front diff is leaking, probably from the drain plug.

i changed it a few months ago. doing some work this past weekend, i noticed the skid plate coated with diff fluid. i am almost positive it is coming from the drain plug. i plan on driving my truck up on ramps, one sided..and changing both the washers on the two plugs. any chance of saving my fluid? or just suck it up and dump it?

you guys changing that washer when you crack the plug open?

 

I would say with the circumstances to just change out the fluid again completely. I didnt change my washer when I changed my fluid a few months ago. Are you sure you tightened it enough?

 

yea..maybe too tight.

 

I definitely change the washer every time I crack a drain bolt open. This is the only vehicle I've seen that leaks after one opening even with a copper washer so I just stay on the safe side and replace them.

 

thanks..i cant remember changing the washers. i think i did. or i got lucky on the rear diff. dry as a bone.

i will re-do the fronts saturday.

 

I had a small drip of diff. fluid at the drain plug. Not much but enough to irritate me. Been a year since I changed all my fluids. Don't know why it would start all of a sudden.. The only thing I could figure is that I had my truck in to the dealer to check the alignment they did during the Spring
TSB..Mebbe they messed with the plug..probably a coincidence right? Anyhoo I loosened the drain plug a turn and a half and tightened it back up. Has been fine since.

 

well, after all said and done..it was the axle seal. toyota is willing to pick up the tab. done.