Greetings. Bottom line is my recently replaced inner rear axle seals are both (left and right side) leaking. Here's the story.
On my '97 4Runner the rear axle housing was rusting out badly at the differential. I read this is common in the eastern states with road salt. So, this summer I found a used axle housing out of OR, had it shipped in and did the full swap. This included:
- new inner seals (National #1960 from Advance Auto as opposed to Toyota #310-5006).
- new Toyota parts for both sides: bearing, outer dust seal, big O-ring, snap ring (I was able to re-use the retainers)
- for the removal and installation I did not use a press but rather was able to perform the overhead slam on concrete approach
(http://128.83.80.200/taco/rwb.html) to separate the two retainers, speed cnt. rotor, and snap ring.
Everything went back into place fine. The new inner seals were no problem to install and seemed to be in correctly. The truck probaby only has 600 miles on since rebuild. Now I find leaks on both sides (soaked the new shoes too.) So I removed the axles and have both on the bench. Inner seals look fine. The outer retainers have polished rings suggesting the inner seals are riding properly. I do note there is play in the bearings but don't know if is normal or not.
Could it be:
- Should have used Toyota inner seals vs. Nationals?
- I saw a post by someone who replaced seals 6 times to no avail and finally deduced the whole axle housing was bent. Seems like a long shot?
- Maybe the new bearings are bad having play that in turn leads to leaks at the inner seals? With the axles now on the bench I find there is play in the bearings when holding the backing plate and moving the axle up and down. I don't know if play is normal.
Thanks for insights you might offer.
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