Can anyone tell me where this POS is leaking from?

I cannot figure out for the life of me whether or not this is straight axle grease or if it is from my axle seal, but this bullshit is getting flung around everywhere and has even made its way back to my oil pan. So it's leaving traces of the leakage everywhere. Here are some pictures. Please help.



I was actually able to take some of it off and it runs down my finger. So it is oil for sure. But damn it man I just can't tell where this POS is leaking from.

 

Does it smell bad? If so, maybe diff fluid blowing out the breather under the hood.

 

Ew

 

Damn on a 12?! Take it to the dealership. What kinda warranty did you get?

 

Dealer

 

Oh shit, maybe you are right and it was the breather! I took it wheeling out to Pismo some time ago and that's when I started to notice it. Needless to say, I pushed on the bastard pretty hard and had my truck skipping at some points when I was stuck(ish). As soon as I felt the bouncing I would stop to avoid breaking anything though.

PS, yes it does smell bad.




To everyone else. I am afraid they might blame all this crap down here on my lift though.

 

They would have a hard time trying to prove your lift caused your diff to blow fluid out the breather. I would take it to them and just tell them you noticed a leak. Don't have to tell them it started when you were wheeling. Let them take care of it and fix it. If the dealership wants to start talking about the lift, go above their head and talk to the service manager.

 

I personally know the manager and that guy is the scum of the world. All the dealers in my area have garbage managers and I'm quite frankly afraid to let them touch the car.

It looks too thin of film for it to be gear oil. Though where the actual axle shaft is by the boot it does appear to be something thicker, I almost thought it was axle grease at first. After examining all of it thoroughly and getting some of your opinions it does appear to not be leaking out from the boot itself.

 

Based on this picture alone it would appear that your CV boot is throwing grease every where. I've seen it a million times. That's why its splattered all over. As the axle spins the rotational movement literally flings the grease everywhere. I've seen it end up on the underside of the hood before too. Should be warranty, but they might say your lift caused excessive angle to the cv boot and caused the leak. A good dealer would just fix it......

 

I am lifted. The angle of the boot from the lift is not rubbing at all though.

I thought about the axle itself, but why in the hell would I also have some kind of oil along with all of this? Others are suggesting it's diff fluid, it is a pinkish reddish color so that is a feasible possibility.

 

Looking at that close up of the boot , does it look like 2 of the boot fins are cut lining up with each other ?

Hard to see on my phone

 

I see what you are looking at and I could see how you think it is a cut. If they were indeed cut though, wouldn't they be flinging out the BS elsewhere and not where it has been? Just based where the cuts are.

Edit: scratch that. I could see how the grease would fly out where it is if those are indeed cuts. I'll go out and check.

 

You know what. It is the boot. At least that's one of the contributing issues right now. I can see where it is flinging out little specks of grease from it. The actual oil though I have no clue as to why it is there.

 

Scum service managers in my area as well....one had me to sign the ticket so Toyota would pay them for my first oil change and tire rotation. Well...they didn't change the oil or rotate. Went to another dealer about a defective sun visor and he said I should go back to the dealership that I bought the truck at. I really don't have any confidence in these guys at all. How sad.

 

Is it cut where I thought ?

 

Steam Jenny time.......

 

Looks like your cv boot is ripped right around the clamp

 

Looks like passenger side diff seal is weaping too. I had the same problem on my truck when it was almost brand new. Dealer replaced the seal under warranty and I was lifted at the time

 

I'm sorry my comment is not directly related to this thread but I read this and was bummed. This is EXACTLY the treatment I've had at every US brand vehicle dealership...and why I love my Toyota. I've never had this treatment from Toyota. Bummer to hear that it's becoming common. I hear this more and more...

To the OP. Good luck getting the CV fixed. Sand is hard on everything. Hopefully it doesn't end up costing you too much $$$ to fix.

 

No it's not. It's just where the seam of the rubber is.

That's what I am thinking, but why would it randomly rip like that?

It is very possible. I should probably just have them replace both the axle and the seal at the same time huh.