How to replace rear axle seal on Toyota

1997 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD

[@evil_twit]

"or you use the oil filter..." Best mechanics trick and video ever :)

[@TimmyTheToolman]

I hate to tell you, but did you know Toyota redesigned this seal sometime in the past? The redesigned seal has the seal lip sitting 2mm more inboard than before. Without adjusting the inner retainer position, that seal lip is riding very close to the non-polished bevel of the retainer. If you would have performed a grease test, you would have seen where the seal lip was riding on the bevel. With a little axle play, that seal lip might ride on the bevel and prematurely fail. Another thing you don't address is the axle bearing could now be compromised due to gear oil washing the grease out of the bearing. Depending on how long the axle seal was leaking and how much oil surrounded the bearing, a little or a lot of grease could have been washed out. The bearing needs grease for proper lubrication, not oil, so you might have a ticking time bomb with that axle bearing. Finally, another person commented about the breather being clogged which could have been the cause of the axle seal to fail so that should have been checked. I like your channel because you specialize in Toyotas which I also love. So, I'm not trying to one-up you here. I've done this rear axle seal job 8 times on Toyota 4runners and have made two videos on the subject. You could say I'm one of the more knowledgeable guys for this repair and some would even consider me an expert on it. I'm just trying to share with you some information that you might not be aware of so the next time you perform this repair for someone, you'll be better informed on what needs to be done for this repair to last.

[@ToyotaMaintenance]

thanks for sharing

[@noahlandry8026]

Timmy The Toolman how does the axle seal actually seal does it seal on the axle itself or does it seal on that retainer on the abs cog??

[@relaxeful]

You are wrong on this one timmy i just ordered the seal for my 2000 4runner and i asked for the upgraded version that you mentioned in your command the part man told me the older part number finish with a 5 and the improve one with a 6 so he have the recent version of this seal

[@TimmyTheToolman]

relaxeful not sure we follow. You said he could order both part numbers?

[@relaxeful]

@@TimmyTheToolman no the part that finish with 5 is the old part the one finishing by 6 is the recent one sorry for my english

[@TemeculaDoug]

that oil filter trick was great! fit perfect

[@ToyotaMaintenance]

yes, great fit

[@markreynolds3850]

Hi, I did this seal replacement, I was surprise how easy the job was. The job was done on 1985 Toyota pickup. Bearing was in good shape.

[@elgatogordo9523]

Thank you sir for your informative videos 👍 My son’s 08 Tacoma rear right seal is leaking and this video gave us the confidence to perform this task. As your video indicates, all we need to replace are the seals, not the bearing. They wanted to charge him over $1,100 to replace the entire bearing and labor, that’s not even including replacing the drum brake which also is needed.

[@jessecooper9795]

Was it the outer axle seal?

[@elgatogordo9523]

@@jessecooper9795 We replaced the seal and the o-ring including the rear drum brakes.

[@jessecooper9795]

@@elgatogordo9523 so it was the inner seal, right?

[@elgatogordo9523]

@@jessecooper9795 Yes 👍

[@warmfeelings4063]

Oil filter best tool, thank you very big for sharing the idea 💡. I am about to do same job for the third time on 98 /4Runner but this time with new axle. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@Esteban_Herrera]

LMAO the oil Filter Seal installer was perfect. Sometimes PVC pipe couplings work too.

[@jdawg3712]

Leave it to those damn Ru'skies! That oil filter is one sweet trick!🤗

[@willyone1r]

WOW!!! An old oil filter??? Never ever had thought of that!!! 😂😂😂

[@PulpMatter]

Love the old oil filter trick! I had to get a pull hammer to get the axle seal out! I don’t know how you were able to use That tool! I broke mine and was afraid to scratch the inside !

[@turnah8242]

Hey man I really like the content you produce.

[@thesilentobserver93]

I love your videos! Never would have thought to use the oil filter! 😂

[@FarmerTed]

Thanks for tacking the time, thumbs up.

[@FloridaSunMitochondria]

Wow excellent use of an old oil filter!!

[@user-jh8no1zb9e]

I dont have a giant socket or a small oil filter - Whats the socket and oil filter size ?? great video though , thanks

[@jjjones6515]

Hello I am a avid fan and I enjoy learning about different types of auto projects..lol I recently started to repair the right rear axle seal and bearing on my 2000 Toyota tundra 4x4 v8 abs . I have a great problem... A neighbor, who is a mechanic, used a angular grinder to remove the collars ..😂 it is the worst attempt I've ever seen.. I didn't even ask him for help.... The cut attempts are all over the place.. He said that there is no c clip and now says that the part will fail . The C clip is fused with collars. Asb ring is Hanging collars wont move.. what should I do?

