Leaking drive shaft?

Hi, I have a 96 Tacoma 2.4, and the drive shaft appears to be leaking? Or idk, there’s a loose bolt in the pic I’m gonna tighten but I don’t think it’s that, want to know how worried I should be and what I should do. I don’t know how long it’s been looking like this..

 

Looks like you have a leaking seal on your trans. Better check the fluid level in there.

 

Thank you! How should I do that? I cant for the life of me find a dipstick..

 

A 96 automatic should have a dipstick

Red handle, has a clip to keep it in place.

 

I’m not a first gen guy, but that looks like a transfer case to me, the way it goes down and to the left

OP, is this 4wd?

 

Ahh, its a manual, 4wd

 

Tighten up that bolt which secures your driveshaft. Before you do, you'll need to replace a seal (this is the cause of your leak). I don't normally reference like this but sounds like you might be new to all this so -

https://youtu.be/8YuY6rv1hkE

 

Are you sure you don't have a 2.7 engine? I was under the impression 2.4 was a 2wd 5 lug truck thing.

 

The big bolt in the center of the picture looks like your fill, and check, plug, and there should be a similar one all the way on the bottom for the drain

open the top one and check the level

 

One loose bolt or two?

 

As I mentioned, replace the leaky seal then you'll tighten that bolt on the flange. That lower bolt (which helps secure your t-case skid and has a torque value of 13 ft lbs), you can tighten now. Hell, you can tighten the flange bolt now if you want but you'll still need to replace that seal.

Try this, wipe up that leak residue, tighten the WAY loose flange bolt (should be 54ft lbs iirc) and monitor. If it continues then replace the seal.

 

Always make sure your vent is not covered in mud fluid will push out at the easy place.

 

You guys are all so freaking awesome, thank you so much, and yeah i think it might be a 2.7 actually, im definitely new to this but appreciate all of the info, Ive tightened everything, the oil was low, but still some in there so i added some more and next weekend im gonna replace that seal