differentials. I plan to extend them. I have not been back out to play since that happened.