Axle Upgrade

I have a 98 4x4 with the awesome axle seal leak that i cannot seem to get a handle on. That however, is not my question. Question is, is there an upgrade that can be done on these trucks? Since I am going to have everything thing out of it anyway, i figure if there is something out there to look int it and see if if it would help pulling etc?

 

What exactly are you looking to do? Axle upgrade for...what?

You mention an axle seal leak problem - are you trying to assist with this problem? Have you researched the forum or posted a thread about your leak? What exactly is the problem and what have you done to try and fix it?

 

Ok, lets forget the axle build up question. Yes I researched almost everything that I can find, not on here. Not very good with researching forums. I have replaced the seal twice now in four months, however, did not replace the o-ring on the outside of the axle. Could this be causing an issue with the leak? I'm not sure how it could I'm Just asking. I have also replaced the breather and did not replace the bearing as it is not making any noise or vibrations.

 

Have you replaced the inner axle seal? Where is the leak showing itself?

 

Yes, I sorry it is the inner seal that I have replaced. Sorry left that part out. It usually starts with my emergency brake sticking after the truck has sat for a while and after driving 15 or 20 miles the smell is horrible. It is showing itself underneath the outer seal next to the hub assembly.

 

I may have my terminology mixed up. Did you replace the seal sitting on the axle between the bearing and the hub flange? The one that requires to have the bearing pressed off to get to?

 

Seal in axle housing is oil seal. One on axle itself (outer seal) is just a dust seal. Is the sealing surface on axle groved or pitted? Any play in bearing? How about if the pressure vent on top of diff is working or not.

 

Not sure if it is different for your year. On the 2003 it is an oil seal, the one all the way to the right in the diagram below. Had to replace mine. It gave out and dumped gear oil into the brake drum, which made for an interesting and stinky braking experience. Anyone have a diagram for a 1998 axle?

 

Think I found the correct Toyota parts diagram on Camelback's website. The link is for a 1998 w/ 4WD. Looks to be the same setup as the 2003.

http://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/pa...siteid=214329&vehicleid=84922&diagram=8510555

It has two different parts numbers for the same diagram number, both referred to as an oil seal.
inner: 9031050006
outer: 9031348001

9031348001 should be the one I'm thinking of but would have to check the invoice when I had the dealership do mine. Brought in the axle shafts and let them do all the cutting and pressing.

 

From my experience with leaking seals one Tacoma and two different 4 runners the main reason the seal starts to leak is because the axle bearing is wearing and allowing the the retainer that the seal rides on to prematurely wear out the seal. I've also hear of people moving that retainer out so it gives the seal more surface area to ride on. Factory position has the seal barely on the retainer.

 

I replaced my left side seals and bearing back in March. It's leaking again.

 

REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARING!!! i ignored a re-occurring axle leak and ended up costing me almost $800 after i snapped an axle shaft on the highway.

EDIT: just read you have already replaced bearing. I would do it again. the first time i had the dealer change the bearing because I didn't own a press. they installed it backwards or incorrectly some how and it failed a couple hundred miles later.

bought a press from harbor freight did the work myself in one weekend and havent had a single problem so far.

 

Back in July I had the driver side seal start leaking on returning from a road trip. By the time I got home (~150 miles) the bearing was runbling. Ended up replacing bearings, seals and brakes on both sides. Unfortunately, on a recent trip to Canada, the drivers side seal started leaking again. After only 2300 miles, the bearing had failed again, taking the seal with it.

It will be interesting to see if I have further problems. So far (~1000 miles) on the new bearing, no issues.