Source of this leak?
01-12-18, 03:53 PM
#32
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
01-12-18, 05:25 PM
#33
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Popped the drain open.... nothing. Not a drip 
I filled it up, took it for a spin around the block at 30mph and under, got back in the garage, and immediately saw her puddling. Axle seal is completely shot. Going to call Lexus when they open in the morning and see if they have a seal in stock. If so, that's what my Saturday will be spent doing.
And for the flush, once I get the seal replaced and get it to actually hold fluid, I'll likely just do a fluid change a night for a week to see where it's at. Huge pain in the *** to get it up on jackstands, remove the skid plate, and everything else only to put it all back together and do it all over again so I think spreading it out will help. I don't mind an hour and a half each evening till the fluid runs clear.
I'm just hoping that a fresh seal at that axle doesn't push it out the other side or the seal between the diff and transfer case
And now I'm wondering if the seal being that bad is the reason the axle has so much play....
I filled it up, took it for a spin around the block at 30mph and under, got back in the garage, and immediately saw her puddling. Axle seal is completely shot. Going to call Lexus when they open in the morning and see if they have a seal in stock. If so, that's what my Saturday will be spent doing.
And for the flush, once I get the seal replaced and get it to actually hold fluid, I'll likely just do a fluid change a night for a week to see where it's at. Huge pain in the *** to get it up on jackstands, remove the skid plate, and everything else only to put it all back together and do it all over again so I think spreading it out will help. I don't mind an hour and a half each evening till the fluid runs clear.
I'm just hoping that a fresh seal at that axle doesn't push it out the other side or the seal between the diff and transfer case
And now I'm wondering if the seal being that bad is the reason the axle has so much play....
01-12-18, 06:23 PM
#34
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Okay guys, I'm gonna have to tap out and get this thing flatbedded to a mechanic. With fluid in it I can now see it leaking from the rear driveshaft seal as well. I'm really not looking forward to the repair bill on this one, namely because this will be the first time I've ever paid a mechanic to work on one of my vehicles. But then again, FWD Honda's are NOT an LS 460 L AWD.
Does anybody know what I can expect for quoted hours? I know dropping the trans is necessary to properly reseal the differential, so I'm expecting 20+
. Also, what are the other items I should absolutely have them do "while they're in there"?
Does anybody know what I can expect for quoted hours? I know dropping the trans is necessary to properly reseal the differential, so I'm expecting 20+
. Also, what are the other items I should absolutely have them do "while they're in there"?
01-12-18, 08:13 PM
#35
Thats not good. Nothing came out?
Did you check the transfer case and rear diff?
You may have bigger choices to make. How that didnt make noise and it has no fluid is ahh - problem.
Ebay has used diffs for cheap with warranty. This will need rebuilt, and I'm certain replacing it with used 15X cheaper.
Sorry man. Please check the other items before it leaves your sight!
Did you check the transfer case and rear diff?
You may have bigger choices to make. How that didnt make noise and it has no fluid is ahh - problem.
Ebay has used diffs for cheap with warranty. This will need rebuilt, and I'm certain replacing it with used 15X cheaper.
Sorry man. Please check the other items before it leaves your sight!
01-12-18, 08:23 PM
#36
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
I definitely will, I have tomorrow and Sunday to sort her out before I can get it into a shop on Monday. If they recommend a rebuild/replace I will definitely be going with a used unit and having them install it after inspection and with no warranty implied.
And to be sure, transaxle (are you interchanging the term with transmission or do ours have a dedicated transaxle?) drain and fill plugs are accessed through the passenger wheel well?
And to be sure, transaxle (are you interchanging the term with transmission or do ours have a dedicated transaxle?) drain and fill plugs are accessed through the passenger wheel well?
Last edited by 213374U; 01-12-18 at 08:26 PM.
01-13-18, 09:36 AM
#37
Pole Position
Man that sucks, and am I reading it right? You need a rear diff too?
