Front Passenger Axle Shaft Seal Leaking??

Hi Guys,
I've got a 2017 Tundra Crew Max 4x4 Limited. I just picked up a slightly used set of TRD Pro shocks for a very good price...until things started to go downhill. I called a few local shops for an estimate to install the Pro Suspension and ended up going to a big named local tire company who quoted roughly $380 with alignment. This sounded like a good deal, so I took it. The mechanic I assume over extended my CV when trying to fit the new coilovers in and damaged my passenger axle shaft. I was told this was now going to add another $400 to my bill (I don't get it, because they broke it shouldn't they be responsible?). Anyways, I paid it and they installed a new axle shaft. After I left I drove to work and when I exited the truck I could smell fluid. I looked underneath and traced it back to the axle shaft leaking where it fits into the differential. I called them and returned to the shop. They ended up replacing the axle shaft seal and I left again. It's still leaking and now I don't want to go back to them for a 3rd attempt. I called a local rack and axle shop and they said sometimes the seal will seal itself up after a day or two. Has anyone run into this before? That good deal now turned into a very expensive one fast and I still have a leaking shaft. I wonder if they pressed the new seal in too far or maybe damaged the seal when they install the shaft. My truck has only 32K miles on it. I also have the 100K mile Toyota warranty and wonder if this will cause headaches later on since I now have a NAPA axle shaft installed instead of the factory Toyota one. Any help or experience would be much appreciated! Sorry for the long post. I'm tempted to take it to the rack and axle shop who quoted $220 to take it apart and replace the seal, but guaranteed they'd do it right.

*Edit - I'll take a picture and upload it tomorrow morning once I have some light.

 

Stock lift? So they acknowledged they damaged you stuff and require you to pay? Interesting.

Seal could be incorrectly positioned. Shaft could be damaged causing seal failure. Seals work best when new, no seating or break in. Whoever said give it a few days is a moron or a liar. Sounds like you're getting some poor service IMO.

 

I would have them put my original axle shaft back in and go straight to the Toyota dealership and get that work warrantied.

 

Thanks Rob371. They installed a new axle shaft, so I don't think that is the problem. More likely the seal is leaking for some unknown reason. After I park the truck I'll get 3-4 drops of fluid on the ground before I go to leave again. I know it's flinging fluid while driving because I can see the spatter on the underside of the truck and also in my passenger side rear wheel well. It just sucks that I'm having to eat the cost and still don't have it fixed. I guess I could try taking it back to the tire shop that caused it and have them give it a third try. After breaking the shaft and then having the seal leak after I just don't have much faith in them and I'm not sure I want them to touch it anymore at this point.

 

Thanks Blueknights75 for the comment. I bet Toyota would not cover anything though as I'm sure they would be able to tell that someone had caused the problem and it wasn't due to a faulty factory part.

 

I don't really see how the tire shop could've damaged a CV joint while installing some new coilovers. I would not assume that the mechanic "over-extended" your CV joint.

Edit: I'm confused; did the shop damage a CV joint, an axle shaft, or a seal? Also, what tire shop does gear and axle work?

 

Hi computeruser6. They told me that when they attempted to install the coilover my passenger side shaft had separated. I believe they were prying down to make enough room to fit the coilover in and they over extended it. They replaced the axle shaft, but then it started leaking fluid. They then replaced the axle shaft seal, but it's still leaking. Not sure if we are allowed to post shop names in here or not, so I won't, but they sell tires, do oil changes, alignment, and other misc repair work as well.

 

Unless they pulled the wheel bearing off that is not possible. The CV joint or axle shaft don't just pop out. This makes no sense. Any pictures?

 

I see what you're saying. They shouldn't have needed to pull the wheel bearing off to do the install. I just read through the TRD Pro Suspension install document and it does state, "CAUTION: Take care not to damage the axle CV boot or steering rack boot while removing the assembly". Maybe they just tore the boot up when they removed the old coilover?...I'll post up a picture tomorrow morning of where the fluid is leaking from, but it appears to be the seal, just not sure why.

 

Not sure what transpired but one thing is sure. Shaft is not removable without removing hub. Normally shaft removal also requires separating upper ball joint but I can't remember if I did this on tundra.

