U joints, carrier bearing and rear transmission seal

First let me apologise if this has been covered but I spent quite a bit of time searching for this and "how-to"s but didn't find anything.

I have a 2007 Prerunner SR5 4 door with the V-6 and 5 speed auto, with 115,000 miles. It is all stock except for the audio system inside.

The truck started to have a vibration in the 1000 to 2000 rpm range regardless of vehicle speed. A tech who used to work for Toyota suggested that I take it to Toyota to have the World Standard transmission flush to start to eliminate the possibility of a torque converter issue. The flush is reccomended at about 100k miles and since I bought the truck used with about 80K miles and no record of it having been done, I followed his suggestion.

However the vibration is still there. It occurs when the drive line is loaded, when I take my foot off the gas, it goes away.

The Toyota dealer said that the rear U joint is bad and recomended replacing all three U joints, the carrier bearing and stated that the rear transmission seal is leaking.

As an aircraft mechanic, I have no problem doing the U joints and the carrier bearing but the Toyota dealer said that a special tool was needed to replace the transmission rear seal.

Can anybody shed any light on this. And because it apparently requires special equipment to properly service the transmission, I would hate to loose fluid when replacing the rear seal.

Thanks in advance to any who can help here.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/270255-diy-how-replace-output-shaft-seal.html

 

Don't see how a leaking tranny seal would cause a vibration. Different issue.

Address the u-joints first, they may have never been lubed and at least one has gone bad. First, get a grease gun, and lube them real good. Might be a cheap fix.

I've had my truck for almost 4 years now, and lube them at least once per year. No vibrations at any speed.

 

Thanks for the link. Good write-up. I don't know why I couldn't find that but thanks again. I have changed hundreds of chevron seals and this will be no different. I can't figure what the dealer had in mind with a "special tool". I know there are tools for seating seals but as you depicted, it can be done easily with many things. I have used large sockets many times to do the same thing.

 

Well the leak didn't have anything to do with the vibration. It was just noted when the tech at the Toyota shop was looking under the truck inspecting the drive shaft.

I will certainly do regular grease jobs on the new U joints but I don't think my origional equipment drive shaft/U joints have a provision for greasing. I have also already noted that not all aftermarket U joints do not have grease fittings, while some do.

Thanks for the input.

 

U joints replaced, rear transmission seal changed, vibration gone. Thanks to all.