Axle Seal Issues

[06YarisRS]

Originally Posted by ern-diz

Update on this - there seems to be some confusion around how to install this seal. I was provided some pictures of the depth specs for this seal (posted above) by a mechanic in the UK who personally owns a variety of Toyotas (MK4 Supra, Starlet, MKI Yaris). Those images show the seal being installed with an SST tool, and there are other threads on the forum indicating an SST tool is required. Despite all that, it doesn't appear that using a tool is the end all method.

There is a sleeve area on the transmission casing where the axle seal sits. Just behind that space is a step/lip. You do not want to push the seal in beyond that lip and you can get the seal into the sleeve evenly by hand relatively easily. Using a tool, like a large socket or bearing press, seems to increase the chances of both damaging the new seal and pushing it past the lip in the transmission casing. In our experience, the hand method provides more control with less risk of damage to the new seal. Without having seen the official SST tool, I assume it has a stopper/safety that pushes the seal in to the desired depth and won't let you push it further, but the SST tool has been discontinued and the part number now calls up a bearing press tool, which does not have a stopper/safety.

Pics of the transmission casing and hand pressed in seal below. Several test drives later and not a drop of gear oil on my garage floor. A former forum member I consulted with while doing the job also found this YouTube video of the seal being installed on C50 transmission in another Toyota model. That video also claims that simply pressing the seal in by hand is the way to go. Lastly, I know a mechanic who we called while doing the job who also said the seal just sits in the transmission casing sleeve and can be pushed in evenly by hand. Hope this helps someone someday!

Awesome information! I wonder if it's the same for the automatic. I haven't checked it yet, but one of the reasons my new red RS failed inspection was due to the passenger side axle. I will likely have a seal on standby.

A question for you, Ernie..have you changed your gear box oil? It's one of the things on my maintenance list.

[ern-diz]

Originally Posted by 06YarisRS

A question for you, Ernie..have you changed your gear box oil? It's one of the things on my maintenance list.

Don't remind me LOL! In the very beginning, when I was pretty sure the axle seal wasn't leaking, I did a flush with $40 worth of Royal Purple gear oil (bad idea). When that started spilling out and I knew I had a bad seal, we changed the seal and I dropped another $40 worth of Royal Purp in it. Then the axle ate that new seal, which is what led to changing the seal the second time, along with the axle itself. This time around, I dropped some cheapo, $6 Valvoline gear oil in it just to make sure all is well. Wasn't about to drop another $40+ of Royal Purple in it just to have it puke out on me for a third time. Now that I'm multiple drives in with no leak, my plan is to dump the Valvoline and once again throw some good stuff in it. Maybe Amsoil, or Royal Purple again.

Prior to the axle seal issues, I hadn't considered changing it. You'll find threads and posts across the forum where people have differing opinions about whether or not it's necessary. The job is easy enough, though. One bolt to drain, one bolt to fill. The most challenging part, which wasn't all that challenging at all, was Frankenstein'ing two funnels into one so it was long enough to reach the fill hole from the top of the engine. I bought the longest regular funnel Pep Boys had, along with one of those funnels that has a bendable tube and close valve on it. I pulled the tube off the second funnel and attached to the longer funnel. That gave me the length I needed to fill from above. We didn't want to mess around with a pump as that can get messy (as if things on my garage floor haven't been messy enough!).

[06YarisRS]

Originally Posted by ern-diz

Don't remind me LOL! In the very beginning, when I was pretty sure the axle seal wasn't leaking, I did a flush with $40 worth of Royal Purple gear oil (bad idea). When that started spilling out and I knew I had a bad seal, we changed the seal and I dropped another $40 worth of Royal Purp in it. Then the axle ate that new seal, which is what led to changing the seal the second time, along with the axle itself. This time around, I dropped some cheapo, $6 Valvoline gear oil in it just to make sure all is well. Wasn't about to drop another $40+ of Royal Purple in it just to have it puke out on me for a third time. Now that I'm multiple drives in with no leak, my plan is to dump the Valvoline and once again throw some good stuff in it. Maybe Amsoil, or Royal Purple again.

