Toyota RAV4 AWD Rear differential (axle) leak repair "Richard" Needed some more love

Hello everyone, so my daughter vehicle "Richard" needed a little love. The it is a 2005 RAV4 AWD (all wheel drive) and the rear axle seal on the passenger side was leaking so I needed to install a new seal and fix a plugged vent. From what I understand this seal fits 1996-2005 MY RAV4.
Toyota part number: 90311-35032
Here is the differential seal: amzn.to/3TbhIRV
Differential pump for fluid: amzn.to/48TF04h
Rear gear oil: amzn.to/48N4u3m or amzn.to/3Tu8HEM
Overall it was a pretty easy repair.
Warning
This video is made for entertainment purposes and not necessarily educational. it doesn’t mean to hurt any…and don’t take it seriously. I enjoy doing this, do what I do as your own risk.
Disclaimer
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, I purchase all the products on my own or provide a link to a similar product I use. I do not get any freebies, I purchase everything just like you do.
The information on this KZbin Channel is not intended or implied to be a substitute for Professional advice. All content including text, graphics, images, and information contained on or available through this channel is for general information purposes only.
This channel makes no representation and assumes no liability for the accuracy of information on or available through this channel, and such information is subject to change without notice.
You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this channel with other sources and review all information regarding anything shared in the videos.

[@gsabella4]

thanks for the video! I just bought a 2003 Rav4 AWD, previous owner has been keeping an eye on a slight rear Differential Leak. I will go about fixing it soon. Solid little SUV so far.

[@luxtonpark]

Have the same issue with my 11 rav4. The dealership wanted 1400 to fix!! Thanks for the info

[@stephenharker6097]

The diff on a 2011 is slightly different. We're you able to do it using this video?

[@Laostyle627]

Good tip on the breather valve!

[@waltersweet4595]

Digging into this on a 2002 highlander. My challenge is getting the differential cover off as the subframe is in the way. I hope when I look at it that it is just those 2 bolts on the bushing mount like yours

[@SaraH-nh3ob]

Great video and i’m glad Richard is being taken care of😂❤️ I just bought a 2005 Rav4 myself, and i also have a leaky diff.. i’ll be using this vid when we fix it:)

[@Truth2240]

Those vents are always responsible for blowing seals. I shit canned it. I installed a nipple and ran a gas line hose and a 1/4 inch in line fuel filter and tied out of way. The fuel filter is a one way filter so pressure goes out of diff, but moisture won't go back in. Most of those 2 dollar vents reclog and new seals will fail. And you usually can't get to those vents to keep them from crapping up. Did the same on my Nissan Titan after 2 seal repairs.

[@timhannon1959]

Great video! Thanks for taking the time to make it.

[@ShopDogFabrication]

Glad you enjoyed it! And thank you for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it.

[@johnwells804]

Saved me time to sort this job thank you for sharing info

[@karstenpetersen2910]

Great video, 😊 I have a 2005 diesel awd doing the exact same thing.. it would have taken me forever to realize the cover had to come off 😊 im located in denmark, scandinavia where they use salt on the roads in wintertime so I probably have a bit more rust challenges😂😂 but thanx a lot for making this nice video😊

[@ShopDogFabrication]

Hello from Michigan, thank you very much for your comments. Glad the video will be able to help you out, hopefully once it warms up a bit you can tackle it.

[@hmongmeskas7445]

Thank you for teaching us.

[@glasshammer291]

Nice video. Thanks for making and sharing.

[@jonathantorres2131]

thank you very much.

[@yaroslavpasichnyk9525]

Pretty well explained and good pictures!

[@eulalioriveracruz9668]

thanks for the video friend, it helped me a lot

[@Paul-gt4wc]

Thanks

[@mamuelmansilla9315]

Gracias por su ayuda,,,,,,,,thank you ser

[@dannysautorepair]

Great video thanks

[@edwinrivera7454]

Thank you

[@ShopDogFabrication]

Hope it helped you out

[@kirkunknown1202]

Thanks Bro🙏💯✊

[@danielyanez9443]

Really good video thanks

[@ShopDogFabrication]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stinkybolo]

Awesome video A+++

[@deanrandell9648]

Awesome vid thank you

[@Lovemyfamily55]

Have you ever tried the front differential seal? My 2002 is leaking in the front differential. I can't find any videos for the front.

