Rear Axle Seals- Thoughts on this?

So I am replacing the rear axle seals. Have diff oil leaking onto the rear brakes and slowly onto the rims. Changed the breather a while ago that seemed to help a little. Decided I would change the seals. I have read to also replace the wheel bearings however the bearings seem fine- no noise, no movement. Has anyone had luck just changing the seals to stop the leaking?

Anyways took the one side apart tonight and the seal looked good. (Could it still be leaking if it wasn't damaged looking/moved at all)

What is somewhat concerning is that there is two gouges (chipped metal) on both sides of the axle housing. See picture ---> https://ibb.co/GvDqjNm
Could that cause a problem? I don't think the gouges are deep enough so the seal will cover that up and not leak. Not sure how that happened. I don't believe the axle to have ever been out before.

I am also wondering does anyone recognize this "circular spring" ---> https://ibb.co/7R6rtRN
When I pulled the axle it was chilling in the axle housing behind the seal.

Appreciate any input. Thanks Everyone!

 

You know what now that I look at a couple youtube videos I think those "gouges" are normal/ by design from Toyota. I thought it was chipped lol. Anyone know about the spring?

 

The circular spring is part of the seal. It’s what keeps it tight to the axle shaft.
It’s not unusual for the spring to come out when removing the seal.

As for the chips in the housing. I don’t recall mine having those.
But it’s been about 6 years since I did mine.

Just doing the seal did fix the leak until about 1 year ago
Mine started leaking once again, but then it stopped all on its own.
But maybe that was due to the breather once again being stuck?
Replaced the breather and I haven’t had any leaks since. Weird?

 

Appreciate the help! Should the spring go into the back of the new seal I got from Toyota?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orgTOUsD52Q&ab_channel=SouthMainAutoRepairLLC
this video you can see the chipped parts haha.
Yeah Im just going to do the seals. The bearings are $300 each from Toyota and I don't have a shop press.

 

Yes, spring goes in back.

 

So no matter how much you degrease, it will spray oil again.

The bearing is soaked in oil and will spray.

The shoes and drums absorb the oil and will bleed oil over time.

You need to clean the ever living shit out of it, drive it some, and clean it over and over with the drum off. Or you'll just have so much residual oil that it looks like a leak.

The most common complaint I see is the drums lock up when they are hot. So be careful.

You are correct about the notches and the seal spring.

 

Ahh its late and im dumb. The new seals have the spring already in them derp!

 

Yeah, I used about 2 cans of brake clean just cleaning the shoes and components.

 

That's interesting. I replaced the vent and it slowed down so maybe its just residual oil. Maybe the bearing might go out now that its not getting constant lubrication lol.

 

While I haven’t experienced myself. I’ve heard you can potentially knock the spring out/loose when installing the seal if you beat on it too hard. Just stick a finger in there and feel if it “fell out”.
You will be fine. If I can do it, you can do it.

My biggest issues was getting the brake line tight.
I must have not gotten it tight when I put it all back together.
I was shocked the next morning when I seen fluid on the backing plate again.
But I quickly traced it to the brake line at the wheel cylinder. Tightened it up, and all is good.

 

The bearing is sealed. It doesn’t get lubed by diff fluid.
Diff fluid kills bearings.

FWIW, I’m still on my OE rear bearing.
Did mine at 79k. I’m at almost 136k now.