Busted Diff Seal

I just got a heap of work done in the front end- new icon UCAs new ball joints new tie rod ends. Was skeptical of the recommendation to do all of it but I did.

I drove the truck for 200 miles only highway after the work was done. then left town for two weeks and the truck sat in the drive way. The alignment they did seems pretty shitty and was already planning on taking it back in.

I Came back to town and saw this. It’s a slow leak it seems.

Truck is a 2012 2nd Gen 4x4. 3” lift. 60k miles.

It Has a diff drop. That have anything to do with it?

New parts put stress on the diff? I asked the shop if I should take it out and they said shouldn’t be an issue.

Any advice helps!

 

Hmmm. I believe that is the first I have seen in many years. Usually that orange FIPG used is about as good as things get. Got to ask though. I suppose you checked the diff fill and drain plugs for leaks?

 

Hey guys looked again-
It looks like it might be the drain plug? Looks like it got hit by something.

 

Yup that's it. Take a hex/allen key (not sure what size 2nd gens use) and tighten it. Order a new one to replace it with next time you do your front diff oil.

Looks notched like how I had to notch mine when I stripped the plug.

Probably got hit by something that knocked it loose a bit.

 

Actually on second thought it looks like it's leaking through the chip. Should just replace it right away

 

Somebody rounded out the hex and then used a chisel to get the plug out. Then, instead of replacing the plug, they just slammed it back in there with the chisel.

 

It looks like there's a hole where the notch is that's letting the fluid out, hard to tell 100% though. But if someone did do that then that's fucked up lol

 

Ok-
Should I blame the shop that worked on it? It looks like it just happened right?

Given that they did all of the other work and didn’t mention this I am just a bit confused.

Jake

 

I just used a dremel on mine to notch it and spin it off, but replaced it with a new one right after

 

Hard to imagine why they would do that unless it was somehow an accident. Since it was just in the shop best have them look. Easy fix though they just need to order a new plug and put it on. Better than finding out the gasket around the diff was leaking

 

If you are the original owner and nobody has changed the front axle gear oil, then they definitely did it. Is there a charge on the bill for gear oil?

 

I am not but I definitely didn’t see this previously. Truck has been sitting for 2 weeks since the work was done. As I mentioned they replaced both CV axles so I imagine the fluid was changed.

 

Why did they replace the half shafts at 60K miles?

 

This shop is sounding really shady. If they are the ones that chiseled out the plug, then that's proof they're a bunch of goofballs. Look at your bill. If there's 1 pint of gear oil, maybe they just topped off what spilled out when they pulled the half shafts. If there's 2 or 3 quarts, then they definitely drained the diff.

 

Why would they have drained the diff? A fuck up? Also if the drain plug was screwed up to begin with why wouldn’t they have said anything? They obviously saw it when they did the work.... I paid up the ass so they should have told me if it was messed up to add something else to fix?

Seems like they did it...

Also from the way the metal is shredded it looks like it was chiseled to loosen it because the hex was stripped. But why would they hammer it back in without suggesting a replacement or just fixing it?

 

If they're replacing the half shafts and the truck has 60K miles on it, that's a good time to change the gear oil.

Because they're idiots.

Because they're idiots.
You already mentioned that they did a shitty alignment.

 

Yes the shop did it.
Maybe to replace fluid lost.
If it had been stripped out already or they stripped it not sure.
Pic looks like they created a burr or hanger with the chisel that’s preventing it to seat and seal.
You could try to tighten it but it won’t be in your favor if you plan to keep the truck.
Next fluid change will require the chisel method.
Seems if they left you this and the alignment sucks I’d use a different shop.
Seeing you’ve already put a good chunk of cash into this shops work maybe stop in and give them the chance to correct it at no charge.
Their willingness will help decide if you ever use them again!

 

Replace it with a Lexus drain plug. That way you can use a 14mm socket instead of a 10mm hex key.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-diff-drain-plug-alternate-oem-part.604989/

 

Or, you could remove it, wrap it well with Teflon tape and put it back in.
At this point, I'm not sure I'd want them working on it again.