2000 Limited TRD refresh/repair story

I did notice the pinion get loose after tapping the flange back on, but I ensured that there was no play in anything after tightening the nut. The flange was just as close to the 3rd member as it was before once tightened. I’ve already driven it 15 miles or so, so it’s probably fine, right?

 

Do some figure 8s in the parking lot and listen / feel for any abnormalities. Mine likes to lock up on full right hand turns. Not an issue at all for me during normal driving.

 

If you marked the nut before removal and went back to the same spot, it would pull the pinion back in place, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Is that after the LSD spring upgrade?

 

No, I haven't rebuilt that one yet. I still have the springs. I need to order that bearing kit. I'm not doing gears right now, so I want to swap the 4.08 ring and pinion I have in place of the 3.91.

 

Wait, what? Is it trying to lock up because of your LSD, or because the pinion is hitting the carrier?

 

This

 

Shit. That sounds really bad.

 

I think it’s still leaking. Shoot.

 

Nooooooo!!!!!!!!

 

Yeah, still leaking.


I pulled the flange off and took a look at the seal, and I couldn’t find anything wrong with it. It looked great. It was in there nice and straight. I tapped it in a bit further, but I honestly don’t know what that’s going to do. We’ll see tomorrow if it leaks again.

 

Is there a groove worn in the flange? That can cause new/good seals to not work.

 

Are you seeing coming from the pinion flange, flowing down underneath the 3rd and then dripping on to the ground? I know it's early in the morning for me. Just looks like it's directly under the diff gasket in the pic.

 

There’s a wear mark, but it’s definitely not a groove. I didn’t do the fingernail scratch test when I had it off but I wiped it clean with a rag and it felt nice and smooth to me.

Yeah, it’s running down the 3rd member and dripping from the lowest point. It’s the pinion seal for sure.

 

Still leaking. I bought another seal, but I’m not sure if that’ll fix it. If not it’s going to the shop.