Leaking front end, Safe to drive???

[taco99trd]

I just got back from a wheeling trip, and I noticed a puddle of gear oil under the front end. It is coming from where the driver side axle enters the front diff. I noticed a bit of up and down play, also. I assume it is a bearing and seal I need. My question is, will I ruin my front diff by driving 25 miles to work a day? I won't have time to tackle it till next weekend. I assume it will only get down to the level of the axle, so some fluid should remain. I have add so it will be spinning constantly. any input would be appriciated. Thanks :(

[Eztrog88]

better safe then sorry... if it were me, i'd grab a rental for the week, or catch a ride to work and back. The rental may cost more than a new set of gears for the dif. but it'll save you some trouble.

[CronusTRD]

you will be fine, just keep topping it off.

Rental...rightttttttttttt.

Mine has been leaking steadily for two years and no problems

[taco99trd]

yeah, right now its leaking pretty good, I assume it will be down to the level of the axle soon, so topping it off probably wont do any good . It will drain before I can get to work. How hard is it to replace the bearing??

[CronusTRD]

You don't need a bearing, just the seal.

It runs about $4 from the dealer, and can be installed in an hour or so.

I highly doubt it is leaking fast enough to leak out 3 liters of gear oil.

To fix it:

Remove Tire
Remove Hub Cap
Remove Cotter Pin and Locknut (35mm socket)
Remove 4 bolts at below lower ball joint.
Move assembly out of way and pop out the CV (held in with a retaining clip, may need pry bar)
Use a seal puller and remove the old seal.
Use a piece of pipe the same diameter of the seal to insert new seal straightly.

There you go.

Reverse directions for the repair.

[taco99trd]

Is there supposed to be play in the axle? I remember there being a little, but not as much as there is now. It is leaking pretty good. It has been on my driveway for two hours and there is a puddle about 8 inches in diameter.

[CronusTRD]

Sounds like the C-Clip on the axle is broken, and letting the axle slide out, breaking the seal.

That being said, I drove 12 hours (600 miles) to the Takeover a few years ago with the same problem and my front diff has been fine.

[taco99trd]

So I probably need a new axle. I was debating replacing it anyway while I had it out. It has 104k on it. I did hit some pretty good whoops today and bottomed out the suspension. Im happy I probably dont need a bearing.

[CronusTRD]

you don't need an axle, just a c-clip. Get one from the dealership. A CV rebuild kit is about $30 and will include a new clip.

[taco99trd]

Ok. thanks man for the quick replies. Ill probably just go get an axle at autozone because I can get it at wholesale, and I wont have to deal with the rebuild.

[John Luttrell]

You will be fine driving it, like said before me, keep it topped off every other day. And I'll be a 6 pack that all you need is a seal............they all have a little slop in them.

[taco99trd]

If it turns out I do need a bearing, can it be replaced from outside, or will I need to remove the diff?

[cooper4x4]

I have had that problem and it has leaked for a week before I had a chance to change it out. An easier way to pull the CV is just to remove the 4 lower ball joint bolts. Then you can just pull the whole assembly out of the way without having to completely take out the CV.

[surfpunk]

if you just dont put it in 4wd you should be fine. i have my driverside axle completely out, havent replaced it yet, but as long as you dont put it in 4wd nothing should be moving in the differential.

just make sure when you fix it to fill er back up

[GoHack]

If you have manual hubs then nothing turns.

[taco99trd]

Ive got ADD, so it is turning.

[jtaco1]

I have the same thing with my 99, but on the passenger side. Gonna take care of it tomarrow.

[TacoCrazy]

"Remove Cotter Pin and Locknut (34mm socket)"

Just FYI...It's 35mm, incase you go after a socket..

[CronusTRD]

"Remove Cotter Pin and Locknut (34mm socket)"

Just FYI...It's 35mm, incase you go after a socket..


Fixed thanks. I am coming off a 3 day weekend binge drinking trip.

[taco99trd]

sweet. I just got back from the parts store and got a 34mm. Thanks for all the info, though. I got a new axle at CAP for $58 at wholesale and a seal which was $14 at Toyota. Hopefully this will do the trick.