Leaking Differential Question for Mechanics

Hi all. I am reaching out to you mechanics and those with past experience.

First, why do you think these leaks are happening? For example, I have a 2016 TRDOR that is seeping. I am not on the recall, and I checked the torque of the 3rd member studs. They are not loose. Is it the fluid's viscosity? Is the gasket junk? Is the axle tube housing warping?

Second, has this happened to the previous generation rear axles? We're the 2nd gen axles made by Hino also?

Thanks!

 

If it is an assembly, a mechanic may be able to help you. However, I don't think this is related to assembly. The suspect number of trucks is way too large to be a supplier assembly problem; even the worst suppliers have to perform mandated torque checks on fasteners. I suspect this is a better question for an engineer. Maybe it is a design issue, but really no one knows except toyota corporate.

IMO, a tolerance issue (improperly toleranced), or a stack-up issue (when the sum of the difference in tolerance ranges between a variety of parts add up to one that is out of specification)

Could be the housing, could be the gasket, not likely to be related to fluid as they don't change much and are used on multiple vehicles. Generally you have good supplier support.

 

Great information Kirk.

 

Didn't they narrow down the problem to the studs? Something about them being out of spec or made from a softer that acceptable metal?

 

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interested also as i noticed seeping on my truck yesterday morning and have to go through this whole mess now.

 

2nd gens have not had this problem. The axles are not the same though I'm not sure if made by the same company

 

I am pretty sure the 3rd gens thinned out the axle tube metal. The third member, of course, mounts to this thinner assembly.