Wheel bearing, axle seal, diff vent or all the above

So been doing lots of work on the rig I’ve owned now for almost 16 years. Really been needing a lot of suspension drive train work. I noticed couple weeks back my passenger rear tire had some oil on it. First inspection i thought maybe it was a break cylinder since I didn’t smell any diff oil. Took er apart today and holy cow what a mess. Oil and grease everywhere, I’m not sure if it’s diff fluid or bearing grease or most likely a combination.
So I’m wondering if someone can maybe help me diagnose this since I’m not a bearing specialist. Could it just have been a clogged vent or does it look like it’s shot??

https://youtube.com/shorts/L0RAUm7PgBE?feature=share

here is the video of wheel bearing.

 

Those bearings are toast. @remington351 just had a very good post on the bearing job.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/recent-axle-seal-tips-hints-and-prayers.92986/

 

Hey thanks for the reply. Just helpful to have another opinion since this isn’t exactly my career! I do love my truck and taking care of it but man does it’s age require some nursing. You think I should replace the axle seals while I’m at it? The reason I ask is because id hate to replace something that isn’t broken since some of the crap parts their putting out nowadays is not worth replacing it with.

I just did my from cv axles and the drivers side was leaking. Replaced the seal with a National and some cv half axles from orielys. Still leaking, jeeezzzz.

 

Doing the seals while you're there would be wise. Use the OEM Toyota for best results and fitment.

 

The seals usually come with the bearing kit. They're the little fellas hanging out in the axle tube. It'd be a sin not to replace them while the axles are out.

 

What happened to your retainer ring in the second pic? Why is it all beat up and marred on the edge?

 

this is a great question. I changed these rear wheel bearings about 5ish years ago though a shop. So I’m guessing that’s them hammering it on. I can’t imagine it was damage caused by driving, looks to much like hammer and miss placed hammer marks. Unless you got a better guess? Haha

 

So got the new bearings in the mail today. They look great but Immediately noticed they have relatively same amount of wiggle/rotational play in them brand new from the box. I guess I just need to assume it was the bearing that tossed grease everywhere. Just had them replaced like 5 years ago. Not sure what the live span on these is.

 

I think you're right.

 

If the axle seal failed, the gear oil will get into the bearing and change the viscosity of the grease til it leaks out and eventually fails.

Also that bearing race looks like they used an air hammer and chisel to install it. No bueno. It may have nicked/damaged the seal when they slid it in.

 

yeah I’m actually convinced the bearing is actually intact. I think because the rear differential vent was blocked, this caused all the oil to get tossed out the seal and all over the brakes. I’ve got new bearings that I’ll replace even though I’m not looking forward to it. Also bought new brake shoes. I’ve since pulled it apart before the new parts arrived and cleaned them all up. It doesn’t appear to be leaking anymore since I’ve cleaned out the vent.

I’ll reluctantly change out the bearings and the needed brake shoes since they probably don’t work worth a crap with gear oil saturated in the pads. Thanks for all the replies guys. Appreciate everyone’s help and suggestions.

 

I'll second what @assassin10000 said on the bearings. I had an axle seal go out and gear oil seeped into my wheel bearing. Ultimately the bearing grease was eaten up by the gear oil and the internal bearing cage ripped apart. Good luck!