Rear Axle Seal Replacement

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Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 09:50:14 -0500
From: Ed.Wong@astramerck.com
Subject: Rear axle oil seal replacement
To: rogerb@pisco.engr.sgi.com, Toy4x4@tlca.org

Roger Asked:
>> Snip
How much work is involved in replacing a rear seal and are any special tools
required?
<<<

It depends on what seal is "blown".

There is a seal inside the axle tube - kinda like a rear pinion seal,
and there is an "O Ring" type seal that goes around the
outside of the axle housing.

I had this happen (at 9K miles so it was under warranty). However,
I had pulled the drum off to look at it thinking that the brakes
were toast. In any case - the dealer fixed it (also threw in a
new bearing) so I dunno what they actually replaced and I think
the reciept for that repair (1/90) is really buried.

It appears that (at least on my truck) there is a "weep" type
hole that allowed the gear oil to leak to the outside w/o
affecting the brakes. In any case - no oil on the brakes
and oil all over the rim of the wheel.

Its a pretty simple job.
The biggest PITA is disconnecting the brake line (and the
re-bleed that you need to do). Thextron makes a fluid plug
that makes life easier (or make a screw on block off plug
for the brake fitting - I think its 6mmx1.0 thread).

Its a 4 nut deal on the backing plate.

On the drum - there are two threaded (8mmx1.25 or 10mmx1.25)
holes that can be used to back the drum off. Put one bolt in each
hole and give them alternating 1/2 turns. Make sure the brake shoe
is retracted FIRST.

While you are up close and intimate - lube the bell crank.

Oh yeah - you could use a new cotterpin for the bell crank
cable - I use a paper clip in a pinch :)

Ummm - a 10mm flare wrench helps - although the Sears Craftsman
ones seem a bit "big" for some reason.

The o ring comes off real easy.
The inner seal may require a punch or a screwdriver. My favorite
is to use a spring loaded center punch on the "metal" part of the
seal and then insert a scredriver into the resulting hole.

Have fun!

EWong

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Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 09:51:27 -0700
From: "Jay Kopycinski" 
Subject: Rear axle oil seal replacement
To: Toyota 4x4 List 

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"Roger Brown P.E."  wrote:

>I've recently noticed a gear oil leaking onto one of my rear wheels.  Its an
>'85 4Runner and its definitely gear oil, not brake fluid.  About 6 months ago
>I had the rear bearings and oil seals replaced (at a shop).  I assume the oil
>seal is the source of the leak (any other things to look at?).

Only one place the gear oil can come from.....thru the seal.


>How much work is involved in replacing a rear seal and are any special tools
>required?

You'll have to remove the brake line, parking brake hardware, and the
four stud nuts holding the rear axle in. Slide the axle out and you will 
see the oil seal in the axle housing. You need to pry the seal out.
A seal puller works fine. I use a mini crow bar I have. 

Lube the new seal so it will slide in a little easier and install it carefully.
You can use a large round object to tap it in the housing....if you have
one that size. I have been successful at carefully tapping them in using
a hammer. Tap lightly and work your way around the circumference
to slowly work it in. 

Lube the inner diameter of the seal before installing the axle. Also, check
the area on the axle where the seal rides. Check for burrs or any other
problems that may prematurely wear the seal. If needed, you can use 
emery paper or similar to smooth the axle shaft. Clean with a rag and
reinstall the axle, brake stuff, etc. I try to keep the axle from resting on 
the seal when sliding it in, to keep from damaging or distorting the seal.


>Is it a sure thing that the brake shoes are soaked with oil and will need
>replacing?

There's a good chance they are contaminated.

Good luck.

Jay Kopycinski    '85 Toylet  (ROKTOY)

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Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 11:11:16 -0800
From: "Roger Brown P.E." 
Subject: Rear axle oil seal replacement
To: Ed.Wong@astramerck.com

Thanks for the excellent info, Ed.  Since I recently had the axle bearings and
seals (inner I think) replaced, perhaps it is the outer O-ring leaking.
 However, if oil is getting past the outer seal, it must be coming by the inner
one as well, or is there supposed to be oil along the axle shaft itself?

On the other hand, it may just be a case of a bit of "extra" gear oil.  I found
I needed a bit more oil than listed in the Owner's manual to get to the bottom
of the fill hole.  The pinion seal leaked for a short while after filling, but
then stopped (and yes, there is still oil in the diff, I've been checking).
 The axle leak seemed to show up suddenly and now seems to have tapered off.  I
think I'll watch it for a while and see how it progresses.  I'll also pull my
breather hose and see if it is still open.


- -- 
    Roger Brown, P.E.        mailto:rogerb@sgi.com
    +1.650.933.1898 (vmail)  +1.650.932.1898 (fax)
    http://reality.sgi.com/rogerb/
    Check out the SGI EuroDev Forum: http://www-devprg.sgi.de/Forum98/

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Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 13:50:47 -0700
From: "Jay Kopycinski" 
Subject: Axle seals/bearings

michael  wrote:

>Anybody remember/know how many seals and bearings there are in the front
>and rear solid axles a'la 85 4runner.  I'm looking in the manual's but I
>don't want to miss any.  The front axle is leaking my expensive Redline diff
>oil around the inner driver's side tire and rear is gonna be done also (r&p
>change).  Thanks all.

I'll try........

Rear
two dif carrier bearings
two pinion bearings
pinion seal
third member gasket
two axle tube/shaft seals
two axle tube/shaft roller ball bearings
two o-rings (at brake plate)

Front
two dif carrier bearings
two pinion bearings
pinion seal
third member gasket
two axle tube/shaft seals
two felt knuckle seals
two rubber knuckle seals
four knuckle tapered bearings
four tapered hub/spindle bearings
two spindle dust seals
two hub bearing seals
four paper knuckle/spindle gaskets
two hub base gaskets
two hub cover gaskets
two hub knob o-rings (on manual hubs)

About all I can remember........

Jay Kopycinski       '85 Toylet   (ROKTOY)

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