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Transmission Seals - DIY or Mechanic?

Discussion in '1st Gen 4Runners (1984-1989)' started by AJ Denver, Jul 13, 2019.

  1. Jul 13, 2019 at 5:48 PM
    #1
    AJ Denver

    AJ Denver [OP] New Member

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    I'm leaking transmission fluid at the front and back of my 4Runner.
    Front looks like the front oil seal has gone bad. It's not leaking a ton, but as things heat up it slings oil around. I'm watching the levels and keeping fluid in it. I drive it to work every day (40 miles round trip) and it probably needs a small bit of oil every 6 weeks or so.

    I have pretty much the same thing now happening in the rear where the shaft goes into the rear differential.

    I've looked over my Haynes manual and the FSM and the Haynes makes it look pretty straightforward to replace the front seal. I'm guessing the rear is about the same. However, the FSM involves all kinds of speciality tools to keep the splines perfectly aligned, so it's got me concerned I'm going to screw something up.

    So, is it something that's pretty straightforward? or should I be looking for a mechanic for this one? Thanks!
     
  2. Jul 15, 2019 at 4:29 AM
    #2
    DGP1961

    DGP1961 New Member

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    Had a leaking issue in an old Explorer it had leaked somewhere from the front diff maybe(?) and my mechanic at the time (owned a garage for 30 yrs) didn't attempt it. He told me to bring it to a transmission shop. I've never done more than oil changes for me it's a no brainer you need to gauge you're own comfort level tackling something like that.
     
  3. Jul 15, 2019 at 11:49 AM
    #3
    4scooter19

    4scooter19 New Member

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    Post pics if you can. The rear end wouldn't be leaking transmission fluid so I'm kinda confused. I'm guessing the rear seal you are talking about is the pinion seal on the rear diff. They're pretty straight forward (every Toyota I've owned minus my third gen has leaked) just make sure if the 30mm nut on the flange isn't marked, mark it before you take it off so you can tighten it back to where it is now. I would also mark the driveline so you get the same holes lined up when you put it back in. I don't have any experience with the front seal you speak of hopefully this helps. Good luck.
     
  4. Jul 16, 2019 at 4:45 PM
    #4
    AJ Denver

    AJ Denver [OP] New Member

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    Here's a few pics. I've read that the oil can drip down the shaft and result in it looking like the rear is leaking. So maybe that's what's going on. First is of the front and Second is of the rear.

     
  5. Jul 16, 2019 at 5:07 PM
    #5
    4scooter19

    4scooter19 New Member

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    Unless your drive line is saturated I would guess you have seals leaking. The "front" leaking would be the transfer case not the transmission leaking.
     
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