I am replacing my tailshaft seal cause it was pinched and leaking gear oil everywhere. I got everything apart put there is a rubber bushing or some might say O-ring that is inside the shaft going around a little groove surrounding the output shaft.

I cant for the life of me get this little ***** to go back in and set long enough to put the tail shaft seal back in

Anybody got any tips??? I tried holding one side and pushing it in slowly working around it, I tried 3 hands, I tried tape

NOTHING, cant see how this little thing can be such a pain

So yah tips, tricks,

Dont tell me just leave it out cause yah I want to stop a leak not make it worse hahhaha

 

lol im sorry i cant help but im interested to hear the fix.

 

Yup, shouldn't be an O-ring anywhere within the tail shaft/driveshaft section...

 

Talked to a few toyota techs since the dealer is down the street from work, an older guy said he has a 92 DLX pickup and he's replaced the seal a handfull of times and I guess according to him its probably just silicon placed into the machined groove thats around the bushing??? I showed him the O-ring I pulled out and he said, and I quote "Holy **** how many miles are on your truck cause this is the original silicon, thats why its pressed and formed like an O-ring!" I guess over time the original silicone wears down and whats left is inside the groove, when most people replace it all the silicone is gone or pulls off with the old seal. GREAT now I know that thing hasnt been replaced in 157K miles. HOWEVER have any of you guys whom replaced it used silicone again or do you just replace the seal and call it good ??