Help!! Who's at fault, shop or deeper issue...

Recently had my axles replaced. I won't go into that story. When I got home I found diff fluid leaking from Passenger side diff. Called the shop and told them it was leaking. They said bring it back in we'll replace the seal. They did. Drove home. It's still leaking!!

Are they just not putting it in correctly? Could it be a bigger problem with axle/diff?

Am I damaging front diff by driving while it's leaking all the diff fluid?

Thanks for any help!

 

Sounds like they're messing up the seal when they put it in, weird because it's really not that hard of a job to do.

You're fine to drive it around as it is, so long as it's not puking gear oil it will be okay. Make sure they're topping off the diff with more gear oil before giving you the truck back.

 

Is the shop familiar with Toyotas or do they wrench on all sorts of brands? It's possible they are driving the seal in too far or not far enough. If the axles are remanufactured they may have a groove already worn in that doesn't match the seal, too.

As long as it's only a drip or slight weep you won't hurt anything as long as the level doesn't get down too far.

 

How much is it leaking? When I replaced my seal, I was still getting a few drops here and there for a couple days, then it stopped.

 

The owner drives a Tundra. He did the first round. They do work on all and every brand. Yeah and the slip said new axles but crawled underneath and they had reman stamped on them from NAPA

 

It's dropping a smear or two on the skid plate. Takes 2 wipes of a shop towel to wipe it clean.

 

Napa half shafts have been reported on here to be too short and/or have a seal surface diameter that is too small.

 

Good to know. Need some ammo when I return with the second seal in less than a week with a leak.

 

What axles are best to replace with? OEM?

 

Get your OEM axles rebuilt here. https://www.cvjreman.com/

 

OEM axles are the best option. I had Autozone ones on my old truck that were junk, so I'd only use Toyota or CVJ.

So hard to know what to do. Sounds like they are at least trying to be helpful.

Perhaps make sure they are using good seals, Toyota of course (but they cost most). I've found aftermarket seals generally can vary from almost as good as Toyota all the way down to worthless junk.

If they are using Toyota seals and if he owns a Tundra he'll know how to set their depth then it's got to be the axles.

 

Man I love this site. Thanks guys for all the insight. I see things a little clearer now. I'm going to pick up a OEM seal and have them put it in. Last ditch effort before I blame the axle and put in OEM.

Anyone have the part number for the Passenger side seal?

 

As mentioned above, make sure they know about setting the depth correctly. If they just whack it in til it hits bottom, it will definitely leak.

 

I watched a video the other day. 5.5mm is the required depth right? or sit it flush with diff?

 

I don't know. I just know that some TW members have had a leak because they pounded it in too far.

 

- Diff tube axle seal (passenger side)

$14 90311-47013 Toyota Genuine Oil Seal for Differential Side Gear Shaft

90311-47013
- Diff axle seal (driver side)

$13 90311-47027 Toyota Genuine Parts - Seal, Type T Oil (90311-47027)

90311-47027

 

When I replaced the needle bearing, I installed the new seal flush with the diff. I also made sure not to put it in backwards the 2nd time around.

 

This is what the factory manuals shows. Not sure if it's the same for both sides. It's been a while.

 

I believe this was the confusing part. The passenger tube side is deeper. Like I say, it's been awhile and now that I look at this those two ears look odd to me. I don't know now.

 

So I took this information into my local Toyota dealer, Bennett Toyota in Lebanon, steer clear at all costs, and they sent me out with the 47027 saying it was for both sides... It's not. They're terrible and make me feel bad owning a Toyota. Luckily had my frame replaced before all the jackaloons showed up. Pity the fool who has to deal with them for a frame replacement, when they couldn't even get me the right part.