Rear Differential Leak - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

nofear4189 · 09-14-2005, 05:07 PM

whats the best way to fix this leak in my Rear Differential. I occasionally wipe the area to see if the leak reoccurs, and it has the past few times. It looks like it is mostly coming from the drain pug, but also looks like some is coming from the bolts where the drive shaft comes into the rear. I was thinking of just draining the thing and putting some gasket maker on the plug threads to stop or slow the leak there, but i guess i hafta take out all the bolts and put in a new gasket for all the bolts. Is this hard? Is there an easier way?

thanks, -Adam

sonofmayhem · 09-14-2005, 07:43 PM

did you check to see if the bolts were tightened all the way, torqued correctly? otherwise try some locktite first, it might seal the bolt's threading. just my 2cents

***Bakemono*** · 09-14-2005, 07:53 PM

Do as SOM said and tighten the bolts all the way first and if that doesnt work just replace the gasket.
Its not all that hard of a job to do.

Cap'n

rogerman · 09-15-2005, 01:34 AM

yeah id clean it up a bit check the nuts. if it occurs again drain it and check the seal you might have to it done professionaly.

nofear4189 · 09-15-2005, 06:08 AM

i did half-heartedly try to tighten them, but tonite ill spend more time on it. They didnt seem too lose, but i guess it only takes a little to let it leak. Does anybody know off hand what size the drain plug and fill plug are? I dont have a socket large enough for them, so ill hafta go get noe. I tried to measure it with my one adjustable, and it was like 15/16", but the bolt is probably metric.

Thanks,
-Adam

rbinc · 09-15-2005, 10:15 AM

From the photo, it looks like it may be leaking from the pinion seal AND from the pumpkin flange.

To do this correctly, you need to remove both rear axles (4 bolts each on a flange on the backing plates), remove the pumpkin from the housing, remove and replace the pinion seal (and check to see if the seal is leaking due to a bad bearing or loose pinion nut), clean it up and reinstall with a new gasket. If you decide to do this, BUY A GASKET and do not just use silicone. Silicone will work, but everything has to be extremely clean, properly torqued and given time to cure.

Really not that tough of a job. Be happy to answer any questions you have.

Regards

Free84Pickup · 09-15-2005, 10:37 PM

I use a 15/16 socket and it works fine.

nofear4189 · 09-16-2005, 09:37 PM

today i tightened up the 12mm bolts around there where it meets. They wernt too loose, but loose enough to tighten up a little. I checked it out some more, and there is a leak from the area where the drive shaft bolts onto the rear. You can see its a little wet in the pic, but it didnt seem wet enough like it is currently leaking, jsut almost like a residue from a leak before. I wiped it clean and will check it again maybe tomorrow and see if it has started to leak again. Hopefully this week ill get a 15/16" socket (currently i only have up to like 3/4" in the toolbox), and some GL4 and change the rear oil and see if it really is leaking at the drain plug. Im kinda worried about it maybe having a bad bearing (clicking noise coming from either the rear or drive shaft at slow speeds) is occuring, so i may have to get our mechanic to check it out. Id try to do it myself, but its kinda risky for me becuase if i screw something up when im taking it appart, i wont have alot of $ to fix the problem, and what i broke. and/or if i mess it up, i wont have anything to drive until its fixed. For now tho, ill just check the fluid level and keep an eye on the leak, and an ear of the clicking noise. Thanks for all the help.

-Adam