Help - Major fluid leak

[jarman1]

I noticed several small spots of fluid in my driveway directly beneath the rear of my car where the differentil and spare tire is. I looked up underneath and there was fluid all over the place. It literally looked like something exploded. It looks like oil, but I'm not sure whether engine oil goes that far back. There is no sign of fluid leaking underneath the engine or transmission. I noticed above the differential there appeared to be a rubber boot with a lot of tubes around it. The boot appears to be very worn. It had no fluid in it. I know nothing about cars, and I am very concerned. I had not noticed a problem driving, nor any strange noise.

Any suggestions or advise would be much appreciated.

jarman1

[corbinwaterski]

It could be your differential breather tube. If water got into your differential, it would displace the oil, pushing it out of the breather tube. Have your diff fluid checked out.
The boot with the cables/wires around it is the proportioning valve for your rear brakes - no fluid. It senses how much weight is on the rear of your vehicle and adjusts the braking power of your rear brakes.
Here is a link with some more info and some pictures of the breather.
http://www.off-road.com/toyota/cheaptricks/breathers/

[jarman1]

Thanks for the response to this issue. Took the 4-Runner to mechanic today and he claims it is a pinion seal problem that can be cured with a little donation of $350 bucks. Ouch!

Thanks again. Jarman

[corbinwaterski]

Thanks for the update.