Rear left brake locks up first.

Is there and adjustment I can make to even out the rear braking? The rear left locks up first on dry pavement, sending my ABS into a tizzy and I can't stop worth a shit. It's WAY worse in the snow / gravel.

 

Pull your drums off and check that the adjustors are not seized. I suspect one already has.

 

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/brakes/brake-types/drum-brake2.htm

 

Adjusters are darn near mint. I even backed off the offending side a few clicks and it still locks up first...

 

Maybe the right side is not braking enough.
Bad oil seal, leaking cylinder, etc. Check it out.

 

Is your truck lifted?

 

Stock suspension and tire size. I'll look into the right side later tonight...

 

Look like a blown axle seal... Special tools required? And who makes decent replacement seals?

 

Seal remover helps to remove the old inner seal (in the axle tube). Got mine at Autozone. A special tool is used to tap in the new one, but you should be able to tap it in carefully with a hammer or jury-rig something.

This is assuming its the inner seal, and not the outer seal next to the wheel bearing.

I'd go to the dealer to get these. Also, Marlin Crawler sells an 'improved' version. I wouldn't trust anyone else.

 

How do I make the determination of inner or outer seal? Do you have a drawing or diagram I can take a look at?

 

The only purpose of the outer seal is keeping dirt, water and brake dust from the outside world from getting into the bearing.

The inner seal keeps gear oil in the diff. The axle bearing is between the inner and outer seal.

If there is a leak, the inner seal is leaking.

The rears with ABS can be tricky and have a few very subtle areas too screw up. The Marlin seal will not fit ABS rears. OEM is the preferred seal and there may be other damage. Of course the shoes are toast but the bearing should be examined closely. With the amount of oil in the pic there is a chance that the bearing has had it's grease "washed" away with the gear oil passing through it. This does happen but not as often as many claim. A worn bearing could have caused the leak in the first place. It is a good idea to check the differential breather. They can get stuck or plugged and the resultant pressure build up forces oil past the seals.

If bearings are involved this job can get expensive and pressing is required.

Here are a few links on the subject and there are many more.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/277005-stubborn-inner-axle-seal.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1s...roper-way-press-new-rear-wheel-bearing-3.html

 

Dirty Pool knows of which he speaks.
Thanx for posting ... good stuff.

 

Question: How much angular play should be in the bearing? IE, how far should I be able to deflect the axle shaft in relation to the back plate?

Changed out the inner seal today with Toyota OEM. Old seal was disintegrated and the little spring was flopping around on the axle shaft. No idea where the missing bits of rubber are. Presumably they are are sitting in the bottom of the axle tube...