Rear diff leak

[nzwasp]

Got a service on Thursday and the tech told me I had a possible rear diff leak which after looking at my garage I have a confirmed rear diff leak. It’s a 2013 Toyota Highlander 4wd, from previous experiences I would prefer to not take it to the dealership mainly due to how much they charge was $1200 just for brakes, can anyone recommend where I could get this done and approximate range it could cost?

[ExtraSlow]

Is it leaking from the fill plug or the cover? Either one should be something you can attempt to repair at home easily. YouTube and rockauto should have everything you need.

[nzwasp]

I’m unsure where it’s leaking from I can take some photos underneath the car to see where it looks oily if that makes sense.

[ExtraSlow]

Drove up on some lumber to Gove you space to work, then use a clean rag to wipe carefully around to find the leak. If the oily mess is anywhere on the top or sides of the diff cover, that's a cover leak. If it's at or directly below the fill plug, that's probably a plug leak.

The overlap is if it's leaking from the cover at the bottom, that's harder to trace.

[bourge73]

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Got a service on Thursday and the tech told me I had a possible rear diff leak which after looking at my garage I have a confirmed rear diff leak. It’s a 2013 Toyota Highlander 4wd, from previous experiences I would prefer to not take it to the dealership mainly due to how much they charge was $1200 just for brakes, can anyone recommend where I could get this done and approximate range it could cost?

I have a good honest shop that can do the work much cheaper pm if you want it

[firebane]

Generally leaks from the axle are either pinion seal or cover.

[littledan]

I would clean the area really well with some brake cleaner and then use rags to get it clean. Then drive for a day or so and go back to inspect. Should help narrow down the source.

[nzwasp]

These are the photos, seems unclear on where it could be coming from theres oil everywhere, mind you at my service they did change the diff fluid which maybe why the drain and fill plug are oily.

[RZRSHARP_SVX]

That’s your pinion seal leaking. Based on the oil on you gas tank.

[nzwasp]

Any ideas on where to get it done? I’m in the SW

[ExtraSlow]

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Any ideas on where to get it done? I’m in the SW

Or how hard that it to do at home? The parts are cheap.

[firebane]

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Or how hard that it to do at home? The parts are cheap.

pinion seal isn't "hard" but you do need to be careful.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

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Or how hard that it to do at home? The parts are cheap.

Varies by diff, but the common issue is that the pinion needs to be removed to replace the seal. The pinion nut is generally torqued to around 100-200lb-ft (not fun to do under the vehicle) If your diff uses a crush sleeve, that torque sets the pinion bearing preload - screw that up and your $10 seal replacement becomes a $1000 diff rebuild. Pinion preload is checked with a 0-60 in-lb beam or dial-type torque wrench with the axle shafts removed, although some will take shortcuts on this by marking the nut and yoke. If the diff uses solid spacers/shims for preload instead, it's a lot easier and you just need to tighten the nut back up, no need to check preload as it's set by the shim stack.

Edit: Here's the Highlander service guide (not sure which year): http://www.tohighlander.com/rear_dif..._4wd_-631.html - it uses a crush sleeve.

[G-ZUS]

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If your diff uses a crush sleeve, that torque sets the pinion bearing preload - screw that up and your $10 seal replacement becomes a $1000 diff rebuild. .

Happened to me

[Rat Fink]

.

[nzwasp]

So far I only got a quote from the dealership near me and it was $450 which doesn’t seem too bad. Haven’t called the other two places yet because they are both in the ne and that’s really inconvenient