Hard to tell where rear diff is leaking...

[jghake]

Hey guys. I came home from vacation last night and as I pulled my Explorer into my parking spot I noticed oil marks on the driveway. I climbed underneath to notice that the rear diff is leaking. I found the sticky about replacing the seals, and I don't have a problem doing all the work myself and I don't anticipate any issues but my truck appears to be leaking at the axle, not the front near the pinion gear. I wanted to post pictures to see what you guys thought before I started ordering parts.

I am on a very small budget, so I am trying to keep the costs as low as possible. Please make any recommendations!

Front of Diff

Driver Axle

Passenger Axle

Diff Cover

 

[waskly]

looks like passenger side axle.

 

[jghake]

looks like passenger side axle.

It does appear that way...

Are there any guides for this? People are saying "Use a 2x2 and whack it". I'm sure I will have to take the wheel/hub off and everything to get to this, am I right?



EDIT: DOH! I found a guide....

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=318515&highlight=axle+seal

 

[Ronin8002]

It does appear that way...

Are there any guides for this? People are saying "Use a 2x2 and whack it". I'm sure I will have to take the wheel/hub off and everything to get to this, am I right?



EDIT: DOH! I found a guide....

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=318515&highlight=axle+seal

Check the vent hose also that comes out of the top of the diff and blow thru it to make sure its not blocked. I got an axle seal leak one time because my oversized spare tire had pinched the hose, causing a buildup of pressure in the diff which led to the leak. Went away as soon as I rerouted the hose so it wasn't pinched.

 

[jghake]

I will take a look at that before I start tearing things apart.

That guide I found says "thanks Ronin" for the pictures of removing the seal, but I don't see any pictures. Do you still have those? Also is it necessary to have the 3 prong seal puller or can I get it out with the standard seal remover? (I have one that is shaped like a hammer with hooks on the ends) Also is the Lisle 17850 required or can I just line it up and tap it in with a hammer?

 

[Ronin8002]

I will take a look at that before I start tearing things apart.

That guide I found says "thanks Ronin" for the pictures of removing the seal, but I don't see any pictures. Do you still have those? Also is it necessary to have the 3 prong seal puller or can I get it out with the standard seal remover? (I have one that is shaped like a hammer with hooks on the ends) Also is the Lisle 17850 required or can I just line it up and tap it in with a hammer?

Go to the thread in the top part of the modified 3rd gen forum titled "Aussie locker install." He got the pics from there.

I didn't do my seals myself but I am sure there's more than one way to skin the cat when it comes to pulling and installing the seals. Try it your way and if it works, post some comment to that effect in the thread.

 

[tower]

I will take a look at that before I start tearing things apart.

That guide I found says "thanks Ronin" for the pictures of removing the seal, but I don't see any pictures. Do you still have those? Also is it necessary to have the 3 prong seal puller or can I get it out with the standard seal remover? (I have one that is shaped like a hammer with hooks on the ends) Also is the Lisle 17850 required or can I just line it up and tap it in with a hammer?

Just did mine, it was not hard. I did not use a seal puller a small flat screw driver worked great and I used a block of wood with a long piece of wood screwed on to it to hammer the new seal in. The 2 hard parts are getting the knuckle off and getting the new seal in. it took about 1 1/2 to 2 hrs.

 

[jghake]

So I read through your Aussie locker install and I love the idea! Unfortunatly I don't need to/have the money to spend to make it happen! I do however believe I can get the seals repaired.

One thing I noticed is that you said the diff cover is not removable when in the truck. I was planning on pulling the cover off to put a new seal in. Will I have to remove the diff from the truck to do that?! If I will, I won't replace that seal, just the axle shaft seal...

 

[Ronin8002]

So I read through your Aussie locker install and I love the idea! Unfortunatly I don't need to/have the money to spend to make it happen! I do however believe I can get the seals repaired.

One thing I noticed is that you said the diff cover is not removable when in the truck. I was planning on pulling the cover off to put a new seal in. Will I have to remove the diff from the truck to do that?! If I will, I won't replace that seal, just the axle shaft seal...

Yeah there's definitely no way that cover is coming off without dropping the diff. You'll see what I mean when you get under there and look at it again.