Leaky axles????

[patman8800]

I own a 99 4 runner SR5 and I went for a state inspection sticker and the guy failed me because I had a unfunctional emergency brake. The mechanic said my rear axle is leaking fluid on my drum shoe which was therefore causing the e-brake malfunction. I haven't seen a drop of fluid in my driveway where my vehicle is parked to reveal a leak. Is this something that happens???

[4x4mike]

Do your brakes work regularly?
It could be an axle seal or a wheel cylinder. Both could leak and cause a malfunction. How do they test the emergency brake? More than pulling up the handle?

[Bob98SR5]

yes, what is considered non-functional? wehn you pull the e-brake, will it stop the vehicle?

a leaky rear axle is most likely caused by a plugged rear diff breather. the effect is that fluid needs to go out somewhere---and that is the outer main rear axle seal.

[YotaFun]

Most likely a axle seal blew.
Had the same issue, your brakes will seem to function normal until you start noticing your front rotors to warp (at least this is how it happen to me)
Sometime there will be signs of axle leak on your tires or rear of the drums, but I never had fluid on the driveway either so I never knew about it.

How does VA test the e-brake?
Do they just put it on and then put it in gear and gun it to see if it will move?

[Wingnut]

Quite common on trucks over 100k miles. Could be a breather, could just be worn out seals. Inner seals are about $15 for both sides, but you need to pull the axles to change them. You will need to replace your brake shoes as well. Plan to spend significantly more if you need to have someone else do it for you.

The VA safety inspectors usually pull the e-brake when pulling the car into the inspection stall to see if it works.

[Bob98SR5]

here's how you change out the outer seals:

http://4runners.org/writeups/rearseal/index.htm

[patman8800]

The VA inspection is a simple e-brake pull to see if it stops vehicle. I spoke with a Toyota tech today and he said it was common in 4 runners. Apparently it is seal. It is leaking fluid on my rear drum. He said it would be $350, parts and labor to fix. He also said you could just replace seal but to do it right it is a little more involved. He also mentioned that Totota wouldn't admit to the the issue but the rear axles weren't made heavy enough for the weight for 4 runners especially if any towing is involved, because this a everyday problem.

Does this info sound correct?

Thanks for the help and advice!

[Bob98SR5]

you have the solution above. it would literally cost you less than $30 to do it yourself. maybe a little more if you replace the rear breather. look on my 4runners.org and look for the rear diff breather mod.