CV axle coming out of differential

Canadian with a 2013 here... I'd say that's not too bad. But you might want to get in the habit of spraying fluid film on everything under the truck once or twice a year to prevent it from getting worse.

 

Diff should be puking out oil with the CV popped out like that. At some point you had to have had a huge oil stain under the truck. Differential is probably dry and damaged if I were to bet on it.

 

The snap ring keeps it from popping out.
But it doesn’t really “keep it in”

It shouldn’t be under tension. As in, there shouldn’t be anything pulling it out.
Looks like your truck might be lifted too.
That coupled with the wrong axle isn’t helping you.

 

Like I said, I really know nothing about the Tacoma...is there a way to tell if it's lifted or is it just tire size?

 

Not trying to sound like a wet blanket but I'll bet that differential is toast. Look at silvery-ness of the oil stain that came out. It's been dry for a while and damage has probably already been done.

But.. you won't know for sure until you get a proper axle and seal in it and see what's up

 

I bought it 2months ago and I've never seen any leaks or stains... possibly cause it was f-uped possibly when I bought it!

 

Sorry to jack this thread but i would contact Toyota corp with your vin number
Your truck might qualify for the frame rust prevention campaign
If its not done they will not warranty your frame ( I could be wrong but cant hurt to call them)

 

I mean in all fairness, if the diff was 100% dry it probably would have grenaded by now. At the very least Id expect some awful noises. So hopefully OP isnt totally screwed yet, but it 100% needs to be fixed asap haha

Could even cannibalize that CV and just put the housing itself back in, just in the interested of getting fresh gear oil in there asap

 

Measure from the center of the front hub up to the fender. Should be about 19.5". You can also post picks of your front shocks. Post a pic of your rear springs, including the top of the rear axle. Is there a block between the axle and leafs? How many leafs in your springs?

 

Hey, you guys are great! I've never been on a forum that actually gives good advice... usually they just talk out their asses

 

Hold that thought…

 

Yes. And you have serious issues past just an axle, from the looks of it.

 

I measured from center of hug to fender and it's 24 inches and I have 4 leaf springs. Could this potentially be my problem?

 

On the rear or the front? A 4.5" spacer lift on the front without a diff drop? Yeah that's a problem. A 3" to 4" block lift on the rear? Meh, not the end of the world.

 

i think stock is ~21” but don’t take that as gospel, so it sounds like you have a 3” lift. Been many moons since I measured that on a stock truck.

 

following this one. that cv axle poking out hurts my feelings

 

A stock 3rd gen will have approx. 20.5 to 21.0 inches of distance, hub-fender (except the Pro and TE models, which have more). A stock 2nd gen has 1 inch less lift than a stock 3rd gen. As such, BKinzey's indication of 19.5 inches above for the front should be accurate. There should then be about 1.5 inches of rake when the springs were new, 0.5 to 1.0 inches once they wear in. A 4-leaf pack is likely stock.

 

Okay, I checked my diff oil and I still had about a quart and a half of fluid in there.
PITA stupid 10mm Allen! I tried to shove axle back in diff...she won't go.am I missing something? Or do I gotta take wheel off and put it in that way?

 

you need to take the wheel off and disconnect the axle from the spindle/hub (undo the axle nut and whatever else is involved with the 2nd gens). With 1st gens you have to disconnect the lower ball joint as well. I highly doubt you're going to get it to go back in while the axle is still attached to the hub.

Once it's detached I usually thread the axle nut back onto the end of the axle and then persuade it with a hammer so that it goes back into the diff. Do not hammer the end of the axle without the axle nut on it or you'll mess up the threads and have to get a new axle.