Anyone else with a 20/21 with leaking diff problems?

Unfortunately i have found that my rear diff is leaking in the same spot again at 6600 miles. the dealer retourqued the bolts and cleaned off the area with degreaser about 1k miles ago when i brought it in for the seeping. the tech said if it leaks again they would redo the seal which is okay although it is annoying that such an issue is still an issue from Toyota when they reportedly fixed it a long time ago since the earlier years. I just hope the process isn't too invasive or the truck comes back more messed up. Anyone else with a newer 3rd gen that has had this issue?

Also i heard that the gasket used for these diffs are of the same level of junk paper gaskets used for the rear brakes. I wonder why they don't use that orange stuff for a gasket thats on the T case and front diff.

 

Not a leak, it's a seep. Ten years from now it probably will look exactly the same. Good luck.

 

how common are seeps supposed to be?

 

Not real common but they happen. Usually due to the mating surfaces being not quite perfect. Seeps can even happen from heat expansion and rarely if ever turn into a leak or really even grow bigger. You will be changing your diff fluid at 30K and will use a new gasket then right?
I have a seep and check it every 5K or so and... it still looks exactly.the same.

 

I would only get concerned if it turns into a drip.
The paper gasket probably wicks the oil through a spot in the mating metal cover and case that has an imperfection
When I was involved with Aircraft, Helicopters to be precise, gear box cases were sealed with an external Puck, a two part material, like a Super Silicone, that was applied everywhere anything could leak. They leaked anyway!

 

the way i understand it the rear diff on tacomas have a drain and fill plug with a crush washer? i thought the gasket was left alone for fluid changes unlike jeeps with dana axles.

 

You are correct. Pulling that diff requires pulling the axles and driveshaft. If it isn't dripping I wouldn't worry.

 

oh yikes lol thats actually alot more work than i thought.

 

It's not bad. Takes about 30 min max if you have done it before.

 

do you have to re assemble as to maintain surface mating for the spider and side gears/ pinion and ring gears?

 

Your Differential is just like the old Quick Change Eaton's, Ford 9", the Differential with Ring Pinion and Spiders stays together as a unit. The axles pull out of the splined gears in the Diff, then you unbolt the 3rd. Member, Differential, after unbolting the Driveline Yolk and pull it out in one assembly. You can actually go to a Wrecking yard, buy another one for your truck with the same ratio and put it in. Plug and play. Hope this helps you understand a little better about how your Axle Differentials are designed.

 

My 19 has not developed incontinence yet.

 

Nothin to worry about. You could pull the 3rd and try to reseal it. On all my wheelers I stopped using the gaskets and just use Toyota brand rtv/sealer to make my own. Zero leaks. With a welded steel housing instead of a cast/machined you’ll get some out of true flanges.

 

Update: just found out my friends 21' OR dclb has about 6x more seepage than mine with less miles, honestly makes me more concerned. I also found that the diff was almost a WHOLE quart low and i just topped it off with Redline 75w85. Thinking about doing an Amsoil 75w90 fluid change soon.

 

There is no way in hell that seep lost an entire quart

 

I have a 21 TRD Pro. Similar "seep" before 10K miles. At 10K mile service, dealer said Toyota said it's normal; "retorqued" it and cleaned. At 10.7 K miles "seep" is back and progressing. Not happy with it. More details here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...w-me-yours-because-its-the-toyota-way.724956/

 

OP is running castor oil for his rear end.

 

Normal

 

I've had toyota 4wd trucks since 78 never had a leak, or seep anywhere on any of them...that how rare.

 

There is no way in hell that seep lost an entire quart[.

I'm thinking it was underfilled from the factory....
My diff has no visible seep/leak but was 1 quart low also....Apologize for going off-topic.