Prior to the axle seal issues, I hadn't considered changing it. You'll find threads and posts across the forum where people have differing opinions about whether or not it's necessary. The job is easy enough, though. One bolt to drain, one bolt to fill. The most challenging part, which wasn't all that challenging at all, was Frankenstein'ing two funnels into one so it was long enough to reach the fill hole from the top of the engine. I bought the longest regular funnel Pep Boys had, along with one of those funnels that has a bendable tube and close valve on it. I pulled the tube off the second funnel and attached to the longer funnel. That gave me the length I needed to fill from above. We didn't want to mess around with a pump as that can get messy (as if things on my garage floor haven't been messy enough!).

Well, you'll have a pristine transmission. I was looking at 75W90 on Walmart.ca. So you feel the Valvoline isn't up to the task? Always thought their products were pretty darn good. I'll do some more research. I think you should do a tutorial. Many would benefit, no doubt.

[ern-diz]

Originally Posted by 06YarisRS

Well, you'll have a pristine transmission. I was looking at 75W90 on Walmart.ca. So you feel the Valvoline isn't up to the task? Always thought their products were pretty darn good. I'll do some more research. I think you should do a tutorial. Many would benefit, no doubt.

I wouldn't say the Valvoline stuff isn't up to the task. These gear boxes would probably run without oil lol. I was just thinking that since my local Toyota dealership can't sell me the OEM oil (they only have it in guns for techs, not in quart form for sale) and since I probably won't be changing it again, at least for a while, that I might as well spend a few extra pennies for some higher quality gear oil. Call it peace of mind.

Having said that, I've made several drives with the car having the Valvoline oil in it (not even the synthetic stuff, just the regular $6 a quart variety) and it feels great. I've read nothing but positive remarks about Amsoil in other threads across the forum so I was thinking about trying that but after driving the car for a bit with the basic Valvoline oil in it, I'm starting to reconsider if it's even worth the time and money to flush again. I might just run the Valvoline for a while longer and see how it goes.

[06YarisRS]

Originally Posted by ern-diz

I wouldn't say the Valvoline stuff isn't up to the task. These gear boxes would probably run without oil lol. I was just thinking that since my local Toyota dealership can't sell me the OEM oil (they only have it in guns for techs, not in quart form for sale) and since I probably won't be changing it again, at least for a while, that I might as well spend a few extra pennies for some higher quality gear oil. Call it peace of mind.

Having said that, I've made several drives with the car having the Valvoline oil in it (not even the synthetic stuff, just the regular $6 a quart variety) and it feels great. I've read nothing but positive remarks about Amsoil in other threads across the forum so I was thinking about trying that but after driving the car for a bit with the basic Valvoline oil in it, I'm starting to reconsider if it's even worth the time and money to flush again. I might just run the Valvoline for a while longer and see how it goes.

I read too - at Bob is the Oil Guy - that Toyota doesn't sell it in individual bottles. That seems very strange. I'm going to look into the Amsoil myself. I also hear Ravenol makes a 75 GL-4 oil. Also, Redline 75W90 GL-4 is available at Walmart Canada for around $19.00/L. There seemed to be some debate over whether a mulfigrade oil was appropriate for these transmissions.

[stykerdk]

Originally Posted by 06YarisRS

I read too - at Bob is the Oil Guy - that Toyota doesn't sell it in individual bottles. That seems very strange. I'm going to look into the Amsoil myself. I also hear Ravenol makes a 75 GL-4 oil. Also, Redline 75W90 GL-4 is available at Walmart Canada for around $19.00/L. There seemed to be some debate over whether a mulfigrade oil was appropriate for these transmissions.

Here it is for a reasonable price.
https://www.blauparts.com/ravenol-ma...-3-75w-1l.html
Acording to reviews on amazon it is as good as the original Toyota oil.
https://www.amazon.com/Ravenol-J1C10...p?ie=UTF8&th=1