Grease Leaking

[Prime11]

Hi everyone I recently got a 2000 Explorer AWD from a family member who is too old to drive anymore and it all looks pretty good, except there appears to be some grease coming out on the front passenger side axle area (not entirely sure if that's the exact name for where it's coming out of), right before the first rubber booted joint.
There is also a "noise" barely audible, you can more or less feel it rather than actually hear it.

The "noise" seems to be coming from that area when driving sometimes, the closest description is whoop whoop whoop whoop whoop, and it's happening at about the same speed as you read it to yourself (you don't actually hear it you kind of faintly feel it), with it going faster or slower in relation to the tires.

I did a couple of searches but couldn't find anything that matched exactly, any insight into the actual problem and cost to repair along with an idea of the urgency to get it repaired, or what may happen if it's put off for a little while would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much, and if there is another thread with this problem feel free to direct me there (and flame me a little)

 

[Prime11]

Just wondering if anybody had an idea about my problem its right where the axle goes into the housing, thanks

 

[Dan Whitaker]

You need to replace the seal in the housing. Might as well replace the left side as well.

The whoop, whoop, whoop noise is most likely un-even tire ware cuased by several things.

Allignment is off.
Shockes are bad.
Ball joints are bad.
Tires need balancing.
Tread seperation.

 

[Prime11]

Thanks for the info, I have rebuilt a few engines before but don't really have any experience with 4WD or in this case AWD, so I've been reading up on here and checked out a Chilton.

So would replacing those seals require taking off the CV axle, like in this great write-up or not?

I haven't had anyone look at it yet but from what I've seen the shocks all seem pretty good, the alignment seems okay when driving and braking (but I haven't had it looked at at all yet).

The tires are going to be replaced soon. I may rotate them in the mean time to see if that makes a difference they all have nearly identical wear and look in pretty good shape, but they are worn and have weights on them so they may need to be rebalanced like you said.

I just thought there may be a connection between the seal leaking and the sound because that's where the sound seems to be coming from. It seams to be o very slow leak over a long time (just a guess though)

Thanks for your input, you guys to have a great forum here (I've been reading up, around here for a couple of weeks since I knew I was getting my Explorer :exp: )

 

[Dan Whitaker]

So would replacing those seals require taking off the CV axle, like in this great write-up or not?

Yes.

 

[Prime11]

So I suppose my first move would be to check out the gear oil and add some in the mean time guess I'll have to pick up one of those suction tube syringes.

I read 80W90 is recommended, any other suggestions on what to use and how much I need
(I'm going to go check my spec in a second hopefully I 'll see it there)
Thanks

 

[MountaineerGreen]

You'll need 2 quarts of gear oil for the front- actual capacity is near 1.75. As others have said, it is your outer seal, shouldn't be too hard to replace with the diff in the truck.