Differential Rear Cover Leak or RH Axle Seal Leak

[kartracer03]

This past Saturday I replaced the LH CV Halfshaft and axle seal at differential housing. When I pulled the old halfshaft, no differential fluid came out like everybody warned about. I assume I was pretty low. I pulled the drain plug and maybe 3/4-1 qt came out but was black since been in there so long. Now that I refilled the differential, I am getting a leak.

Has anybody experienced a leak from the cover on the rear of the differential where the fill bolt is? It appears it is leaking from there but it might just be running down to that point. Is there a gasket around that cover or is it RTV sealed?

I am assuming that the RH axle seal at the housing is shot and the full differential is showing the weakness in the seal. The LH and RH axle seal is the same correct???

[toyomoho]

What engine? Are you sure it is leaking from the back and not one of the axle seals? Could you have damaged a seal when replacing the shaft?

[kartracer03]

It is the 5SFE.

I was wondering if anybody had experience with that cover leaking.

I dug into it last night after I got home. I could not find any traces of leaks coming from the new driver's halfshaft and seal. I am 95% confident that is was the existing RH axle seal. Since the diff fluid level was where it was supposed to be, it leaked out the worn axle seal. When I pulled the RH halfshaft to replace the seal, no fluid leaked out at all. I replaced the seal and filled the diff back up. I took a test drive last night and could not see any leakage. After a 45 mile trip to work, I could not see any drips.

It was definitely leaking a bit since the driver's side underbody was wet.