My story started summer of '22. I replaced the rear diff cover on my '02 4Runner. Looked great, excellent welding. For whatever reason,
the mechanic that was doing the work somehow didn't fill the diff properly. In about 500 miles I started to hear bad sounds from the rear end.
I checked the level and drained the fluid and it was black as tar (it was a very widely known 75-110 brand). Mechanic admitted he made a mistake.
Agreed to fix it. Patiently waited a couple of months. A few texts here and there. Nothing. Decided to be more proactive.
Timmy the Toolman had a video of ECGS and how he was working on a 4Runner Rear Diff. I liked what I saw. Contacted ECGS and got it set
up to replace my Rear Diff. I proposed to the mechanic that he pay half of the new diff and I would pay other half and for the install.
I chose to let ECGS do the install. Hey, I figured they should be experts and know what they are doing. Let them do it all.
I followed ECGS's instructions to the T. Driving home I would pull over and let diff cool down all the way from their shop to my home. About a 3 1/2
drive one way.
First of Feb as I am greasing underneath, I notice the left rear backing plate is wet and the tire shows those wet strips and around the edge.
Like something has been slung off the tires. I smell it and it is gear oil. I immediately check my gear oil level and it is good.
Took to my new mechanic to confirm the rear seals are leaking. He said ECGS should have been replaced the seals when replacing the rear diff. He said he always gives his customers the option of replacing the seals even if they aren't leaking. Within days, my right rear is now wet.
Contacted ECGS and they said they always replace seals on a Chevrolet but rarely on a Toyota. But since it was leaking to bring it back in
and they would replace seals at no charge. Just a day of vacation for me, LOL. My new mechanic said to get drum brakes and 2 backing plates
as well. Brakes were soaked in gear oil and the backing plates were too rusty. Told ECGS about the brakes and backing plates and my free
seal replacement went to $2100 for them to do the job. I got upset and they finally agreed to refund me $200 of the original $1350.
I just got it "all" replaced today for $1800 total. Toyota OEM parts were $1000. From the diff to the drums were replaced.
What is the moral of this story?
Make sure your diffs are full.
All mechanics are not created equal.
the mechanic that was doing the work somehow didn't fill the diff properly. In about 500 miles I started to hear bad sounds from the rear end.
I checked the level and drained the fluid and it was black as tar (it was a very widely known 75-110 brand). Mechanic admitted he made a mistake.
Agreed to fix it. Patiently waited a couple of months. A few texts here and there. Nothing. Decided to be more proactive.
Timmy the Toolman had a video of ECGS and how he was working on a 4Runner Rear Diff. I liked what I saw. Contacted ECGS and got it set
up to replace my Rear Diff. I proposed to the mechanic that he pay half of the new diff and I would pay other half and for the install.
I chose to let ECGS do the install. Hey, I figured they should be experts and know what they are doing. Let them do it all.
I followed ECGS's instructions to the T. Driving home I would pull over and let diff cool down all the way from their shop to my home. About a 3 1/2
drive one way.
First of Feb as I am greasing underneath, I notice the left rear backing plate is wet and the tire shows those wet strips and around the edge.
Like something has been slung off the tires. I smell it and it is gear oil. I immediately check my gear oil level and it is good.
Took to my new mechanic to confirm the rear seals are leaking. He said ECGS should have been replaced the seals when replacing the rear diff. He said he always gives his customers the option of replacing the seals even if they aren't leaking. Within days, my right rear is now wet.
Contacted ECGS and they said they always replace seals on a Chevrolet but rarely on a Toyota. But since it was leaking to bring it back in
and they would replace seals at no charge. Just a day of vacation for me, LOL. My new mechanic said to get drum brakes and 2 backing plates
as well. Brakes were soaked in gear oil and the backing plates were too rusty. Told ECGS about the brakes and backing plates and my free
seal replacement went to $2100 for them to do the job. I got upset and they finally agreed to refund me $200 of the original $1350.
I just got it "all" replaced today for $1800 total. Toyota OEM parts were $1000. From the diff to the drums were replaced.
What is the moral of this story?
Make sure your diffs are full.
All mechanics are not created equal.