Dealers wont sell me a rear axle seal WTF!

So my driver's side axle seal started leaking about a week ago. I had changed the wheel bearing over a month ago, inspected the old inner axle seal and it looked in great condition, so I didnt bother to order that part to change it.
Called up Sunnyvale Toyota and they ordered my seal #9031058003 and O-Ring 90301-83002 on Monday. Tuesday, called to see if it came in and they told me this:
"Cant order you the seal or O-ring because of the Turd Gen axle seal recall. They are prioritizing the seals for the recalls. You would have to bring in the truck for a service in order for the service manager to release the seal to you." paraphrasing.... but anyhow..
So I called about 3 other dealers and pretty much got the same story. Milpitas did a little bit more though, and they told me I would have to ask the service manager to wright a note to Toyota to request release of the parts for me, which would take about 3 or more weeks.
WTF!!!

Anyone have an extra seal I can buy off them in the area?
I did call Toy Connection and they said they would check, but havent got back to me yet.
I also ordered one from Amazon, but it could take a few more days.
It's my dd, so the sooner I do the seal job, the less likely I'll have oil past the bearing to the recently replaced brake shoes.
Oh, and I have a TW camping trip coming up in 2 weeks, and thats the most important reason to get this fixed ASAP!!

 

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr....H0.X9031058003.TRS5&_nkw=9031058003&_sacat=0

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_od....H0.X9030183002.TRS1&_nkw=9030183002&_sacat=0

 

thanks @nd4spdbh ! I ordered from ebay and one from Amazon. Hope they get here quick!

 

Many years ago, we wouldn't even think about going to the dealer for a wheel bearing or seal. We would just go to the local parts store and they would pull them off the shelf. Now days with DIYers shopping for the absolute cheapest price, everything is made in China and you're lucky if the part functions right out of the box.

It burns my ass when I go into a parts store, and tell them, "I want the best quality one you have", and they reply back with, "We have one for $17. If you want the better quality part, that'll be $21 and we'll have to order it."

 

My parts store is more like, "we have three replacement options. The cheapest is $3, the next best is $9, factory is $129 and I can have it in 2-3 days."

 

I forgot to mention I called O'Reillys too. They told me they get those from factory, and dont have aftermarket ones. They also said they couldnt order them either. Probably because of the recall....
I also called some local repair shops that specialize in toyotas, so far no luck.

What frustrates me is how can Toyota stop supporting the customer whose truck does not fall under the recall and deny them the repair part and then, the dealership manipulate them into their service dept to have them do the work in order to get the part?

I am leery of what I will receive from eBay or Amazon as well for the reasons Muddinfun stated. I always prefer genuine toyota parts, and it sucks we have to go through the dealer. SMH.

 

both links above had multiple listings for OEM toyota parts.

Also have you tried hitting up @gunny1005 through camelback toyota to see if you can get the parts. Hes where i get the cheapest OEM toyota parts.

 

Try partznet.com

 

Just curious, but what does the dealer usually charge to replace one of these seals? My driver side has a slow drip.

 

I didnt ask them, but probably upwards of $200 I bet. I know they do the bearing for $700 with parts, and I think they sell the bearing for $300+, even though you can get them for $170 online, and they are the Koyo brand like Toyota uses.

 

That sounds about right. I put a seal on one awhile back at work and I think it paid right around 1.5-2 hours to put it on.

That's why they're called Stealerships. I work at a Ford dealer, and see some parts marked up nearly 100%

 

I bought my truck at a Subaru dealer, and supposedly they replaced it, but there's always just a drip on the bottom of the drum. It's never enough to make a puddle on the floor or coat the inside of the wheel, but just enough for me to wipe off the drum with my finger.

 

I have an extra o-ring if anything happens with your current orders (such as a cancellation).

 

If its not brake fluid, then its from the diff and the inner seal is failing. The only other remote possibility is the bearing grease "melting" and leaking through the bearing seals. Those are the only fluids possible in that area. It's not that hard of a job on the inner axle seal either. The bearing on the other hand requires a special tool and a press.

 

Awesome! Hopefully it wont come to that and thank you!

 

You're welcome. I ended up with three of them after going through the exact same experience you're having. I ordered them from everywhere!

Here is my thread related to the repairs I had done, including the seal:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/need-advice-on-2000-worth-of-repairs.501729/

 

Have you checked your differential breather? My 97 had the rear passenger seal fail. Checked the oem diff breather and it was clogged with so much shit. Did the diff breather mod along with seals and bearings. When I bought my current truck first thing I did to it was the diff breather mod.

 

The original seemed fine although I did replace it with a Dorman just in case.

 

Rockauto has lots of these rear axle seals. I keep a handful on hand with all the mileage I have on my truck. The seal itself is easy to replace, takes more time and cussing removing and putting back all the drum brake parts to get to the seal.

 

I'll be getting my shipments Tuesday from eBay and Amazon. Hopefully no delays. I'll try to not drive it too much in the meantime..
Thanks to all who chimed in!