Is this the sign of an upcoming Birf rebuild? PICS included

[MoGas]

The birf knuckle section of the front axle takes molybdenum disulfide grease that is gray in color. I really hope that you didn't fill the pipe plug with red Mobil1 grease. That is wheel bearing grease. If the axle seal is bad, you will get gear oil mixing with the knuckle grease and leaking out of the felt wipers. You would be able to smell the oil over the moly grease smell. If it were really bad, the oil will work it's way out to the drive flange through the wheel bearings. That is usually when the bearings get wiped out. If you didn't mix grease types, you will be fine for a while. If you did put the red grease in the knuckle, you accelerated the need for a birf job. The two types of grease are not compatible.

 

[MoGas]

On another note, the birf knuckle isn't supposed to be fully packed with grease. Only about 2/3rds.

Just looking at the images, the grease on the ball is not a big deal. The grease will thin out a little and you can get oily residue that drips out a little. If it doesn't smell like gear oil, you will be fine for quite a while.

 

[RMP&O]

On another note, the birf knuckle isn't supposed to be fully packed with grease. Only about 2/3rds.

Just looking at the images, the grease on the ball is not a big deal. The grease will thin out a little and you can get oily residue that drips out a little. If it doesn't smell like gear oil, you will be fine for quite a while.

Agree, which is why I said I don't see oil. Yeah dirty grease that is maybe thinned but not a bunch of soup leaking out. That I can see anyways.

 

[Schattenjager]

What are the best seals to use for this job?

 

[1911]

What are the best seals to use for this job?

For the inner axle seals, Marlin Crawler heavy-duty dual-lip units are hands-down the very best. I won't use anything else in my trucks.
http://www.marlincrawler.com/axle/front-axle-parts/front-service-parts/service-front-fj80/hd-inner-axle-seal-fj80

Of all the ball wiper seals I've tried, I far and away like the Longfield "lifetime" wiper seal the best: http://www.longfieldsuperaxles.com/products.php?product=TOYOTA-KNUCKLE-LIFETIME-WIPER-SEALS

For all the other gaskets and bearing seals, use OEM Toyota or a high-quality kit (usually with OEM pieces) from Cruiser Outfitters or Marlin Crawler.
http://www.marlincrawler.com/axle/front-axle-parts/front-service-parts/service-front-fj80/knuckle-service-kit-fj80

http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/seals.html

 

[RMP&O]

I am a big fan of Marlin products and like everything they make.

However, I said it before in this thread and I will say it again. There is lots going around about the Marlin seals not being as good as OEM in the 80-series front axle.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-corner/480658-80-series-axle-advice-needed.html

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/375880-tips-front-axle-service.html

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/282499-marlin-crawler-inner-oil-seals-installation-tool.html


and there is more on Mud about this if you care to search yourself and read about it. Don't say I didn't warn ya...

 

[Schattenjager]

Yup - a few shops are refusing to use the Marlin seals because they are creating extra work. Staying with Toyota. Oh, what a feeling!

 

[brentbba]

Complete compliation on a birf job in the 80 series FAQ here:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/78276-front-axle-rebuild-faq.html

I'm no expert needing a lot of guidance from a more experienced friend when I rebuilt mine, but I dont like the greenish look you've got there (diff fluid mixing with knuckle grease - the making of birf soup!).