Rear Diff Leak??

It’s obviously very apparent that there is fluid coming from out from my rear diff. The question is from where. Can anyone identify what this little knob is on top of the diff. It seems like it is coming from there(I wiped it off so you can see it better) The drain plug is fine and the back side of the diff where the bolts are don’t seem to be seeping. The leak seems to start from the top and work its way down. No fluid ever hits the ground which is why I never noticed it in the first place. Any insight would be great!!

 

That's the diff breather.

 

And is it supposed to leak diff fluid? Or would it not leak and it is coming from a different location

 

no, check fluid level and make sure it actually breathes.

 

Clean and degrease the whole thing first, you're not going to be able to detect where the leak is coming from in its current state.

 

No it vents air inside of the diff, but if air is vented when that piece is submerged under water then water can get sucked into the diff.

 

I noticed super light seepage like that on my 06 back in like 2014. A buddy and I pulled them axles, opened her up, cleaned the old crap off, applied some good ol gasket sealant, closed it back up and refilled with diff oil. Not a sign of the problem since then. Maybe 30 dollars in fluids and our time is what it took.

 

Some run the vent up behind the left tail light, here's an option.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...kits-30-free-shipping-or-free-install.641193/