Rear Axel Seals Leak After Install

Long timer lurker, first post. I have a 2002 Tacoma Extra Cab, 3.4 Manual Transmission.

I replaced my rear axle seals(non, ABS) and pressed out and replaced the bearings this weekend. I also flipped the retainer rings so the bevel is facing the bearings for more mating surface. I confirmed that the retainer ring and seals were mating with a healthy margin using grease on ring on a test fit.

After a 75 mile ride, both seals are leaking. After reflecting on the install, I'm thinking I might have stretched out the inner rubber on the seal when I used the custom press tool to hammer the seal into the axle housing.

The tool had a flat disc with a tube that had a diameter that was slightly larger than the retainer ring. Would that have been enough to ruin the seals?

Is there anything else I should be checking when I go out to rip the axle apart again.

 

Are they leaking or is it residual oil? Did you change the drums and clean off the backing plate well?

Did you bolt the axle shaft in with grease on the retainer or just push in and check with grease?

The tapered end may be biting you a bit, but I've installed them backwards and had no issues.

Otherwise, new seal, wash and try again.

 

It's definitely leaking. Smells like gear oil and the side that wasn't leaking before this weekend had wheel well splatter by the time I got home today. I left a bit of grease on the retainer. Would that cause an issues? I was a littler unsure as to weather or not this seal need a bit of grease.

 

I use silaglyde on the seal and shaft when testing depth, grease isn't ideal but shouldn't cause an issue.

 

Well the good news is ......just the seal all by itself is easy to do.....redo.......

I was cautious about flipping that ring.....
I pre stretch mine by putting those rings in each seal for a week before install to let em stretch a little...

Then I lube them real good and very very carefully wiggle them in to insert in that seal when sliding axle back in....
and then prayed alot......

Froze the seals last 24 to shrink for easy peasy insertion.....

If you want to check where that ring is touching.....watch those timmy vids.....and he puts a bunch of grease on ring....dry fits.....
and then you can check exactly where the seal is touching.....


Really bad news, if you dont flip, it will most likely be fine......
for a while....according to the 4-runners.....
....but may only affect 4x4's..........