Rear end work and possible swap

I have a 04 SR5 extra cab 2 wheel drive manual tanny. I was told buy a mech that my rear end was shot. According to him when he grabbed the axle it had way to much play. I noticed when I was underneath I had a leak that appears to be coming from the tail housing area because of the pattern of fluid is mainly located there. Am I correct to assume that since there is play in the axle and the leakage around there that the bearing in that area is shot and that needs to be replaced and should fix it

 

Depends on where that play is. Could just be wheel bearings, if the wheel has slop compared to the axle housing.

The "tail housing" is not very descriptive. Is the leak coming from the side of the axle housing where the wheel is mounted, or from the center, where the third member is bolted to the axle housing?



I don't think any of those things necessarily mean your whole axle is "shot". Bearings, seals and gaskets are all replaceable items, but some do require special tools (like a bearing puller).

A diff fluid leak can be a bad thing if it has leaked enough out that the differential is now dry, but even then, you can replace those damaged parts without replacing the entire rear end.

It's possible that there are enough things wrong that it may be more cost effective for the mechanic to just replace the entire axle housing, and if that's the case, replacing the axle housing is actually a lot "easier" to do yourself, since all you're doing is unbolting the axle from the leaf springs, etc, rather than messing with bearings and seals (which can suck if not done properly).

 

I believe the leak is located where the drive shaft goes into to rear end. That's where there was alot of spray from lubes on the frame and bottom of the bed. I'm sorry for not being clearer. The mechanic said the drive shaft was what was sloppy and moving around. How would I check if it was seal or bearing where the drive shaft inserts into to rear end housing

 

I gotcha...

Not that it makes a huge difference, are we talking about a 5 lug, or a 6 lug truck?

So it sounds like you have a worn out pinion bearing (and seal) in your third member. I've never done something like that, actually, but those parts are replaceable.

I'm not saying these are the exact parts you need, but here's an example of rebuild kits for toyota differentials (this is for a 4x4/6 lug):

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyo...r-install-kit-t100-tacoma-8-4-ng-mk-t100.html

Bearings, seal, etc...

 

Ok thank it's a 5 lug. I love my truck I just dont want to drop a fortune into her. Shes got 325k on her and up till now been doing great.

 

Keep the diff full of 75w/90 and run it till you really have to replace it or get tired of refilling it.

 

This may sound like an odd question to you but. Do you live in a flood prone area and/or has the differential been submerged in water?

 

No. No water damage and no flooding. I would drive it but the last day I did it started making a bad grinding/whining sounds. That what made me take it to the mechanic

 

I would consider taking it back to the mechanic, or just speaking with him about it and ask him why he thinks "the rear end is shot". If it's just a pinion bearing, those can be replaced for, I'd imagine, a couple hundred bucks inlc labor.

Was it grinding while moving it? If that's the case, there may be more to the damage, but still likely repairable. Perhaps a new (or rebuilt) third member, which is the cone-shaped piece the drive shaft bolts to. That is bolted in the axle housing, and here's a vid on how you can replace it.

Timmy is a member here. There's even a plug there for a new/rebuilt diff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMTbgY1xQKk

 

It would just whine and grind between 30 to 70 mph. And only when accelerating. But I will check that out. Is there a way I can check to see if it's just the pinion bearing

 

A little late to mention diff noiseBig symptom to omit on 1st post

 

If you've got gear oil leaking from the pinion shaft and also noticeable play then you may have a worn crush sleeve on the pinion bearing . This will loosen up the clearance between the pinion and ring gear causing excessive wear

Also besides the crush sleeve being worn you pinion flange nut has become loose . You won't be able to retorque that nut to get proper preload on the crush sleeve

 

Sorry about not mentioning noise. I am trying to remember everything. I'm out of town working and trying to get a idea of what I can look for when I get back home to it. Thanks everyone for the help so far. When I get home I will post a video of my findings. Thanks again

 

Alright was finally able to get under truck here's what I got.https://vimeo.com/367609627