leaking axle seal

Fluid smells like stinky gear oil?

I haven't done this, but have an idea about what's going on. Not a simple job. You'll have to pull the axle out. There's an inner seal that's in the axle tube, an outer seal for the rear hub bearing and the backing plate-to-axle o-ring. Be sure to top-off your diff. too. Better yet, service it by draining/filling it.

For 01-04 but yours is similar (if not the same): http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/2003/Repair_Manual/03tacoma/sa/ras/comp.pdf
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/2003/Repair_Manual/03tacoma/sa/ras/remo.pdf

Its not exactly an easy fix. You have to pull the axle out which is basically the easiest part. Then you have to seperate the axle from the backing plate to get to the outer seal which requires a press. At this point you might as well get the bearing and both inner and outer seals. The bearings are kind of expensive and there is two different syles. The 01-04 bearing can be had after market but the outer seal is dealer only. My Taco had a 95-00 on the driver side and an 01-04 on the passenger side(junk yard axle from P.O.) when I did mine so it was a real pain in the a$$ to get the parts right. I have one of each bearing and I know I have 2 outer seals for the 95-00, let me know if you need em.

yea it smells terrible

how much for the bearings shipped to 47630?

EVILTacoSupreme said:

yea it smells terrible

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switch to synthetic and it won't smell as bad

FYI its the inner seal that leaks 90% of the time, easy to change, and you do not have to separate the drum assy. Done about 20 of them

Remove the 4 bolts on the back of the drum assy/axle flange, remove 10mm brake line from back of wheel cylinder, pull axle out remove and replace inner seal, reassemble and your done...

EVILTacoSupreme said:

how much for the bearings shipped to 47630?

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Let me check when I get home and make sure I deffinately have the bearing, I would only have 1 but I know for sure I have 2 outer seals.

Speed Freek said:

FYI its the inner seal that leaks 90% of the time, easy to change, and you do not have to separate the drum assy. Done about 20 of them

Remove the 4 bolts on the back of the drum assy/axle flange, remove 10mm brake line from back of wheel cylinder, pull axle out remove and replace inner seal, reassemble and your done...

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But his brakes wouldnt be getting wet if it was just the inner seal and the outer was doing its job, right?

Fatalaczach said:

Let me check when I get home and make sure I deffinately have the bearing, I would only have 1 but I know for sure I have 2 outer seals.


But his brakes wouldnt be getting wet if it was just the inner seal and the outer was doing its job, right?

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yea because my left rear brake pads and everything on the inside is covered in oil

I havent been home to check if I have the bearing yet but if I do have it I'd say $40 shipped. The bearing was $35 and the seals were around $8 each and then $5 for USPS shipping. I'll update you when I get home to make sure I have it.

Fatalaczach said:

Let me check when I get home and make sure I deffinately have the bearing, I would only have 1 but I know for sure I have 2 outer seals.


But his brakes wouldnt be getting wet if it was just the inner seal and the outer was doing its job, right?

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No, the inner seal WILL allow oil to pass into the drum assembly. The inner seal is far more prone to failing than the outside, generally for the outside seal to be bad the bearing will fail causing the outside seal to get damaged.

I am not saying the outer seal is good for sure, but it is rare for them to fail if the bearing is still good.

Ok I have 1 bearing that fits your truck and the 2 outer seals, $40 shipped let me know.

Speed Freek said:

No, the inner seal WILL allow oil to pass into the drum assembly. The inner seal is far more prone to failing than the outside, generally for the outside seal to be bad the bearing will fail causing the outside seal to get damaged.

I am not saying the outer seal is good for sure, but it is rare for them to fail if the bearing is still good.

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Makes sense. How else would the bearing get lubed if not from the gear oil that the inner seal let by?

Stock Taco said:

Makes sense. How else would the bearing get lubed if not from the gear oil that the inner seal let by?

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same way the front wheel bearings get lubed.. :shrug:

Chris D. said:

same way the front wheel bearings get lubed.. :shrug:

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Exactly, they are sealed bearings.

Huh. What was I thinking Tacomas use non-sealed rear axle bearings. :selfbonk:

so most likely my inner seal is bad right? if not then my outer is?

uhhhhh yaaa.. sure, you betcha..

EVILTacoSupreme said:

so most likely my inner seal is bad right? if not then my outer is?

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Right, do the inners first since they are far easier and you can do them yourself, the outers require a press or other clever engineering and are far more difficult.