Front pinion seal

[Ray Bates]

I know there have been a few threads on the pinion seals. I recently (August 16th) had the front pinion seal replaced due to leaking. After checking my records, I found out this is the third time. The first in August '98 and the second in September '99. The first two were at one dealer, the last at one I have been going to lately. I also came across Service Bulletin #7918 on the NHTSA site:

Service Bulletin Number: 7918
Bulletin Sequence Number: 123
Date of Bulletin: 0001
NHTSA Item Number: SB612404
Make: FORD TRUCK
Model: EXPLORER
Year: 1998
Component: POWER TRAINRIVELINEIFFERENTIAL:RING AND PINION GEAR (8/82)
Summary: FRONT AXLE PINION LIL SEAL LEAKS.

My main concern is what is causing this leak. It is likely to happen again. I know I should be concerned. Also, would this be covered under the extended warranty? I will have to check with Ford. Being the third time should count for something. Has anyone checked into this issue and found an answer?

By the way, my Explorer was also in for the camchain tensioner noise and for stuttering in the steering wheel when starting off from a stop. They replaced the camchain tensioner, oil restrictor plate and new upper intake gasket. The second problem involved performing special service message 14586/14587 to reprogram JEM. There is a service bulletin on (or similar to) this. Thanks.

 

[eokie1]

Well, I finally got my front axle pinion seal leak fixed....I installed one from O'Reilly's, and I don't know if it was the way I did it, but it leaked worse than before I fixed it!!! Got one from Ford, it had grease already applied to the seal, and seemed to be made a little differently...anyway, after putting it in, no more leaks. I used the Sythetic 85w-140 from Ford, $17/qt.!!!!! Probably not necessary, but didn't want to take any chances, not using the lube Ford spec's.....btw, if you like me, don't have the special tool to drive the seal into the pinion housing, I made one out of 1-1/4" galvanize floor flange, 3" 1-1/4" nipple, and a 1-1/4" cap on the end to pound on....the floor flange is not completely smooth on the flat end, but is close enough....
James Jensen '96 Eddie Bauer V8 AWD 90k miles
n. of Dallas, TX

 

[Yomie]

Originally posted by Ray Bates
My main concern is what is causing this leak. It is likely to happen again. I know I should be concerned. Also, would this be covered under the extended warranty? I will have to check with Ford. Being the third time should count for something. Has anyone checked into this issue and found an answer?

By the way, my Explorer was also in for the camchain tensioner noise and for stuttering in the steering wheel when starting off from a stop. They replaced the camchain tensioner, oil restrictor plate and new upper intake gasket. The second problem involved performing special service message 14586/14587 to reprogram JEM. There is a service bulletin on (or similar to) this. Thanks.

My front pinion seal was leaking jan of 2002 and i had it replaced Feb 2002 at the dealership. The dealership replaced it under warranty.

I went in and told them my front and rear pinion seals were leaking and that i would like them replaced, they said no problem, it will be covered under warranty. When i got my reciept it shows that they replaced my rear pinion seal and my front RING, PINION, BEARINGS, AND SEAL all under extended warranty (truck had about 70K miles on it)