Leaking Front Differential Seal

[mikekey]

Just noticed this while inspecting my front suspension and making my plans for the rest of what needs fixed. I still have the tire on, and she's in the driveway, not getting dirty today, but I guess I'll pop stuff off this weekend for a closer inspection.

Rand my finger around the boot which looks ok. Usually I thought grease around the CV was signs of a bad CV. But I'm not 100% sure where the grease is coming from. Or is this what a leaking front differential seal looks like?

Any chance anyone has seen this before?

[Wahugg]

Looks like your front diff is leaking through the drivers side diff seal. Mine looked the same way.

-Wahugg

[navigator]

how is the fluid level in your diff?
My diff seal started leaking awhile back but nothing like that.
It leaked a few weeks with no real noticeable drop but I was afraid to run it too long before I fixed it.

[mikekey]

Guess I better break out some tech info and get a seal. Maybe a good time to go to the other side and do the AWD sleeve too.

[Moots1288]

Yes that doesn't look much like cv grease, you're best bet is to pop the cv out

[Trail X]

Agreed, drive side seal. Mine's doing something similar, but from the rear seal. Looks very similar. I'm not so worried for the short term, since I have a replacement front diff sitting in the garage. Every month I've been checking the level and adding a bit more.

[ErikSS]

and do the AWD sleeve too.

What is this AWD sleeve you speak of??? NO SUCH THING!
ok, maybe. I helped put one in Hatchets truck. Go hotness(AJ)!

[mikekey]

Well I updated the thread title incase this happens to anyone else who's looking for answers or has something similar happen (considering Wahugg's photo looks just like mine). And I guess technically this thread belongs in Differentials / Axles.

My front diff hasn't been rebuilt and we rolled over 100K last year after our trip out west, so I think I'll just follow Jame's write up and do the whole thing. I'm already rebuilding half the front end, lol.

Might be wise to find a rear axle and regear while I'm at it. Sigh.

[Moots1288]

Well I updated the thread title incase this happens to anyone else who's looking for answers or has something similar happen (considering Wahugg's photo looks just like mine). And I guess technically this thread belongs in Differentials / Axles.

My front diff hasn't been rebuilt and we rolled over 100K last year after our trip out west, so I think I'll just follow Jame's write up and do the whole thing. I'm already rebuilding half the front end, lol.

Might be wise to find a rear axle and regear while I'm at it. Sigh.

It would be a good idea but you don't need to pull the front diff to change a seal ..

[navigator]

and it is only about a $12 part.
I would change the seal now and worry about the rest of the diff when you regear.

[bartonmd]

Mine has been leaking for a while, too. I just top off the fluid every few months and it is good. Hasn't taken more than 1/2 a cup so no big deal right now...

[KE7WOX]

Mine is leaking quite a bit, for the 2nd time, and I just keep refilling it.

Depending on how much it leaks the CV shaft might start flinging oil everywhere so the whole underside will get messy.

That said, it's a pretty easy process, remove tire, pop the UCA off the UBJ, remove the CV off the diff, remove the seal, perform the reverse procedure, no need to drop the diff or anything crazy like that. Easier said than done, however.

[navigator]

yeah, I had to get a slide hammer seal puller from Advance Auto to get mine out.