Is There A Stopleak Product That Might Work For The Front Differential On An 01?

[redhill]

Anyone have any thoughts / experience as to a Stopleak product that might work for two seals related to the front differential in an 01 Sport Trac?

The Input Shaft Seal and Output Shaft Seal are both leaking. I never use 4WD and need to focus on other work but wanted to try something...

Blue Devil's blog says that their Oil Stop Leak product is recommended for differentials and also wondering if Lucas makes one that might work...

Any insight appreciated!

 

[DjDom]

Honestly, it's best to just change the seals. The CV axle seals are fairly easy to fix. The pinion seal is a bit harder but not too bad.
Generally, if these seals are going bad, the breather tube is plugged and not allowing air to escape, making the seals the location of the air's escape.

 

[redhill]

Thanks for the reply.

Is there any way I can clear the breather tube? A mechanic told me that they there would be a lot of labor involved with replacing those seals and I really want to try something before going that route.

On that note, Blue Devil did suggest I use their Oil Stop Leak and Lucas recommends their Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer...

 

[68Mercury250]

find the vent, remove it from the diff, clean it out , put it back in and drive it after to top up the level. if it still leaks put in the stop leak.

good old locking hubs would solve those leak problems, front end wouldn't be turning all the time.

 

[koda2000]

I have changed the front axle seals on my 2000 Mountaineer AWD. Technically it isn't a difficult job, but it took me all day to do because of all the stuff I had to remove to get at the seals. Setting the new seals requires a seal setting tool or it's equivalent. My shocks were in the way of the axles coming out and the upper shock mount bolts broke off during removal, so I had to replace them too.

BTW, Do not buy your replacement seals at Autozone. Their catalog listed the wrong one for (I think) the passenger side. I don't know if they ever fixed their catalog. The pinion seal isn't that hard to change, but you should replace the crush sleeve and make sure to torque the nut to spec. I suppose you could add a stop-leak product to the diff (shouldn't hurt anything) but I don't know that it will do any good. before you do anything make sure you can get the fill plug out.

 

[redhill]

Thanks for the replies guys!

Is there any videos you may know of for the Sport Trac showing how to add fluid to the diff / clean the breather tube / remove the vent / etc?

Frankly, I'm not even sure where it is sure I've got a pretty steep learning curve...

Also, anyone have any suggestions as to what kind of gear oil to use? I believe it takes 10 1/2 quarts but I'm not sure.

Any preference as to Blue Devil vs. Lucas? The Lucas bottle is calling for between 50 - 100% HD Stabilizer in the differential!

Thanks again!

 

[koda2000]

80W90 regular hypoid gear oil for the front diff. The fill plug can be accessed through the wheel well (driver's side if I remember correctly) using a 3/8" drive extension and a ratchet. Check your owner's manual for quantity of oil, but when it's full is will start to run out of fill hole. 10 pints seems like way too much, that's 5 quarts. The rear diff only takes about 2.5-3 quarts to fill it from completely empty. I would think the front would be close to the same amount, maybe less.

If you're not comfortable doing this job, take it to a mechanic. As I said earlier, it took me a full day to do this job and I have all the tools and experience necessary. I probably removed more parts than absolutely necessary, but I like stuff to be out of my way when I work.

Kind of tools required: Floor jack, safety stands, ratchets, extensions, metric sockets, metric wrenches, impact wrench, 2-jaw puller, BFH, seal puller and installer, torque wrench, transfer pump and the like.