3rd Gen Tacoma rear diff leak/seep (poll)

While there's plenty of threads on this topic, I'm just curious what folks statistically have had success with (fix wise).

As a re-cap, appears that a lot of folks rear diffs seep or in some cases leak within 10,000-50,000 miles.
I've seen folks all the way up to 2020 with this issue.

Poll>>
1.) I never had the issue and I'm over 50,000 miles
2.) I had to take it in once to get fixed
3.) I had to take it in more then twice to get fixed
4.) I fixed it myself by retorquing the bolts to 18ft lbs
5.) I fixed it myself by taking apart the third member and resealing it with RTV instead (or the OEM paper gasket + RTV)

****
And forgive me while I figure out how/where to properly attach a poll.

 

6.) I never had the issue and I'm over 40,000 miles

 

Almost always caused by a stuck diff breather.

 

I wasn't sure if I should add that as an option, as I hadn't run across enough comments about that being a factor.

Valuable input though (editing poll)!

I for sure plan on changing my breather setup as it's cheap/takes 2 seconds.

My diff as it stands right now>>
2019 Tacoma
28,500 miles

 

2018, Never had the issue at 60k

 

2016 2.7L AT 4X4 60k miles. Have a light seepage/stain but never a drip or leak (park every night in same place since new). I plan to follow Toyota dealer recommendation to change both differentials/transfer case oil (at 60k) and get the differential re-torqued and breather checked. Dealer wants $600 for that so may try another shop. Too old to do it myself anymore. I’m staying with this truck so it’s worth it to me to take care of it. Incidentally, 6 1/2 years in with no other problems or complaints. Probably doesn’t help your poll but that’s my story.

 

Me too.

 

#5

I got the recall but had zero leaks, took it into the dealer, and the retorqued it anyways.
Couple months later at approximately 14,xxx miles I then noticed the rear diff leaking lol.
I went back to the dealer - and they told me that they had already redone the torque sequence and there was nothing else to do.

So I took it upon myself and got rid of that paper crap, RTV (how it should’ve been done) and she’s been solid ever since

 

Dang, so far the results are encouraging.
Sorry to hear about some of you folks that are in the same boat as me.

You always hear about the complaints, but it's hard to gauge overall numbers/how many people actually have issues.

Im still on the fence as far as trying to fix it myself or have the dealer fix it...
It's still under warranty at least.
In theory I could get a free diff fluid change lol.

I may try to retorque and do my breather mod tomorrow and see if it still seeps/leaks.

 

if you retorque it yourself, don’t forget the sequence!
And double check your torque numbers.
A while back I remember seeing some confusion floating around

 

Yeah, unfortunately I've seen examples from dealers deviating from the standard 18ft lbs and going up to 28ft lbs.
(literally on the receipt from the dealer)

As that was more of a 1 off I figure I'll stuck to 18ft lbs.

 

Lol, same!
I hope someone can correct me - but fwiw those that got the recall done from the dealer, had gotten their hardware for the 3rd member upgraded to a higher grade rating. This would explain why there’s a higher torque spec; for the higher grade hardware that can handle it.

Since I have a 2017 and 99% don’t have that stronger grade bolts and crap, when I got rid of the paper gasket and went with RTV, 18 lbs was my go to.

Good luck my man!

 

Check out post #2014 for PDF files of the recall in 2017.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...le-loss-of-control-of-vehicle.488536/page-101

 

To whomever fixed it yourself by taking apart the third member and resealing it with RTV instead, you sir or ma’am, are to be commended.

 

thanks