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Leaking Front Differential -Driversside Axle Seal/CV bad Install?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by ghardy, May 1, 2024.

  1. May 1, 2024 at 9:42 AM
    #1
    ghardy

    ghardy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Last summer I replaced both CV's (Orileys brand), replaced both axles seals, and installed the ECGS Bushing on my 2013 TRD OR I'm having a slow leak from my drivers side front CV. See the video for details.

    https://youtu.be/M7zIFNIjPQk?si=IJ1WEGY_BvpeSyzk

    Does anyone have experience with this?
    Is the snap ring on the CV not fully seated or off maybe?
    Is this much play normal?
    Simply a front Diff seal failure/replacement?
     
  2. May 1, 2024 at 9:45 AM
    #2
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

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    The free play is NORMAL.
    How far in did you seat the axle seal?
    Anything deeper than flush and you are flirting with a leak.
    Flush it good.
     
    ghardy[OP] likes this.
  3. May 1, 2024 at 9:50 AM
    #3
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

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    I forgot to mention, there is a possibility your diff breather clogged.
    Did you run 85w/140 when you did the bushing?
    I did and my diff fluid leaked out the breather under the hood.
    If this happens, it can cause the breather to "stick", which could potentially cause pressure in the front diff.
    If the breather clogged, the fluid will come out the next weakest link. The axle seal.

    But, this is highly unlikely. I've not yet seen a front breather stick closed.
    It's always the rear breather, and 90% of the time it will leak out the drivers side axle.
     
    winkel and ghardy[OP] like this.
  4. May 1, 2024 at 9:54 AM
    #4
    eon_blue

    eon_blue If I would, could you

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    The seals are finicky as hell, at least with the 1st gens (assuming it's the same for 2nd), if they aren't seated at precisely the right depth all around, they will leak. I had to redo mine a few times to get it right.
     
    Marc70 and ghardy[OP] like this.
  5. May 1, 2024 at 1:51 PM
    #5
    ghardy

    ghardy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks guys, I'll inspect the breather when I replace the CV/diff seal!
     
  6. May 1, 2024 at 2:07 PM
    #6
    fatfurious2

    fatfurious2 IG: great_white_taco

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    Driver side seal will stop at a lip in the diff (it will be difficult for it to go further in, unless you broke it. Also check if you damaged the sealing surface. Sometimes the seal pullers can scratch the surface, and then the seal wont do its job)

    Passenger side you need to measure it to 5.5mm (lip of diff to edge of seal, all the way around)

    IMG_0059.png
     
    skigan and ghardy[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  7. May 2, 2024 at 10:06 AM
    #7
    ghardy

    ghardy [OP] Well-Known Member

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  8. Aug 17, 2025 at 10:23 AM
    #8
    skigan

    skigan Well-Known Member

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    Just giving this comment more exposure. It is crucial the passenger side seal is driven to the proper depth (5.5mm) or it will leak. When doing this job on my truck I saw many reviews on various aftermarket seals saying they leak when I'm guessing they just weren't driven in to the correct depth.
     
    fatfurious2[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Aug 17, 2025 at 11:53 AM
    #9
    OldSchlPunk

    OldSchlPunk I'm not sick, but I'm not well

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    I'm hoping so, my seal gave up this week and will be replacing when my bushing arrives later this week. My guess is that it will work. Be careful when pulling on the hub, you can pull the CV apart if you pull too much.
     
  10. Aug 17, 2025 at 2:27 PM
    #10
    fatfurious2

    fatfurious2 IG: great_white_taco

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    This tool is also helpful for the passenger side

    https://www.cruiserpatch.com/produc...replica?_pos=1&_psq=cv+axle+seal&_ss=e&_v=1.0
     

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