[@YELLOWLEAF205]

If the oil gets to the bearing,it won't last long bc the oil will force out the bearing grease which oil can't take the heat that the grease can. The bearing will fail and you'll be doing the same repair ,plus bearing soon.

[@MegaCapri69]

Excuse me. But. This apply in a Toyota sequoia 2002. Thank you. 👍

[@urielrios3769]

You got a part number for that O ring?

[@markreynolds3850]

Thanks for sharing this video, I really enjoy videos, they always have great content.

[@xavier8210]

Hi great video ! I have the same oil leak on my prado (196 000 kms). The Toyota dealer has provided a quote of 7 hours of labor to change the seals on both sides. Is this realy the time required for these operations?

[@globalmobile017]

Did you need to drain the oil in the rear end first before pulling the axle???

[@Timberjo2]

No you don't have to drain the oil first. A bit will trickle out of the ends of the axle housing but not bad, just have a oil drain pan underneath when you pull the axle and the seal out.

[@javivivero5119]

Hi Toyota maintenance. I need to replace the axle seals since the drum is full of grease or oil, I did not know about this problem until I was checking the spare tire and I could see that the drum was full of grease, there is no noise or any sympton. How can I know that I should replace the bearings and not only the seals? Thanks

[@TheMrChaddles]

What did you use to plug the brake line? Looks like a golf tee and something else I can’t see lol

[@MohiHash]

Some liquid leaks from my Toyota land cruiser 2001 model just 1 to 1.5 ft deeper from exactly the wheel you are working on. My friend suggested it could be gear oil leaking from suspension. But that's not an expert opinion. What could that be?

[@landonjamesknutson]

What size oil filter was that

[@mattvandart9055]

thanks man, have to do this on Saturday :)

[@tiger7419]

hi toyota maintenance, my 1998 toyota 4runner have a death wobble. the culprit was the drum brake wheel cylinder leak oil. i replaced brand new wheel cylinder, shoes, star adjuster and the drum but after i replaced i drove for 3000 miles and now the shoes pad dragged on the drum( i dont know if it is the star adjuster cause all the brake dragging or the bell crank because i could tell when i pull on the hand brake and it get harder)i want to know what is your opinion. thank you. ps can you do a video how to change fuel filter for 1998 toyota 4runner 2.7 cylinder( toyota said is a lifetime fuel filter, is that true?).

[@jadeolmos2269]

Is there really not a c clip in the axle

[@reallyhappenings5597]

HF Bearing/Race & Seal Driver set HF Bearing/Seal Puller Slide Hammer set if you want to have max control

[@PulpMatter]

I had to get those tools. Right tools for the right job makes it a piece of cake!

[@chieflouie2821]

Hello my friend. Do you have similar video for 1 gen seqouia?

[@preetdhillon764]

Oil filter hack is cool

[@Gsxr85027]

Right.

[@markreynolds3850]

I ended up replacing rear brakes due to oil contamination.

[@PulpMatter]

Same

[@2007db2007]

thanks for the video

[@chronoboat11]

Thanks by looking at the video you left the rubber part of the old Oring still in th he axel. Your puller only pulled out the metal part.

[@IanSolomons73]

Peter, please help. Installing this seal has been a nightmare for me. It is the correct seal and I have the correct tool but still, it keeps slipping to one side or another and I have damaged one already. Is it really as easy as in this video? Am I doing something wrong. I added grease as per the manual

[@alftorrisi8795]

It is a little late but it can be a pain to seat the seal square to start with. Just takes practise really. You can try with a smaller tool and just tap super lightly around the edges. Once the front lip is snug in the recess you can go back to a socket etc.

[@dunesmaskal4978]

Hey buddy!!!! It's Dunes!!! How the hell are you!!!

[@ToyotaMaintenance]

not bad

[@rx7cl]

Nice job sir....

[@ronaldbacza2724]

Make sure the rear end is vented they do get clogged

[@ToyotaMaintenance]

yes, it is imporant

[@sinohoeung8282]

You are right, I replace my seal but still leak, so I lose the vent

[@reallyhappenings5597]

Done one, done 'em all

[@lordsenzulu8754]

Oil filter special tool😂😂

[@grooveaddictsmusic5832]

Rigghht

[@vajhuamsibluag]

poor instructions. Show people how to remove everything step by step, bolt by bolt.

[@FIGGY65]

Did you not comprehend ( or read ) the title of this video? He is specifically addressing the removal and replacement of just the axle seal. Nothing else;he covers this pretty well. There are like 2.5 million other YT videos covering the whole process as you requested , and Peter has an outstanding one in his video catalog.