What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

98 tacoma 4wd leaking oil out of front diff right where the cv axle enters the diff - I'm replacing the axle/diff seal tonight, on the drivers side do i push that seal all the way in or just until its flush with the diff surface?

i plan on installing it the same way the original one im removing was, but in case it gets mangled while pulling the cv out i'd like to know what its the proper depth to install the seal

 

I am faced with the very same leak

 

haha yes that is the one. I will also be cleaning the diff breather/vent and cleaning the area around where the axle enters the diff but i've already ordered the seals to be safe, i hate leaks

 

I had that leak a couple months ago. Passenger side you only install the seal until it is flush with the opening. Driver side I believe you push it in all the way. Don't quote me, I only had the passenger side leak.

 

Guess I was wrong then... Haha

 

Is it a relatively quick and easy fix?

 

It's not too bad longest part is unbolting the spindle and lca to access the cv. Try to make sure whatever side your doing is raised a lot more then the opposite side, it'll help with oil loss haha

 

Thanks

 

Quick question not worthy of its own thread:

Does anyone know where the in-cab intake is for the HVAC system? Eg: if you have it set to recirculation where does the system pull the air from in the cab.

Thanks

 

Yeah truck is black. Looks different in pics, especially shitty cell phone pics like the one I posted. It's got a metallic finish to it so maybe that throws it off. IDK

 

Im not completely sure but i believe its under the glove box, pass footwell area

 

It is on the upper part of the HVAC box that houses the blower motor. Removing the glove box will allow you to see the entry point

 

Just remember to have a pry bar or something to pop the cv axle out with as just pulling in it won't work haha also make sure you pop it back in all the way. Only thing I didn't have was the socket for the axle nut

 

So after my tune up the difference is quite noticeable, didn't realize it was running so poorly before as I just got used to it.
Things completed:

Cleaned MAF sensor and throttle body butterfly
Rotella 5w/40 Oil change with OEM dealer filter (Rotella oil)
Front diff fluid 75w/90 replaced (Valvoline)
Transfercase, transmission fluid 75w/90 replaced
Rear diff fluid 75w/140 replaced (Valvoline)
Denso OEM dealer spark plugs replaced (non iridium)
Denso OEM grade upstream O2 sensor (

$170 Denso 234-9003 Air Fuel Ratio Sensor

Denso 234-9003 Air Fuel Ratio Sensor) replaced
Denso OEM grade downstream O2 sensor (

$61 Denso 234-4189 Oxygen Sensor

Denso 234-4189 Oxygen Sensor) replaced

 

Don't forget the fuel filter ...

 

That was done 25k miles ago and honestly last longer than most people realize.

 

How long do you wait to do it? I Change it when I buy the vehicle.... I usually don't own it long enough to have to change it again.

 

every 90-100k is normal.

I have 202k and have changed it at 110k and 176k

 

I gained what seems to be 2-3 mpg freeway and a lot of my 5th gear power back
the slow speed 1-3 gear take off seems smoother and a little snappier too.