LEAKING REAR END :(

I am casting this out there and seeing what bites I get. Helpful responses are welcomed.

I have a feeling my rear diff is leaking. However the 2017 TRD OR is not covered in the leaking rear diff recall. I changed out my rear diff fluid to Redline 75W85 GL5 about two months ago. Prior to doing this I did not notice any leaking however I might not have been looking hard enough because I was concentrating on the engine leaking oil. The oil leak has since been fix by the dealership on their dime. Over the last month I had noticed a little weeping of diff oil around the seal facing the front of the truck. I figured not too big a deal as there were no droplets or spots on the driveway. I finally got to a point I where I crawled underneath to clean/degrease the diff. While I was under there with a flashlight I looked around and noticed oil sprayed all over the rear end in what looks like an arch. Almost like oil is being flung from the driveshaft in a circle all over the back of the truck. Oil was on the fuel tank, wheels, brakes, spare tire, rear bumper, axle, and the underside of the bed. WTF I thought I am having nothing but issues with this vehicle! I then cleaned everything really well last night. I got under there for an hour and a half and scrubbed all the oil off in hopes of being able to find out where the fluid was coming from or hoping that it is no longer an issue (what I was really hoping for!!). No dice!! I got into work this morning and there is fresh oil flung all over again. Looks even worse then before. I snapped some pics. Any ideas or can you all confirm this is a leaking rear differential seal?

 

There is a recent TSB from Toyota that clarifies their classification of what a leak is versus a weep. You might want to search that out, just for the correct ammo to take to the dealer.

Also, if you can find some old school spray on deodorant. Something nice and chalky. It will help you identify the source. If I was to guess, this is not the classic diff leak / weep, but the front pinion seal.

 

Attached is that weep / leak TSB.

 

X2

 

If there is no oil on the ground...it’s not a leak.

 

Good stuff thank you for getting back to me! I had also considered the front pinion as well. I already have an appointment with Frontier Toyota in Valencia, CA on Friday. The who helped me with my engine oil leak is also helping me with this issue so I feel confident he will get this repair approved under warranty. I will try and find the most current recall info from Toyota. As far as I can see the recall does not include my vehicle.

 

This is a good one! SO it is a seeping situation. No droplets have formed. I will still show up to the appointment on Friday and see what Toyota says. The service tech who has helped me in the past usually hooks it up.

 

You're welcome.

The diff seal TSB had an oddly specific range. Mine has had a weep since new. I have never bothered with it.

You can find all TSBs for you Taco with the info in my signature.

 

Good luck! Swapping that seal should be a piece of cake with a shop lift and some ugga duggas.

 

No problem at all!

 

Definitely looks like the pinion seal. I had the same issue on my truck but worse.

 

There’s a weep around the diff or someone wiped it, but also looks like something is hitting your driveshaft and spraying all over. Maybe someone just hit it with some lube or something. I don’t see any leaks around that area

 

Taco Bell?

 

It does look like the driveshaft is flinging liquid all over in a circular pattern. So might very well be the front pinion as others have mentioned. I did wipe everything down last night and after a 30 mile drive to work it looks like it does now in the pics I added to the original thread. No one would have put any lube under there and the degreaser I used I made sure to thoroughly wipe it up.

 

I can not anymore heart disease at 34 years old really put a wrench in my life plans.

 

Sorry I was thinking a different rear end.

 

What about the u-joint? I'd check that first.

 

Me too. That almost looks like the cause to me and why it is flung all over.

 

off base but check the diff vent tube.
Keep tabs on the level in the diff as well.