Clutch, Axle Seals, and O2 sensor

I recently bought a nice Tacoma for cheap. I got a good deal on it because it has some issues, and I'm that type of guy.


My main concerns currently:
I was told the rear axle seals leak. Didn't see any oil leakage but the BRAKE light stays on. I assume this is because the shoes and drum and slathered in oil?
So...my concern is how hard of a job it is to replace these infamous seals?
I've looked at some threads that have gotten me really worried. This link really scares me. This guy is talking about replacing wheel bearings, retainers, and ABS sensors. I lost my shit when it was talking about taking his axle to a machine shop because there aren't any machine shops within 30 miles of me! And they are all ridiculously expensive. Then, at the end, he spent $660 doing the work himself. My only hope is that this is different for a Tacoma, as the OP did this work on a 4runner. But then I read other threads saying it's a 45 minute/$10 job!

Issue #2: The clutch
I got the truck and decided to see what kinda powah this macho 3.4 has. I didn't "Ring it out" or anything, but I took it to a smooth 5k up to 3rd gear. No issues. Shift 4th, then 5th and cruise at 50-55. For some reason, I floored the pedal in 5th gear and the RPMs just shot up. I was like I couldn't tell if the clutch is junk, if the rear wheels were slipping (low tire tread & snow and salt) or if the slave and master cylinder need inspecting. I can reproduce the situation maybe 30% of the time. If I'm stopped, and put it in 1st, and let the clutch out while pressing on the brake pedal, the RPMs will drop and it will stall the motor...so idk if the clutch is good or junk? Truck only has 112k...
Another idea: The clutch peal has the famous squeak due to a worn bushing. The pedal also has a considerable amount of sag. Where the CC won't engage unless I hook my foot under it. Could this sag be from the missing bushing? And be causing partial clutch release? Could the sag also be from a blown seal in the master cylinder? Which could also cause the partial release?

Issue #3: Check engine light
I pulled codes and got P0125 "Closed loop control insufficient coolant temperature", P1135, P1130, and another P1135 with a weird "pd" logo next to it. I see that P1135 is "Air/Fuel Sensor Heater Circuit Response. (Bank 1 Sensor 1)" and the other is "Air/Fuel Sensor Circuit Range/Performance. (Bank 1 Sensor 1)"
It seems pretty obvious and certain that it's the pre-cat O2 sensor, but that "insufficient coolant temp" phrase is really throwing me off. Could it be a coolant temp sensor instead? Also, exhaust smells rich and I've burn through 3/8 tank in 70 miles with easy driving...mostly. So I assume I'm netting a solid 11mpg. Runs great though

Hopefully looking for a member to easy my worries and help me keep this thing on the road forever!

 

Same thing is happening to my clutch in my 98 tacoma, has 285k on it so it lasted a while. My guess is the clutch is about gone, my rpms shoot up in every gear unless i granny it. Looking into replacing mine, id do the same.

 

O2 sensor fixed my CEL, but then 2 more showed up. Cleaned MAF for p0171 (I believe) "too lean". Stayed off for ~200 miles. Then came back on.."too lean".
Cleared it a couple times trying to see how consistent it was/is because I think it's just leaking vacuum hoses.
Today, get CEL for "too lean" and P0420 for catalytic converter failure...yippee!! More big ticket items I get to buy for my 'bulletproof' truck.

Brake light was on due to brake pads. Fixed that. Rear axle seals have been replaced twice - STILL leaking. Yippee!!! Have to do brake shoes AGAIN and wheel bearings due to oil contamination.

clutch is iffy...the clutch pedal is so vague because it has play in it. IDK if it's that clutch pedal bushing or what. Pretty sure either the slave or master cylinder is blown and needs to be replaced. I haven't been able to get the clutch to slip on its own again, but if I disengage the clutch, even a hair, the engine just free-revs. So I must be riding on about a hair's thickness of clutch.



More issues/noises/vibrations I need help on. When I got my truck, the A/C wasn't blowing cold air. I decided to re/charge the system today because it got up to around 70F. I used one of those refrigerant canisters with gauge from Advance Auto. I put it on the line and it showed 0 pressure!! I charged the system up to where it was supposed to be. Turn the A/C on and hear a loud hiss inside the cab. Well...now I'm a bit scared. Turned the A/C on and off a couple times and it's 100% the A/C causing the hiss. It sounds like it's coming from right under the glove box. The A/C system lost pressure after it hissed. The A/C lines on the pass. side engine bay lead directly into this area. Anyone know what's up with that?

I also noticed a weird kind of..."rustling leaves" noise coming from the engine when I step on the throttle a bit. If I cruise at say...25% or less throttle, nothing. But when I press on it around 30% it makes a 'rusting leaves' sound, and stops around 80% throttle.

 

I would like to say with the clutch pedal spring. I pulled mine out on my 02 tacoma and replaced it with just a normal spring from your local hardware store. I think it's #70 spring. It works great. Here's a link to what a lot of people do.
http://www.yotatech.com/f2/fixed-stupid-plastic-clutch-pedal-bushing-19137/
Hope it helps out.

 

thanks!

 

Ya glad I could help. I did and love it. So much better.