Need help identifying leak

So, for the past few weeks ive have been noticing this wet spot on the rear of my truck. Im not sure if it is a leak or what

completely confused on this one.

2006 DC LB SR5 prerunner 65xxx miles.

these pics were taken when i woke up, my truck hadnt been drive for 14 hours when these were taken.




help!!

 

are you still under warranty?
axle on my 98 looks like that too

 

could be a seal that needs to be replaced

 

Let's see the front of the pumpkin. From the back it looks like the fill plug is not sealing but if that is getting back there from the front, then it is the pinion seal. Make sure your axle vent is not clogged and also eyeball the axle seals on each wheel to make sure those are dry.

 

give me a minute...

 

Get some brake cleaner and clean it up. Check back and see if it's comming from somewhere

 

heres the front. No noticiable leaks except for the bottom if you look hard enough:



you can see the drips in this photo:



the liquid was a brownish/yellow. some kinda oil

 

looks like the fill plugs not sealing

 

fill plugs huh?

take it to the dealer?

i have the extended warranty, will they cover this?

 

Naw, just put a 15/16ths or 1" socket on them and tighten them up. If they seem tight as hell now then I'd have to drain and gray rtv the threads or pipe tape on both the drain and fill plugs. Can't really tell which one is loose but betting one of them is. Put a wrench on them..........just gear oil in there, about 2.5 quarts of 75-90wt or whatever manual says. Did you just have some service done where they changed that? I would let them know about it but wouldn't waste the time going there if one of those aren't tight.

 

You can tighten the bolt on your own because I think even with extended warranty dealer will charge you something.
First try with fingers if you can turn that fill plug. If you can use socket to tighten. if that works I would suggest removing fill plug and checking oil level in diff. in case you are missing some.
When did you change diff oil ?

 

last January. what precautions should i take?

thanks for the help guys!!

 

I would also put a socket on those front nuts on the 3rd member. Long shot but they way it is leaking I guess it could be a couple of those. Check them all. Check the level. Wipe it down. Drive more.

 

Just tightened the bolt in this picture. Tightened it a good half turn and it seemed somewhat loose. also seemed to be where some oil was getting out. Ill let you guys know if this is the culprit...

 

Did you check oil level in the diff?
You should check level in case enough leaked out to give you problems later.
the good part is, if fill plug was a culprit (as it sounds) truck will never leak enough oil to destroy diff. So you should be good but if it was me I would make sure oil level is good.

 

I would suggest topping off your fluid if you haven't already done so, then giving your fill and drain plugs a lil wrenching to ensure tightness. I think there torque is supposed to be like 30 or 40 ftlbs. Then when you're all done hit it all with some brake clean and a rag to get it oil free so you can see if it leaks any more.

 

1/2 turn? Guaranteed that's where it was leaking from, especially after seeing where it's wet/dark. Just check the level after it sits overnight, add gear oil as needed, then tighten it good & snug, clean it all off and drive!

 

Sometimes oil will migrate through the threads of the bolts/studs. If I have a leaker, I put teflon pipe dope of the threads.

 

Will do guys, thanks for the help!

 

for people who read through this thread and had the same problem:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/24545-changing-differential-fluid-step-step-how.html