Leaking front diff, drivers side.

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So I am lifted about 1.5" (Radflo coilovers and Camburg UCA's). I have be lifted for 6 months with new 265 75 16 BFG's AT Ko's, about 3 weeks ago I put the stock sport Dunlop’s back on for a upcoming trip out east.
When I changed my tires back to stock I started to notice a growl coming from the front end.
At first I thought it was just my normal drive shaft vibe (Dakar’s in rear).
But today I check and my front diff is wet with oil and lots of play in driver side axle.
Five Questions:
1:Whats the problem?
2: Is the normally covered under the 60000mile/ 100000Km warranty if it wasn't lifted?
3: how much for me to pay Toyota to do?
4:Can I do this myself?
5: Is there any offroad friendly Toyota dealers in Ontario Canada?

Thanks in advance.
Thanks Mike

 

Even if lifted?
To save some bucks I could re-install my old stock coilovers, and then just pay for the alignment afterwards.

 

i posted in your other thread but chris is right, its covered under warranty

 

Tomorrow I will check the level after I figure out how, then top up with diff oil??( type quantity). Till I can get it in to Toyota.
I will do some reading/ seaching tonight to figure this all out.
I love learning how to do new stuff!!

 

The seal itself is a very cheap fix. Don't bother swapping everything out then paying for an alignment yourself - you'll likely pay just as much or more than replacing just the seal.

If for some reason Toyota gives you grief and won't repair, do it yourself or take to an independant shop. Shouldn't be much more than 1-1.5 hrs for a compentent mechanic to swap it out.

 

ok i had this same thing just happen to me 2 weeks ago

it is covered by the 60,000 mile warrenty
no q's asked....
and i am lifted as well
good luck

 

oh and as for the play in the driver side cv ...it has more play then the pass side this is normal

 

Update Sept 21 2010.
So I got under the truck to check level of diff, it was fine. I bought a new suck gun for this and once I opened up the fill plug fluid started coming out, and then the new suck gun tube was too big to fit in the hole. So 75 90 all over me and the driveway, finally put some in and closed it up.

Today I got into Toyota, They confirmed the diff axle seal (or whatever it’s called) on the driver’s side was leaking. But that Toyota Canada would not cover this (edit: they have to call head office but said they were 99% sure it’s not covered) as I have a lift, I was pissed! They did tell me my Transfer case was gone and they would replace under warranty . Now I had no problems with my transfer case so I am not sure if they were trying to throw me a bone for not covering the seal.
I am not sure if I will get Toyota to replace the seal when I am in for the Transfer case or do it myself, I wish there was a "how to" tread on this (Chris 4x4?) or if I will leave it for a while and replace when it gets worse.
Do you think it’s a good idea to get the diff drop now?

 

i can pull up a guide but im on school computers, pm me if noone helps

 

this has occurred to me twice... toyota fixed it under warranty... but they said its due to the previous 3" lift I had. They fixed the first under warranty without question, they fixed the second because they didn't associate the busted seal with the lift during the first fix

but who knows... everyone on TW says the lift didn't cause this. I think there is a manufacturing defect in some tacomas with this and that a lift potentially exaggerates it.

 

So I just got off the phone with Toyota Canada, and they said they won't cover the diff seal. I told some snooty lady I wanted to speak to a Tech that knows about trucks for a second opinion. The lady from Toyota told me that it’s up to the dealer to provide Toyota Canada with their recommendation on coverage. I told her I could go to another dealer and she said that Toyota has my VIN now and knows it’s lifted so they would deny further claims. I said what happened to it’s up to the dealer. I am a little mad right now, and this dealership will not get my money for repairs. I will do it myself later.
Rant over

 

Update again.
Toyota Canada told me to F$#$#-off today. They replaced my Transfer case but this fixed nothing. I knew it was the diff but they said it was not covered so they replaced my Transfer case for nothing. Toyota Canada will not do much of anything if you have a lift. I only have 2" of lift in the front.
So when I got home I jacked the truck up and spun fronts wheels and can hear a click in the diff where the Diff side bearing would be.
My driver side axle seal is leaking and I think the Diff bearing is going.
What do you think?
I tried to tell the dealer that it was the diff but they did not believe me or didn't care because it had been lifted, they told me there was no noise from the diff even after I told them to try to spin the front wheels while up on a hoist. Well I am really pissed now and looking for options.

 

Well not many options here, you going have to take the front diff apart. you can replace seal only but by the time you get to it you may as well open the diff up.
Or find good lawyer

 

This just happened to me so I can tell you first hand like 2 weeks ago. That is the seal you have pictured the CV shaft will actually pull out of that side on the diff housing. Make sure you do not get low on fluid cause if you do you can wear the carrier bearings and you have to replace the carrier all together b/c they dont sell just bearings, and the bearings come pressed in already to the dealership, it will have new spider gears as well though. You can drain the housing and clean the area and you may be able to install a new seal with out having to remove the entire housing from the truck. Then you can put what you took loose back together and insert the CV shaft, re seat it and you should be good to go, but make sure you get the right seal from the dealership as there are two different sizes up there. Mine is an 08 as well so this makes me think the drivers side front diff issues are not just on my Taco. All in all it was not too bad of a job, but we did not re setup the gears and all we just swapped the ring gear to the new carrier checked the pattern and it was all good. Hope that you get this figured. JOE>

 

Thanks guys
Joe
I got a new seal today and plan on replacing it this weekend, I fear when I remove the axle I will find the bearing is shot and then I am screwed.

 

Here are the master install kit for Tacoma front
http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-133418-toyota-ifs-8-0-clamshell-master-install-kit.html
It comes with bearings and spacers, you would have to just find somebody to install for you onto the carer. Or look for front IFS used

 

Going to replace Diff seal tomorrow. I hope when I open it up I don't find the Diff bearing shot. If the bearing is destroyed what are my options?