Rear diff oil leak, What seal is do I order?

After pulling a car on a trailer for 700 plus miles with my Taco, I noticed the rear diff/axle area covered in diff oil spray. I then sprayed off the entire axle with engine cleaner, pressure washed off all the oil and waited for a leak to spring up so I could narrow down the area/leak. I did check the "diff oil" b/c I thought that it would be low from the oil leak, and found out that the oil was a coffee creamer color. So I drained it and replaced it with new diff fluid. After driving and not finding any leak yet, I parked the Taco backwards on my inclined driveway overnight, the oil then began to leak from the front bottom of the diff where the drive shaft is attached. Below is the picture of what I found.

2003 Taco V6


My question is, "What is the name of the "BEST" seal that I need to order to stop this leak?" Also, I did replace both of the outer axle seals recently, so its not the axles seals. I did not find any other areas leaking top, bottom or rear side, only the front of diff.

Also is there a video link showing how to go about this job?

Thanks for any help..new guy

 

The leak began in the red circle..

 

That sir, is your pinion seal. You have to remove the driveshaft, then your pinion yoke. I would suggest inspecting the yoke to make sure that you don't have something caught up in it, or a burr on the yoke. Then replace the seal.

 

What is the BEST replacement seal? Should I get one from toyota? I usually get all my parts from Oreillys...

 

In addition to what BamaToy mentions, you may have some bearing issues going on also. It is never good when your diff oil looks like coffee creamer. That is an indication that water got into the diff oil which can ruin bearings in short order. The leaking seal could be a result of the pinion bearing going bad. Does the pinion shaft wiggle or move from side to side at all? Can you move it by hand?

 

Make sure your breather is functional. Towing causes a quick build-up of pressure, which can force gear oil out of an otherwise good seal, if the breather is restricted. Spiders, and dirt love to block them up.