Pinion seal leak

hi all thank you for reading and responding its much appreciated.

So I have a 2001 Tacoma 2.7 with the 8.4 rear end. I love the heck outta this truck but I’ve replaced my pinion seal quite a few times now and it hasn’t sealed up. I have checked and cleaned the breather cleaned the yoke which does have a very very tiny groove but I can barely feel it with my finger nail, I also put in a new yoke in and no luck. I grabbed the shaft sticking out of pinion seal and I can feel no play at all. Lubed the back so the spring doesn’t pop out and the yoke etc. It’s definitely leaking where the seal contacts the yoke and I’m fairly sure the seal went in ok. Took a few tries but I got one in real even and slowly.

I want to mention I cheaped out big time by replacing only one leaf spring a few weeks ago and that’s kind of when I noticed the seal leaking. Only did it due to Lack of money etc. was going to replace the other in the spring.

When I did the leaf I had to move the rear end forward a bit to get the bolt in the hole but only maybe half an inch if that. I’m wondering if this is putting it at a strange angle opening up the seal a bit? I notice no difference in drive no vibrations it seems to drive fine.

Thanks again

 

Did you check to see if the companion flange had a distinct groove where the old seal lip was riding? If there is a slight worn in groove, a new seal riding in the same spot might not seal sufficiently and leak again. You could change where the new seal rides on the companion flange by purposely not driving in the seal as far as before. A mm or two difference would be all that's required. Also, some people just opt to get a new companion flange.

 

Yep I searched a bunch of different forums for awhile and tried everything I could possibly find. The flange did have a slight groove that I could barely feel with my fingernail, it was very small, and i cleaned it up but that didn't work. I even tried a brand new flange and a brand new seal and it still leaked. I suppose it is a big possibility that I am just not being gentle enough with the seal tapping it in causing it to distort some way.

 

The fellas over at Marlin Crawler make a heavy duty pinion seal...

https://www.marlincrawler.com/differential/parts/heavy-duty-pinion-seal

 

This would work for my 8.4 non locker diff? I'd definitely give it a try if it does.

 

Says they are out of stock on the website...Marlin is notorious for having out of stock 1st gen parts so I wouldn't get your hopes up. But I'd definitely call them because they may have just not updated the site since getting more

 

I got a little curious and searched for the part number and these guys have them in stock http://locktupfabrication.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=82 but i'm hesitant to buy it since it doesn't have my truck in the applications

 

Contact them and ask if it will fit.
May not hurt calling Marlin if these guys don't have it.

 

Yeah it specifically states the 8" rear end and nothing about the 8.4...but there may not be a difference in the actual pinion seal and perhaps they just didn't know to include the 8.4 in the description. I'd call them and ask

 

They said it doesn’t fit. I kind of figured it didn’t as the first seal I got was for the 8” from the auto parts store and it didn’t fit over the pinion flange/yoke however I figured it can’t hurt to ask you never know.

I suppose I could try one last time and rent an actual seal installer but I may have to call a shop.

 

Using a proper seal installer should give you a huge advantage, especially if you're inexperienced to seating seals. I'm experienced and still use my install set. Harbor freight has a cheap set that has worked for anything I've needed.
Someone mentioned earlier as well about not seating the seal quite as deep so that it rides on a new part of the surface. If you're this far, you've done the hard work. It's just getting that seal done correctly. You got this if you've made it this far hombre

 

I will give it another go, heh I’m actually really good at pulling it apart and removing the seal now. Takes me about 20 minutes. I even took a 2 ft section of my old leaf spring and cut a slot in it so I can bolt it to the flange and get that nut off. Think I’ll be keeping that piece too. Seals like this have always been the bane of my existence. I have a harbor freight kinda near me and I Love having an excuse to buy new tools.

I find it extremely difficult to even set the thing in there evenly, it seems one side always pops in deeper and boom seal is ruined

Thanks guys I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

Just want to make sure I've got the right kit from HF but is this the one you were talking about?

 

Similar. Maybe it was Amazon that I got mine. Either way, it's using SOMETHING/ANYTHING that will allow you to start that seal correctly. And then I'd leave it out like 1/16" or so, so the new rubber seal rides on fresh new shaft material.
The rubber of the seal can't have any nicks or imperfections at all. Have to use a new seal that's never been installed

 

948004 Bearing Race & Seal Ins

$55 Alltrade Powerbuilt 10 Pc. Bearing And Race Installer Kit - 948004, Silver

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005SMUOR4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_R7iZDb46X7V4H
The tapered side of the little discs would be for driving in the bearing races, if applicable.

 

I believe I tried leaving it out a tad one time and it tore the seal right up and made all kinds of noise after half a mile, but maybe it was more than 1/16". I honestly can't seem to find a tool that looks like it would work that isn't 150+

I was looking at those but they look like a solid piece of metal and I am pretty sure I need something that is going to fit over the shaft as it pokes out a bit.

 

Derp, my bad. I was thinking axle housing.

 

Yeah that makes the whole thing a bit different. Only thing I've used for that scenario is socket/tool thingy a fabricator friend made for me out of some pipe.

 

I tried a 2 inch pvc end cap and that didn't work very well for me, but I was thinking maybe I could find a copper adapter or a longer piece of pvc or something and tap it in gently with a rubber mallet. Will need to go to home depot I think. Maybe even if I can find it a big ol 2" socket

Appreciate the suggestions though, I had to look hard at those race bearing/seal kits and I thought it would work at first. They give terrible pictures.

 

Check this video out Fellers:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/iUPMf3y-o9A