Unknown leak?

I just looked under the truck today and i saw that the rear axle and leaf springs are covered in sometime of oil or gear oil. I don’t think that is brake fluid, all connections seem fine. Doesn’t smell or taste like gas either. No drips just like it got splatter from the tires. I’m thinking it’s either my rear shock or rear shock reservoir. Need some guidance here.

Here is the youtube link for the video
https://youtube.com/shorts/AphWUaGgu80?si=dig_t5lUleArKQYm

 

What did it taste like? You should be able to tell by the taste what it is.

 

Im thinking its the shock or gear oil, it was a light color like new oil.. just tasted oily lol

 

Hard to tell but if I were to guess I’d say pinion seal because of how it’s slinging everywhere

 

In your video it looks like it’s coming from the differential pinion seal.

 

Alright ill take a look at that. I have been hearing a pop or clunking sometimes when im driving. Just happens randomly and it comes from under neath me somewhere

 

That’s what it looks like around the pinion seal

 

Maybe you drove through something weird? Like a puddle of fluid or oil?

 

Hmm, it looks dry now I’m unsure Bushop84 is actually a Toyota Tech so I’m going to let him make the call.

 

i don’t think i did but it’s a possibility, i figured the whole underneath would be coated if so

 

How does your diff fluid level look? If that is fine, I'd almost just clean it all off and wait to see if it starts again. There's too much sprayed around to tell where or even if its coming from the truck.

 

I haven’t checked it but i did change the fluids out about 2 months ago. A popping ish noise comes from the rear end when driving, but not constant just sometimes

 

I would take it somewhere where they can put it up on a rack to get a better look.

 

There's weird crap lying around out on these roads and highways. I' d check all the drivetrain fluids and send it if levels look good

 

I’ll probably do that, i’ve never had a leak like this before ima just clean it and hope for the best. The shocks aren’t leaking and it’s just weird

 

I know you have a 2018, but there was a weeping rear end TSB for 2016-2017. Two good PDF documents to look at in post #1931.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ble-loss-of-control-of-vehicle.488536/page-97

 

Looks like severe leak at the diff flange where it mates with the axle housing. Your video:



2016-2017 recall instructions filed with the NHTSA: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCRIT-17V285-0775.pdf (see pg 4)

 

We've seen weld seems on the axle housing leak.

Gotta wash it, put UV dye in.

 

Yea but isn't it getting way forward on the frame rails by the front of the leaf springs? Thats upwind

It would take a lot of gear oil to cover that much real estate. If the level is anywhere near the check plug I'd say its likely not from the diff

 

Video sucks for isolating the oil leak purposes...
At 22-23 seconds you see what looks like a shock reservoir, take a look there...
Also, dont think you show your brake backing plates, are those covered in oil???
If you cant isolate it, you may have run something over...

Yes, your rear diff as stated may be leaking, but that oil wouldnt travel forward if it truly is quiet a ways forward than the rear diff...

Need a zoomed out still shot, but thats hard to do without a rack...

Edit
your brake backing plates look dry...
Ide take a really good look at that shock......
Then again, thats alot of transfer, seepage....