[@ShopDogFabrication]

Not on a rav4, I have on a Subaru, very similar in design. If you’re talking the front half shaft seals in the diff. You have to pull the entire axle out of the diff at the diff. You can’t unbolt it like the rear. If I remember right I unbolted the lower strut from the control arm so I could pull it out. Look for a video on replacing an axle shaft. You’ll get the idea.

[@davelogit]

Thanks for the video! How did you get the CV axle to slide off the the axle stub studs. Seems the bolt holes on the CV have to travel over about an inch of stud toward the wheel in order to come free. Did you have to undo the axle nut Or just compress the cv axle as much as you could to get the needed clearance

[@ShopDogFabrication]

It slips off easy with a small pry bar, there is room in the cv joint for it to slide in and out as the vehicle moves so it’s easy to remove and reinstall.

[@msmazz100]

how much fluid did it take. I see other videos that fill it until the fluid comes out the fill hole. others say it takes a half a quart. others say a full quart. please help I have a 2005 rav4 AWD

[@ShopDogFabrication]

If your draining and refilling it’s around 1/2 qt, if your just topping it off add fluid until it comes out the fill hole.

[@Truth2240]

What size socket used to drive in seal?

[@ShopDogFabrication]

I honestly don’t remember

[@razvanpopa2961]

super and thanks

[@karlpatzer5343]

Would you not need to put the Axels with C clips before putting the cover back on?

[@ShopDogFabrication]

You do need to put the c clips on the axles before putting the cover on. Otherwise they could pull out.

[@mr.j8297]

Hello Richard, great video, do you have the part number or description for the NAPA adapter you used for installing the seal?

[@ShopDogFabrication]

Richard is the name of the vehicle, lol. Without watching the video I think I used performance tool W83020 which is a seal driver kit.

[@mr.j8297]

It says 13/16 on the side and NAPA engraved on it - looks like a socket.

[@ShopDogFabrication]

@@mr.j8297 ahh, I just used a socket from my toolbox, you can also use seal drivers. I must have bought the seal drivers after I used the socket. Been a couple years since I shot that video.

[@mr.j8297]

@@ShopDogFabrication I watched the video multiple times, you gave me confidence to do it myself. I am beginner DIY. I don’t have fancy seal installation tool kit, so just wanted to pick up something similar to you have it in the video just for this project, try to search on the NAPA site, I couldn’t find anything identical. Any other recommendation also would be helpful. Thank you.

[@uwakwekingsleyuche8604]

Please are you in Michigan.. i have the same problem with my 2010 Toyota Rav4

[@ShopDogFabrication]

Sorry, I don’t work on other people vehicles.

[@ucanoe]

Would someone be able to tell me where the breather valve is on the 2010 rear diff, or point me to a video. Thx

[@ShopDogFabrication]

Usually in the axle tube facing upward. They have a little cap on top. If they get plugged up it will cause an axle seal to blow out because it can’t vent the pressure out.

[@ucanoe]

@@ShopDogFabrication I cannot slide under my car, not enough clearance...so I will have to get the car raised to check it out...thx, after a little research I think it is right on top of the diff.

[@bolriconyc3795]

Top of the diff.... I've sprayed on blaster up there and wiggled it with pliers

[@chrissargent8398]

Might be doing this on a 2010. I can't pay someone my hard earned money to do a job I can do. Plus, I know how the repair was done when finished. In my area repair shops are 2 weeks out because they can't find mechanics. Makes me wonder what they're paying and how burnt out the ones working are. Thanks for putting this together..

[@meedily]

That looks like a serious pain in the ass.

[@ShopDogFabrication]

It actually was pretty easy once I dug into it.

[@Iahusha777Iahuah]

Get this old rav4 gen out of my search results. Put the year on your title

[@christhelonewolf746]

Part number? Its not in the description **Edit: mine is a 2011, but the same part number for these newer models is: 90311-37004

[@bolriconyc3795]

Thanks for the part #.... also for my 2011 the process is a little different I think.... 2010 and up don't have to crack open the diff, I think you just pry the axle out, please correct me if I'm wrong.... not ONE video on the 2010 and up rear axle seal replacement....