3 front axle seals, and it still leaks

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4doorVIP
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My tercel:: 1988 SR5 Wagon
Location: Vancouver Island

Re: 3 front axle seals, and it still leaks

Post by 4doorVIP »

did you use an OEM seal? I haven't had much luck with aftermarket ones
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xirdneh
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My tercel:: 87 tercel 4x4 wagon w/reringed engine, 83 tercel 4x4 wagon w/salvaged engine and 4.1 Diff's
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Re: 3 front axle seals, and it still leaks

Post by xirdneh »

did you run your finger around the aluminun hole the seal fits into to feel for a gouge created by screwdriver used to pry it out?
if there is a gouge smooth it out and use non-hardening gasket compound on alum hole before installing seal

if you are popping the axle in by pushing on wheel hub assy the force can pop the spring out of the backside of the seal
wipe grease into seal so it will not pop out

using a tool to pop axle in works best . there is a picture of one on this site in tool section

also do not install seal too deep
if i remember its about .3" deep there is picture of seal install tool made from ABS pipe on youtube video
do not remember if i put it in tool section
Love those Tercell 4x4 wagons but they sure suffer from road noise.
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Petros
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My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
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Re: 3 front axle seals, and it still leaks

Post by Petros »

these seals are usually reliable, sometimes the seat the seal rides on the axle end can be buggered up and cause it to leak. I have also seen a sloppy fitting axles, that can wobble around too much, damage the seal and cause a leak. Or if seal is not installed properly, too deep or at an angle. Make sure the axle is pushed in all the way or it will not seal, the cv joint should be up close to the side of the diff housing.

just to be sure, you should also check that the seal is actually leaking, and it is not running down from some other leak nearby.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
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ARCHINSTL
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My tercel:: Goldie is a 1986 SR5 attualmente con Weber/also owned the first T4WD in STL in late '82
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Re: 3 front axle seals, and it still leaks

Post by ARCHINSTL »

I am unsure if you used the correct seal - one with a lip. Forgive me if you did.
See viewtopic.php?f=16&t=6484&p=48265&hilit=seal#p48265 for number and a photo.
Tom M.
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teranfirbt
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Re: 3 front axle seals, and it still leaks

Post by teranfirbt »

Pop the axle out and see if there's a groove worn in the sealing surface, 22RE cranks are known for having front main issues because of a worn seal area. If there isn't a groove, look for scratches parallel to the axle, those can also seep oil over time.
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Petros
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Re: 3 front axle seals, and it still leaks

Post by Petros »

there might be something more seriously wrong in the diff, like the large roller bearings are shot (on each side of the diff assembly). this would allow the axle stub to rotate eccentrically, allowing the seal to leak (or if bad enough, to wipe the seal out as soon as it is driven). have you drained the diff lube recently? if it is full of metal, it may be time for a new front diff.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
Hiro
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My tercel:: 1986 Toyota Tercel FWD 5spd

Re: 3 front axle seals, and it still leaks

Post by Hiro »

I received my axle seals the other day. These were the ones I found online. Looks like they were the last 2 from Beck/Arnley (P/N 052-3281). Rock Auto, Advanced Auto, O'rielly's all said they had only 2 available and it would be a special order, so I guess they were all pointing to the same inventory at some Beck/Arnley warehouse. Anywho, I hope that when the day comes that the axles need replacing, that these seals will do the job...

Below are pictures of one of the sets.

Image

Image
'86 T2 DLX (114,000 miles and counting)
'90 EE4 RT4WD
'92 EG VX Hatch
'95 YJ 4.0L
'05 C6 Z51 (460rwhp)
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Petros
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Re: 3 front axle seals, and it still leaks

Post by Petros »

those are the seals for the wheel bearings, not the axle stub (in the side of the diff housing). The ones that go in the side of the diff housing are all rubber coated and have a lip going around the outside, facing in the outward direction. This is a dust shield, not really necessary to seal in the lube, but helpful to keep sand, grit, dust and small rocks away the seals.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
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My tercel:: Goldie is a 1986 SR5 attualmente con Weber/also owned the first T4WD in STL in late '82
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Re: 3 front axle seals, and it still leaks

Post by ARCHINSTL »

@ Hiro: did you see my above post with a link that showed a photo of the correct seal and the correct part number?
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=6484&p=48265&hilit=seal#p48265
Tom M.
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"Oh, do not ask, 'What is it?' Let us go and make our visit."
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oldfaithful
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Re: 3 front axle seals, and it still leaks

Post by oldfaithful »

Listen to what Petros is saying. Those seals in the picture are definitely front hub seals, the smaller one is the outer, the larger one is the inner and the gold coloured ring is a dust shield.
Hiro
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My tercel:: 1986 Toyota Tercel FWD 5spd

Re: 3 front axle seals, and it still leaks

Post by Hiro »

AHHAH. My fault guys. I have a box of parts and grabbed the wrong one. Just keeping you all honest ;)

Sorry for the confusion here...
'86 T2 DLX (114,000 miles and counting)
'90 EE4 RT4WD
'92 EG VX Hatch
'95 YJ 4.0L
'05 C6 Z51 (460rwhp)
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Petros
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Re: 3 front axle seals, and it still leaks

Post by Petros »

no confusion on my end, the confusion is all yours. :-0
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
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