Replacing rear auto tranny seal - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

MGotcha · #1 (**permalink**) 09-29-2003, 10:58 PM

My 96 Runner's rear tranny seal (where the driveshaft enters the tailpiece) is starting to seep. Does anyone have advice to R&R this seal? Thanks!

Bbbutch · #2 (**permalink**) 09-30-2003, 10:44 PM

It's just about the easiest seal to replace.
Before you remove your driveline check the play in the yoke at the trans tail shaft. A little play is OK. Too much and it will just destroy the new seal.
Trans oil/fluid will leak out when the driveline is removed.
Use a seal puller (or large screwdriver) and carefully pry out the old seal.
Stick the tip of tool just inside the old seal and pry out a little in a couple of places and be careful not to damage or grove the inside of the tailshaft casing.
Wipe out the tailshaft casing and clean it with spray brake cleaner and wipe it out again.
Apply some gasket sealer to the out side of the new seal (The metal side that will make contact with the tailshaft casing). I like aviation gasket sealer for this application but just about any kind will do.
Apply some light grease to the rubber part of the seal for lubrication.
Stick it up there and (using a small hammer with easy taps) do your best to drive it in straight. If you have a seal driver with a large enough hole in the center that would be best. I made one out of an old Chevy harmonic balancer with the weight removed.
In any case I believe the seal will either have a flange to stop it or you stop when the seal becomes even all around with the tailshaft casing.
Again be careful with the tailshaft casing. It's only aluminum.

MGotcha · #3 (**permalink**) 09-30-2003, 11:43 PM

Thanks for the info. Sounds just like the procedure for doing a Chevy's seal. The 4Runner's only got 44k miles, so I suspect a seal R&R will do it (gotta check for wobble & damage to the yoke). I used a chunk of PVC pipe to drive the Chevy seal, so I may have to dig into my PVC collection. After putting new front coils in the Tundra last week, the seal should be a piece of cake! I just hate puddles! Maybe I will find my 4x4 engage problem (does not engage) while I am at it. Probably a vac hose.