Weeping Rear Diff

Hello all,
Long time lurker. I hope you all can help me here. I noticed some leaking around the differential. It has never dripped or pooled, so it’s not a fast leak.

Is this normal? I tried searching this forum and Google, but couldn’t find much on the subject.

I have 15k miles and an appointment scheduled later this week.

 

This was a pretty common problem, even with the Tacomas. Take it back to the dealership and let them sort it out.

 

Please let us know how the dealer resolved? Experiencing the same on my 2019 Tundra, noticed when I serviced my rear diff last weekend.

 

My 2016 doesn't do it.

 

hmmmm I doubt an active leak will come from it. But definitely take it to the dealership while it's in warranty to have this documented. They may re-seal it.

 

I had fluid film applied to the truck last fall so if it's weeping I would never know.

 

why is your truck so clean?

 

Check your breather, could be clogged? It's that little nubby thinger-mabob sticking out the top of the driver's side axle tube (your second picture).

 

Thank you all for the comments! I will certainly check out my breather and report back on what Toyota finds. I suspect they will clean the area and torque the bolts to start. I previously had a Tacoma that was bone dry so this was a little weird to see. I will also be doing some towing in the coming weeks so this is impeccable timing.

Well, it is garage kept and I cleaned the undercarriage a few months back to rid it of road salt. I also happened to clean the inside of the rims during a rotation because why not.

 

Update: Dealer wants to replace the seal. Considering my truck is still low miles and how intrusive this repair seems I may bypass it for now. I plan to clean the area and see how quickly it weeps from here on out.

 

2019 with 18000 miles. Looks the same as yours. no issues. It is an assembly issue not necessarily an incipient leak.

 

I would get it done now. The repair is not difficult. You don't want to run that diff low on fluid plus you can evaluate the fix and make sure it is not continuing to leak while still under warranty.

 

A sealant is used not a gasket. Its good shit, surprised to see any "weeping". on flip side I doubt all the lube you see is equivalent to 1 drop. I wouldn't touch it.....

 

My truck has 67k on it and has always looked like that. Never left a single drip.

 

Bump...

I notice this on my '21 as well...just hit 10k. Any updates from the dealer?

 

I noticed this around 30k miles on my truck. Sprayed some brake cleaner to clean it and it hasn’t ever come back.

 

I don’t have this issue on mine but in previous trucks / SUV’s I started using a product called lube locker. It’s a differential gasket. I refuse to go back to using the sealant after using these…….the sealant is messy and too much trouble comparatively. Once the lube locker is placed and tightened down it’s awesome.

 

So my question is, should I take this to the Dealer to get it fixed or is it normal and just not worry about it?

 

I cleaned the area with Dawn dish soap and it hasn't shown anymore signs of leaking. It is bone dry now. The dealer wanted to disassemble the entire propeller shaft, pumpkin, etc. to re-seal it. I did not want that kind of work done on the assembly considering how low mileage the truck was and I am glad I didn't. I suggest cleaning the area and monitor for the next month or so. Mine never actually dripped.

 

So I cleaned mine a couple weeks ago... after a few hundred miles of driving, the weeping had come back. Should I take it in or am I over thinking it?

 

Get it done while the dealership has acknowledged the problem and is willing to fix it. That window can close in seconds and the circus can start. Use your warranty, look closely at their work when it's done.

Take some pictures before you give it to them. When you hand them the keys tell them you're 'very particular' about your truck, which might help too.

Rarely have I left a dealership service adventure without something special like a new scratch, double washers, things too tight or too loose, a differential not topped up after warranty work, new light on the dashboard, dealerships............

 

The person you hand your keys to at the dealer doesnt actually work on the vehicle and has very minor knowledge of actually mechanical work, I'm sure there are exceptions but most have never done an oil change. They are just there as a talking head since mechanics are not typically customer service type people and this way they can keep the mechanics working while the "service advisor" deals with you. Its just one of the reasons I hate dealers, at least when you go to a local mechanic, you're talking to the guy covered in grease who actually knows what he's talking about and is the one thats doing the work.

 

I hate dealerships as well but this may be something I need to get done before my warranty expires. I just hope they don't cause more issues that may appear down the line later. I just cross the 10k mark and am pretty annoyed that I have this issue (just recently found out this is common).

 

Mine looks the same.

2021 with 8,000 miles on it

 

Definitely let them do it. The 108# 3rd member will need to be pulled in order to replace the gasket, which means brake lines, parking brake cables, and axle shafts come out. This should not be a "smear some RTV on it" type of repair. Ask the dealer to explain the procedure in detail...

 

My 21 started doing this at around 12k. Washed it off with SimpleGreen/water and a tire brush. Gave the breather a few twists and it has not came back. Almost to 15k now. Gonna monitor it for a few more thousand miles, but so far so good

 

Regarding the breather being the answer, I’m skeptical.
The breather on older Toyotas was nothing more than a little metal disc with a spring under it, contained in that cap deal on the axle housing. I ain’t saying that this can’t fail, but I’d bet you lunch that an axle seal would burp out excess pressure well before a properly sealed and assembled third member would let thick oil piss out.

I still say let the manufacturer foot the bill for this repair!

 

Does the rear differential breather relocation kit help?

 

I had the same issue and the drive side axle end had it too. I thought because of the differential breather problem. Therefore, I did the breather relocation. I could feel and hear the pressure of the differential was release and escape when i unscrewed the factory differential breather, it just sounds like when you open a can of Cola. It should not happen because i did not move my truck for more than a day.

 

So I have a very similar situation as some of you here. Cleaned the seepage I had coming from the lower rung of bolts (lower semicircle) with dawn dish soap right before a road trip from Phoenix to San Diego. Pumpkin was clean before I left and I just got back and noticed the seepage is back. I also checked the diff breather (I installed a relocation kit) and it was clear. I am approaching 34k miles and am weighing the options (as previously mentioned) on whether or not to open the can of worms with the dealer.