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O-Ring Fell Out During Diff Oil Change

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by foy1der, Oct 20, 2024.

  1. Oct 20, 2024 at 3:58 PM
    #1
    foy1der

    foy1der [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Just like the title says. This o-ring fell out of the drain hole when I was changing the rear diff fluid. It's on a 2017 TDR-OR with the locking diff. I poked around for a bit but I can't make heads or tails on what it's for. There's a part of me that wants to say that it was already broken when I drained the fluid, and it wasn't leaking so let sleeping dogs lie.

    Anyone else had this happen?
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  2. Oct 20, 2024 at 4:20 PM
    #2
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    That seems kinda weird. I've drained a lot of diffs over the years but never had something like that exit!
     
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  3. Oct 20, 2024 at 4:21 PM
    #3
    Buck Henry

    Buck Henry Well-Known Member

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    Which differerential? I know one of the differential access plugs is big but it ain't that big. Honestly, that looks like a buggard up old filter cartridge o-ring left over from an oil change to me?
     
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  4. Oct 20, 2024 at 4:23 PM
    #4
    Toycoma2021

    Toycoma2021 Well-Known Member

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    I have no experience with the internals of the Toyota E-locker internals, but that does not look like anything that would come from a regular open differential. There is a thread on here somewhere that shows all the locker internal parts - someone took one apart and documented it.

    Pinon seal? No, would have to get past the bearing to enter the pumpkin.
    Axel seal? Is the only possibility I can see.

    Can't make out the profile of the seal, looks to be "L" shaped.

    Is it possible this O-ring was left in the bottom of your drain pan from some other prior work?
     
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  5. Oct 20, 2024 at 4:34 PM
    #5
    NC Gazzer

    NC Gazzer Well-Known Member

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    [QUOTE="Toycoma2021, post: 30209654, member: 351607"
    Is it possible this O-ring was left in the bottom of your drain pan from some other prior work?[/QUOTE]

    This has my vote unless, of course, the OP actually saw it exiting the drain port.
     
  6. Oct 20, 2024 at 5:24 PM
    #6
    foy1der

    foy1der [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I personally saw the broken oring hanging out of the rear diff drain plug after the oil finished draining. I pulled it and this big ring came out.
     
  7. Oct 20, 2024 at 5:32 PM
    #7
    Rusty66

    Rusty66 Ain’t Afraid

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    If the the diff locks fine and doesn’t make noise, I say send it. Looks like a wheel bearing O ring, watch for an axle seal leak.
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2024
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  8. Oct 20, 2024 at 5:47 PM
    #8
    jerrybear

    jerrybear Well-Known Member

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    Rear axle o-ring?
     
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  9. Oct 20, 2024 at 5:48 PM
    #9
    jerrybear

    jerrybear Well-Known Member

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  10. Oct 20, 2024 at 5:51 PM
    #10
    helix66

    helix66 Well-Known Member

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    How would that get past the more inboard oil seal?
     
  11. Oct 20, 2024 at 5:52 PM
    #11
    foy1der

    foy1der [OP] Well-Known Member

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    And all the way down the axle shaft?
     
  12. Oct 20, 2024 at 6:27 PM
    #12
    bfonic

    bfonic Well-Known Member

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    Maybe the axle oil seal rubber split apart?
     
  13. Oct 20, 2024 at 7:03 PM
    #13
    Toycoma2021

    Toycoma2021 Well-Known Member

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    If this is the case a careful inspection of the rubber edges may show a jagged edge on one side. OP could get out a magnifying glass and take a very good looksee at both edges of the rubber.
     
  14. Oct 20, 2024 at 8:12 PM
    #14
    t0p_d0g

    t0p_d0g 私はタコマが大好きです

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    My vote is inner axle seal.
     
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  15. Oct 20, 2024 at 8:40 PM
    #15
    BLtheP

    BLtheP Constantly Tinkering Member

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    That’s not a thing. There is a pinion seal and two axle seals, one at each end of the housing that the wheel bearing retainer seals to. I suppose it’s possible for part of an outer seal to come apart and make its way down the tube, but that’s a decently long journey to end up at the drain and not be sucked up into something else like a bearing first.
     
  16. Oct 20, 2024 at 8:40 PM
    #16
    BLtheP

    BLtheP Constantly Tinkering Member

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    Where is the inboard oil seal?
     
  17. Oct 20, 2024 at 8:48 PM
    #17
    Toycoma2021

    Toycoma2021 Well-Known Member

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    See link supplied in Post #9.
     
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  18. Oct 20, 2024 at 8:50 PM
    #18
    BLtheP

    BLtheP Constantly Tinkering Member

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    The piece in the photo doesn’t really resemble anything in the rear axle assembly. From what I can recall, I don’t believe the o-rings that go onto the end of the axle tube are squared off like the ring in the photo. They are round, IIRC. There are only 3 seals, 2 axle shaft seals and 1 pinion. Unlikely any part of the pinion seal could have broken off and made its way past the 2 pinion bearings and out the drain plug without being chopped up. Axle seal is more feasible but still unlikely.

    My bet is on some sort of manufacturing debris that put a foreign part in there. I can’t think of anything else it would be.

    Courtesy of @Jowett, here is the diagram for the locker. It looks sort of similar to the part on the bottom row, second from the left, but even then, that part looks metal. Hard to tell.

    IMG_7126.jpg

    If all functions properly, I’d toss it and keep driving.
     
  19. Oct 20, 2024 at 8:54 PM
    #19
    BLtheP

    BLtheP Constantly Tinkering Member

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    I’m probably being nitpicky. I’ve replaced the diffs and the axle bearings before so I’m familiar with what is where. There’s only one seal + an exterior o-ring per side. To me, “inboard” implied there’s something sealing at the diff itself, which of course there isn’t. Anyways, I don’t think the part in the photos looks anything like o-ring anyways so for that to get past the seal would indeed be one hell of a task.
     
  20. Oct 20, 2024 at 9:07 PM
    #20
    t0p_d0g

    t0p_d0g 私はタコマが大好きです

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    It’s the inner hub assembly O ring directly behind the brakes.
     

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