Half Shaft Seal Replacement (HELP) (UPDATE 8/24/2016 Please Read)

UPDATE (8/24/2016) New seals leaking - Please see last post for some added help!

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Hey Guys...

well...let me just start with this...
A. This was a learning experience
B. I'm an idiot

I hit some mud off road this weekend...why? Because I'm a 10 year old in a 31 year old body...I didn't think it would get into the motor but it did, dried and guess who had two leaking half shafts on Monday!?....(2008 DBCB Taco, off road)



I cleaned front diff vents off, cleaned off the trans breather and cleaned the axles. Upon overnight inspection, the passenger side half shaft is still leaking. ITTTT COULD be just burping a little but my guess is new seals needed.

question,
Does anyone know of a good tutorial (I'm very mechanically inclined and have done half shafts on 4runners but not this specific Tacoma). Also, I've read it's an easy fix but removing both half shafts intuitively seems like it's going to be a pain in the ass?! Anyways, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...I think at least I can say....WORTH IT!

Cole - from this weekend, Pearl Pass, CO

 

Exactly man...pulled the truck out of the garage monday morning and was like...wait wait wait wait wait....my truck doesn't leak oil...FML!

 

id drain the front diff. pull the axle. inspect the seal. re-install the axle. fill the diff and look for leaks.

 

At the point of inspecting the seal sans axles...I would just replace it, which is the plan regardless. Just wondering if anyone has tech tips, how to or relevant video links.
Thanks

 

Well, after cleaning and giving it a few days for sure the drivers side is leaking. I think the passenger side is fine. May do both while I'm at it...still...anyone else with advice?

 

Since you will be pulling the axles out, maybe consider installing the ECGS bushing if you're lifted and are experiencing vibrations in 2wd. I will be installing the bushing this weekend on mine and replacing the seal.

 

after checking to make sure the new seals are good to go, put them in the freezer for a while before installing them. I've done two trucks, and the freezer-shrinkage helped. I swear they contract just enough to make it a bit easier to get into place.

Good luck. And I 2nd the ECGS bushing. If you're in there, why not?

 

Hey Guys,

So...replaced both front axle seals and TADAHHHHH they're both leaking again...I used the OEM seals and a PVC driver...I'm guessing that's where I fucked myself. The tech at the dealer told me originally to press the passenger side seal flush to the machined inner lip on the differential, and to press the drivers side seal to the seated position against the inner machined surface close to the needle bearing. I was careful with the seals, lubed the lips, made sure the springs on the seals were in place... I'm going to look for a seal driver at Harbor Freight or Autozone before I try this again tonight.

My questions are:

Is there a particular way I should install the axle to avoid damage to the seal?

*I held it in place and had a friend use a rubber mallet on the end to get it back into place
*The drivers side seal was pressed to seat (with PVC driver that was exactly the same as the OD of the seal)
*Passenger side seal was pressed flush to machined surface of diff housing (I think that was about 12.7-19mm away from the ball bearing on that side)
*I used diff oil on the exterior of the seal for install and on the inner lip for axle install
*I made sure the stock springs were in place on the seals themselves to ensure proper seal function

Okay, any thoughts from you guys would be greatly appreciated
Cole

 

The toyota dealers were raving about the special tool seal driver and it being perfectly straight on the axle...but I think you might be right about the press depth...I'll keep poking around today about that...

haha...just thought of something..."The Toyota dealer was rav4ing about the seal driver"....ah ah..? see what I did there?

 

I just did my passenger side seal and seated it fully. Leaking like a bitch now.

 

Found out through many bushing and CV installs that the seal is supposed to be flush with the housing. The way I got it to do that was using a 2" sch40 pvc pipe with a 2" coupling on the end so that it's small enough to drive the seal but large enough not to let it go any further than it should, also it won't marr it up either since its PVC.

 

I always just seated the damn seal on every vehicle ever worked on. Figures that the Taco would be different! I will use one on my larger seal driver pieces on top of one I used last time so that it will be flush. Great tip. Appreciate it.

 

Hey guys,

I was taught the proper install technique by a Toyota certified mechanic....everything is fine and dandy now...pm for specifics

 

Okay...I think today I'll do a write up. I won't have the axle out obviously but I should be able to explain everything and find pictures online....

 

Did the ECGS bushing install recently and replaced the seal but getting extreme leakage from the diff at the cv axle, so must be the seal. Do you have a 2nd gen part number for the seal (2013 tacoma 4WD) and proper way to install? You mentioned a toyota tech told you how? Just flush with the carrier or..? Part number would be great and a pic, dealership couldn't figure it out lol...

 

ECGS sells those seals, and it sits flush with the housing, not driven all the way in.

 

Does anyone have a few photos to share of the install or installed seal? Thanks

 

I'll post a drawing when I get to work

 

okay, here ya go...the half shaft housing is a big casting with a machined surface as shown below. On both sides the seal face should be perfectly flush to the machined surface and the perpendicularity to the surface across the seal is very important. If the seal inner lip and half shaft machined journal are not perfectly concentric it will not seal.