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Seal Leaking?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by mluckey, May 21, 2019.

  1. May 21, 2019 at 5:25 PM
    #1
    mluckey

    mluckey [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2004 AND 2003 2.7L Tacoma PreRunner, AT, Ext. Cab
    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
     
  2. May 21, 2019 at 6:32 PM
    #2
    eforayter

    eforayter Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  3. May 21, 2019 at 7:47 PM
    #3
    Glamisman

    Glamisman Well-Known Member

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    check the breather cap on the third member... if it is clogged pressure builds up inside the and pushes lube out the axle seals.
     
    cruiserguy likes this.
  4. May 22, 2019 at 2:37 PM
    #4
    mluckey

    mluckey [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2014
    Member:
    #121233
    Messages:
    84
    Gender:
    Male
    Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2004 AND 2003 2.7L Tacoma PreRunner, AT, Ext. Cab
    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
     
    jbrandt likes this.
  5. May 22, 2019 at 3:23 PM
    #5
    Glamisman

    Glamisman Well-Known Member

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    short answer, no... you just might have fixed it for FREE!
     
    jbrandt likes this.
  6. May 22, 2019 at 4:38 PM
    #6
    mluckey

    mluckey [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2014
    Member:
    #121233
    Messages:
    84
    Gender:
    Male
    Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2004 AND 2003 2.7L Tacoma PreRunner, AT, Ext. Cab
    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
     

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