OK whats leaking how hard etc

[mr_onmyway]

OK whats leaking here is it the axle seal? what do they run to replace them and how hard ar they too get out... the leak started just today am I safe driving it for a bit till I can get some time off to work on it, or do i need to get it into the shop? anything else I need to know or ask?

[DryHeatDude03]

Yeah looks like the axle seal to me bro. Depends on how bad its leaking if you wanna drive it. If its just seeping a little bit you'll prob. be ok for a bit.

[99bigred]

if your not using your 4wd and your sure the hubs are unlocked then you should be ok for a while.

[mr_onmyway]

well in the last 2 weeks I have used the 4wheel 3 or 4 times and its looking like i will need it every day this week.

[99bigred]

is it spraying out or dripping or just that little bit on the axle?

[mr_onmyway]

not real sure found one big drop and one little drop on the drive way this evening so I am thinken it started leaking this afternoon. I do know it was not leaking last sunday as I was under the truck changing oil etc...

[99bigred]

if you have to drive it id keep an eye on how fast it is leaking and use the 4wd as little as posible. you could check the fluid level ocasionally but i dont think it is to important as long as it doesnt leave a puddle or spray the underside of the truck. i think it is a fairly difficuilt thing to fix but i have never done it.
good luck

[tubular031]

Mine were like that right after i got my truck. i also had the little seal rings hanging on the nuckle (see this post - What are these rings? ). the shop told me that i needed the hub seals replaced. when they were doing the repair i poped in to check up and they had the front diff open and the axles out. that is above my head of repaires so i am glad they did it. They charged me $400 ish i think? its hard to tell since they did a bunch of other things and my total bill was $3500 :O

[mr_onmyway]

Well I drove it this AM about 35 miles to work in the snow but I did not engage the 4x4 (it was not real bad) and I just went out and checked and there were no new drips on the new snow. SO i guess the question now is. anyone know a webpage that details how to replace the axle seals?

Thanks for all the info so far.

[mschn99]

there is a special tool to replace them.....the seals on the outside are not the axle seals...they are just dust seals to try to keep dust out of the inner axle seals...

To replace the front axle seals...the carrier has to come out of the diff....the you pop the seals out and press the new ones it....you have to be really carefull not to tweek the new seals at all and not to knock the guide cones out when you knock the old seals out......