I’m no mechanic

This was my thought too. New crush washer, torque to spec, and hope like hell it isn't a gasket.

 

Clean it then drove it like you stole it

 

at the end of the day if you keep the truck long enough you will get leaks. its just what it is. Wash it off and see what the true leak looks like then make your decision to either fix or live with it.

 

I seen this before, my guess is that its leaking from the actuator seal

 

part out

 

Pull the fill plug and see how much if any lube it takes to fill (point where lube starts to dribble out). If close to none then it might not be transfer case lube you are seeing. Also if it does take just a tiny bit to fill then the leak may be so slow its cheaper to just top it up once in a while than spend 100's on having a seal replaced.

 

Yes, the GX470s are notorious for their actuator leaks! When I was looking at buying a used one, almost all had leaks. Many shops and shade tree mechanics try and fix it without removing and cracking the case, causing more problems.

 

Had the same leak on my 2018. Luckily was fixed under warranty.

Showed 5 hrs labor and a seal replacement... my guess with stealership shop rates ... close to 900 to 1K.

 

Took it by my local mechanic I use, he looked at it and said he is pretty sure it is leaking seal in the T case. I’ll drop it off Tuesday. He said it would be around $300 to replace it. I’ll update after he has done the work.

 

I would still check the fluid level before you do anything $300 can but an awful lot of gear lube if its just weeping a teeny bit.

 

For $300 I'd make it that other guys problem.

 

To me this looks like a leaking shaft seal on the transfer case, at the front driveshaft flange.



Leaking T-case actuator seal or drain plug can't cause oil buildup at the front of the small skid. I also don't think the exhaust crossover pipe can be so clean if the leak was at the transmission output shaft.

 

Would be possible . Just thinking that since this seal only see's any wear when actually in 4wd since shaft isn't spinning in 2wd it should be in good shape...
Since mine is krown oil sprayed ever year just about everything on the underside is oily and would make it hard to narrow down a leak if I had one.

 

Update…
It was the shaft seal in the transfer case, and leaking out in the void where the case meets the transmission. Mechanic replaced it, and $320 later it’s back at the house.

 

Thanks for the update, I'm glad it's fixed.

 

I'm no mechanic either......

 

Before cleaning the oil off, I would start by looking where the highest point is where the oil is present. That is the area where the leak likely is from.

 

FINALLY someone who didn't try to get the stealership and did the smart thing by going to a local mechanic. yota would have easily charged you a grand for that

 

Yea, have been using him for years now. And, I have sent probably close to 20 other people to him as well. And they all still use him. He is 60 years old, and I’m afraid he won’t be doing it much longer.