What the heck happened to your car? Flood?
You can get used units online, I saw a front differential (free shipping) for $350 and there's plenty of rear differentials for that price range. I'd probably say it's 10-15 hours labor to have them both replaced at an independent. So maybe $1,500-$2,000 in labor, plus another $700-$1,000 for used repelacement parts.
What the heck happened to your car? Flood?
You can get used units online, I saw a front differential (free shipping) for $350 and there's plenty of rear differentials for that price range. I'd probably say it's 10-15 hours labor to have them both replaced at an independent. So maybe $1,500-$2,000 in labor, plus another $700-$1,000 for used repelacement parts.
01-13-18, 10:35 AM
#39
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Man that sucks, and am I reading it right? You need a rear diff too?
What the heck happened to your car? Flood?
You can get used units online, I saw a front differential (free shipping) for $350 and there's plenty of rear differentials for that price range. I'd probably say it's 10-15 hours labor to have them both replaced at an independent. So maybe $1,500-$2,000 in labor, plus another $700-$1,000 for used repelacement parts.
What the heck happened to your car? Flood?
You can get used units online, I saw a front differential (free shipping) for $350 and there's plenty of rear differentials for that price range. I'd probably say it's 10-15 hours labor to have them both replaced at an independent. So maybe $1,500-$2,000 in labor, plus another $700-$1,000 for used repelacement parts.
I'm still trying to nail down exactly what you're referencing but the biggest trouble I seem to be having with this car is finding any DIY information (pictures even) online. Maybe, when I trade it in after repairs, I should be looking for something like an ISF which has a community full of guys who have taken them down to the frame and put them back together again.
Last edited by 213374U; 01-13-18 at 10:42 AM.
01-13-18, 11:01 AM
#40
Lexus Fanatic
What could have caused your car to have these problems? Flood? Hitting something hard underneath at highway speeds? Sorry to hear about what you are going through.
01-13-18, 01:54 PM
#41
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Okay, transfer case and rear diff fluid were dark, but normal. No contaminants, metal, water, etc, and viscosity was still good. Swapped out for fresh Lucas 75W-90 Synthetic. Right now it's looking like just the front differential needing a reseal, unless of course they find chewed up metal when they crack it open.
One thing I noted, both were under pressure when I popped the fill plug loose. Maybe someone can tell me if this is normal.
No idea what could have caused it.
One thing I noted, both were under pressure when I popped the fill plug loose. Maybe someone can tell me if this is normal.
No idea what could have caused it.
01-13-18, 01:54 PM
#42
It really does, but I'm not sure on the rear diff yet. I'm doing some research now before I head out and get greasy but will be checking the transaxle and rear diff shortly. If the diff needs replaced I'll definitely be buying used, though I think the one you've found for $350 is one I've also seen that has 152K miles on it. There's one for a bit more ($530 shipped) that only has 70K miles.
I'm still trying to nail down exactly what you're referencing but the biggest trouble I seem to be having with this car is finding any DIY information (pictures even) online. Maybe, when I trade it in after repairs, I should be looking for something like an ISF which has a community full of guys who have taken them down to the frame and put them back together again.
I'm still trying to nail down exactly what you're referencing but the biggest trouble I seem to be having with this car is finding any DIY information (pictures even) online. Maybe, when I trade it in after repairs, I should be looking for something like an ISF which has a community full of guys who have taken them down to the frame and put them back together again.
Last edited by sha4000; 01-14-18 at 10:35 AM.
01-15-18, 09:48 AM
#44
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
She's going to the best independent Lexus mechanic in North Austin on Thrusday morning. AllData shows diff replacement at 14-16 hours so that should be similar, and they quoted $115.75/hr so I'm hoping to be out the door around $2K. Just grabbed an E-Class off Turo to get me around for the next 2.5 weeks or so for $550, much better than a Hyundai Accent or whatever other econo car a standard rental agency would have stuck me in.