Front diff leaking

[byrds6]

Ive had the seal replaced twice now. Once under warranty and it still seems to leak either where the axle inserts the differential or at the flange. Any ideas?

 

[drakon543]

Did anyone ever check the axle dia with a micrometer or just toss seals in it. Sounds like the same problem with the 2nd gen dodge rams. Even tho its rubber against steel the seal will eventually wear a groove in the shaft and it will never seal correctly.

 

[byrds6]

I am not sure but supposedly they checked it out when I brought it back in for a warranty repair to see if anything else was going on. First seal was a GM replacement and I think the second one was something else. Its getting annoying.

 

[drakon543]

Well if it was supposedly checked to find out what was going on and it still leaks it sounds like someone didnt actually do the job as they claimed. Probably just tried to rush it out and tossed seals in it. Id pull the shaft out and check it for any variations in the diameter using atleast a good caliper. Sometimes it doesn't take much just a few thousands depth of a groove and it wont seal right.

 

[byrds6]

if something was wrong with the axle itself is it expensive to replace?

 

[byrds6]

Sad I took it back in a third time and they still swear nothing is wrong with the axle. Replaced a retainer clip and now its leaking again. They told me that if it happened again maybe something was wrong on the inside and they would have to tear it all apart and cost me $700-900. This is ridiculous.

 

[Speck]

if something was wrong with the axle itself is it expensive to replace?

I'm right there with you. I took my Denali in to start the process of my 100k mile service, and during their inspection found that my front axle seal is leaking as wel. This will also be my second time having it fixed since purchasing the truck back in 2011. The Denali is an 08. They also found my oil pan is leaking, ac lines are leaking and not charged, and need new ball joints and wheel bearings to be repacked... I'm thinking my funds for getting the truck lowered this year are being diverted to repairs...

Joe

 

[byrds6]

After months of having the fluid in the front diff, what color would it be by now? It rained yesterday and it had fluid on it this morning to the point of almost dripping to the ground. However the fluid feels thin and is still amber in color not brown. I did have the brakes bled today but I dont see how that fluid could have gotten down there. If my some chance there is a way for it to get there it would make sense why it was thin and amber. This whole leaking thing is getting on my last nerve.

 

[Jason_S]

Any chance that is the front seal on your engine leaking and not the diff?

 

[byrds6]

Dont think so. I think the diff sits too far back for the font seal to be leaking onto it. Other than the seal or the axle spline being grooved I cant think of anything else that would cause it. Although the guy that put the seal in says the axle is fine.

 

[mizzouguy]

It may require what they call a redi-sleeve and seal. Its made for axles which have a groove worn into them from long time use. May look into that.

 

[byrds6]

If that's the case why not replace the axle spline. Wouldn't that take care of the groove? Granted the shaft is expensive. Little sucker is like 300 bucks

 

[mizzouguy]

Its a cv axle that year right? Just replace the axle. Or is it an older truck you are talking about with a solid front axle?

 

[byrds6]

2007. Has cv axle. That portion is fine though. The spline is a separate part that doesn't come with the rest of the axle

 

[mizzouguy]

Which side is leaking?

 

[byrds6]

Driver

 

[mizzouguy]

Maybe crawl under it and see if there is excessive play up and down or front to back in that stub shaft that would indicate a bad bearing?

 

[byrds6]

Not sure if that would be a bad bearing or not. But you'd think they thought of that when looking at it to begin with.

 

[mizzouguy]

I'm out of ideas. Good luck

 

[byrds6]

Yeah I know the feeling I'm tired of wasting money and time and the mechanic nit fixing it where I don't have to think about it again.