Axle Seal Leak

[TexasAggie09]

Howdy Yall,
Came home today to find a little puddle on the ground underneath the passenger end of my axle. I thought maybe my ball joint lost its grease but upon closer inspection, its wet inward of the U-Joint. My bearings (including needle) and u-joints were replaced about a 1-1.5 years ago so I assume the seals were too. Is this an outer axle seal? How much work is this to tear into? How about cost for a shop? I'm very mechanically inclined but just never had to tear into my axle past the brake rotors. Thanks!

[dereku]

That outer seal is just a dust seal. There is an inner axle seal that stops oil from coming out. I dont know how that one comes out but it is not hard to get there. Mise well do the ball joints too and u joint while you are in there.

[TexasAggie09]

Thanks for the reply. After further reading I assume its the inner seal now. I've read that the axle shaft needs to be pulled (obviously) which seems like kind of a pain for a first-timer. I guess I'll check the level of the differential first and make sure it isn't overflow. Also I had the ball joints and u-joint done 1-1.5 years ago so those should be good still.

Forgot to mention its my front axle and auto hubs shouldn't be engaged when in 2wd (99% of the time I am) so I guess it's not too urgent to address this before a trip this coming weekend huh?

[alberta 7.3]

Before you tear into it, check the vent hose. They can plug up with crap, then push oil out the seals when it warms up. Not so likely on a front diff, but worth checking.

[Younggun]

does anyone have part numbers for the axle components? I want to rebuild mine, and I was going to order off RockAuto; just want to make sure I get the right stuff.