Seal Leaking?

2004 Tacoma Prerunner, ABS and e-locker. Noticed diff fluid leaking at rear wheel. At first I thought that it was brake fluid, but no suck luck.

What's the damage? Rear wheel bearing seems fine (no play). I'm new to the truck world and really think that I don't have the time to dick around with it. Is this something that Toyota would do and make it worth my time or something that I should do myself?

Just trying to figure out options here.

Mark

 

Axle seal, very common for the Tacomas at this age. I recommend replacing the bearings while you are there because you need to pull the axle out anyway. Lots of shops will only charge you $40-50 to press off old one and press on new ones. Rebuild kits can be found for around $100 a side. You will save a ton of money doing it yourself, but if you have the coin and just want it done/aren't mechanically inclined, I'd pay a shop to do it.

 

check the breather cap on the third member... if it is clogged pressure builds up inside the and pushes lube out the axle seals.

 

OK, so I got under the truck, found the breather and it was stuck (would not move). It was under some sort of rust proofing and 15 years of road grime. I twisted it pretty hard and pulled up and was able to work it loose. I plan to wash the wheels and use a can of brake cleaner on the brakes just to clean and see if it leaks any more.

Would this leak have damaged the wheel bearings? There's no play that I can feel.

Mark

 

short answer, no... you just might have fixed it for FREE!

 

Woot! More money for a pint (or three!).

I just got this truck, and It's almost a twin to my other Tacoma that I bought several years back. It has a Toyota installed frame (Rust...I assume and UPC sticker was still on it!). In general it's in great shape (for it's age), and I want to keep it that way because I have other obligations for my time (mountain-biking, car racing and beer drinking). If I can get it through the winter, I'll spend some time rebuilding the rear-end and other general issues and make it my car-towing, bike-hauling and keg-toting work-horse and all-around friend.

Mark