 

reminds me of my buddy who wanted cheap labor to install his front coil overs...ended up with a blown steering rack and a $3K bill just to save $100....this was also a tire shop..those guys know jack shit.
good luck OP

 

Sure it's not your rack leaking?? That would be a big fubar and mad money

 

Shafts are packed with grease aren't they not?

 

SHOW PICS OF LEAK!!!!!

I DIY the passenger axle seal this year - piece of cake watching YouTube vids.

BUT if the seal is not seated properly and at the correct depth in the shaft. - Potential to leak is high!!!


https://youtu.be/mh1BK5--KrU

 

I took a couple pictures of the leak this morning. It does appear to be the seal at least from what I can see. Would you guys recommend taking it back to the same shop again? Or should I just put out another $220 and take it to the axle and rack shop that says they will fix it right and be done with it. It looks like they gouged the sides up a bit when removing they seal too.

 

You are a much better man than I would be in this situation Paul! I would be camped out at the place that screwed up my truck and somebody would fix it with Toyota OEM parts first of all and then fix it right with me right by their side.

 

Damn!!!! I would negative review the shit out of that shop!! They cost you a good Toyota front axle - superior to the Napa one!!
If they are anything like all the other Toyota’s - you have to align the round clip ring and “pop” it back into place. Usually requires a prettt swift kick in the nuts with a BFH.
I’d kick that shop owner in the nuts by the way, if you haven’t already.
I’ve never heard of a seal “sealing itself back up” but I could be wrong.
I would wipe it clean, drive a few miles - check - repeat.
If it continues to leak and you can’t do it yourself - take to a more reputable shop, and send the invoice to your shit-shop.
Have the new reputable shop type you up a letter putting blame on the shit-shop. In your letter to the shit-shop I would mention small claims court to collect your money back.
I would first call the shit-shop and ask to speak to the owner - let them know your plan, and do NOT let them talk you into going back.
That’s my two cents.
PS - if shit-shop doesn’t help you or is not willing to make it right, post it up publicly here and we’ll make sure Google reviews turns their most likely current 3 star review into a 1 star.

 

The shop really gouged up that housing. Most likely with a pry bar to pop the shaft out. Hate to see what other items they touched.

I wouldn't have paid them a penny for something that their techs caused. I would have also specified OEM parts for replacement. I did 2 NAPA shafts on the same side in 1 year on my 4runner, they just don't hold up. The 2nd one was free but my labor is not.

X2 on having more patience than most.

 

You guys are spot on. After I had to pay for the new axle and labor for something they caused they didn't even fix it right. They charged about $200 for the labor on installing the axle. I'll go back there and see about getting a refund on their labor cost which will almost cover the cost of the other shop to do it right. I'll post up their response. At this point I don't even want them to touch it anymore.

 

We had a local member here get fucked over by a shop, long story short after a few hours and countless honest but harsh reviews,our buddy got a call the next morning to make it right.

Amazing what one has to do In this day and age to have a company do the right thing.

 

Yep - I’d let the owner know there is about 100 people on here that can vouch that your axle wasn’t leaking prior. It just doesn’t happen. And if he wants to disagree, social media will prevail.

 

That’s how mine showed when leaking.

Axle seal is compromised.

Shop that did the surgery is required to redo it.

#MICdropped#

 

I just went back to the shop and and told them it's still leaking and that I don't really want them touching it again. I wanted to be reimbursed for the labor I had to pay them so I can take it somewhere else that can do the job right. I also told them I don't really appreciate them messing up the differential housing with whatever it was they used to remove the seal. They told me to bring it back on Tuesday and they will have their master tech correct the problem. Not sure why they even gave the original job to the first guy that doesn't seem to know what he's doing. I guess I'll give them one more attempt on Tuesday to resolve the leak. Still not very happy with the whole situation.

 

If you have the time a patience when you return (which makes a you a better person than I because this is the third chance they have had on your truck) I would stand over the top of them while they do it. They will probably come back and say something like customers not allowed in shop and some insurance bullshit but tell them it’s either you get to watch ever step of the repair or you want all your $$’s back and you go to a real shop to get it fix correctly.

 

You’re honestly way too kind.

 

I have an extra seal. Pay for shipping and it’s yours..... hola if interested