Leaking fluid right rear wheel

[sakirfp]

2004 ST XLT w\ 263K miles

So today I noticed some fluid all over the inside of my RR fender. So I looked under there and I thought it was coming from the caliper. I checked the fluid and it was little low. So I got a new caliper and changed it. Took for a test drive and everything seemed fine till I got home. My truck was parked on a sloped area leaning to the right. Then after an hour or so I came out and fluid was all over my drive way. I climbed up under the RR wheel and noticed it was dripping from maybe the center hub area.

Question. Could all that fluid be coming from my axle. Is there a seal on the outer part of the axle that will need changed or fixed. If so how hard would it be. Could it be fixed with out removing the entire axle from the rear end.

Is it worth fixing or just replacing the entire rear end? The rear end was replaced about 130K miles ago with a rear end that had 60K miles on it.

 

[mall]

2004 ST XLT w\ 263K miles

So today I noticed some fluid all over the inside of my RR fender. So I looked under there and I thought it was coming from the caliper. I checked the fluid and it was little low. So I got a new caliper and changed it. Took for a test drive and everything seemed fine till I got home. My truck was parked on a sloped area leaning to the right. Then after an hour or so I came out and fluid was all over my drive way. I climbed up under the RR wheel and noticed it was dripping from maybe the center hub area.

Question. Could all that fluid be coming from my axle. Is there a seal on the outer part of the axle that will need changed or fixed. If so how hard would it be. Could it be fixed with out removing the entire axle from the rear end.

Is it worth fixing or just replacing the entire rear end? The rear end was replaced about 130K miles ago with a rear end that had 60K miles on it.

It sounds like a pinion seal. It is not too bad of a job if that is what it is. You have too remove the drive shaft, the nut behind it and tap or pull the flange off to expose the pinion seal. There is a how to thread in the sticky's on this page for replacing the pinion seal.

 

[sakirfp]

Well I am going to take the wheel off and E-brake in the morning to inspect the that hub[ axle area.

Thanks I am going to look up that thread to see if I want to do this job or pay someone.

 

[sakirfp]

My leak is coming from the axle at the wheel hub.

 

[mall]

I haven't had to replace that seal yet, but I am sure there is one there. I am not sure how hard it is.

 

[2Trux]

There is a huge difference in feel and smell between brake fluid and gear oil. I think that the first step is to identify what the fluid is, then you will have a better idea where to start.

 

[sakirfp]

It is gear oil...I took everything off and there is some massive amount of up and down movement in the axle. It is just running right out of the right side of the axle hub area..You can see photos here. I am now trying to figure out how to remove the axle to replace the outer bearing and seal.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=383549

 

[2TimingTom]

Yes there is a seal. Yes you can do it yourself. Buy a couple extra seals when you buy them- they are cheap. You might booger up a seal trying to get it installed.

You have to open up the differential, remove the C-clip, slide the axle out, and remove the axle seal. It all goes back the opposite way. It's a good excuse to change the rear diff fluid anyway.

 

[sakirfp]

You have to open up the differential, remove the C-clip, slide the axle out, and remove the axle seal. It all goes back the opposite way. It's a good excuse to change the rear diff fluid anyway.

You can see I have removed everything but I am not sure where the c clip is at or how to get this axle out. Here is the photo of the rear end

 

[sakirfp]

I found the C Clip...it works when you add more light to the project and spin the diff-gear around

 

[2TimingTom]

Just going from memory, there's a small 12-pt bolt (maybe it's only a 6 pt) near the bottom of that pic that secures the large pin. Take that bolt out and slide the pin out. Then, push the axle in, remove the c-clip and then slide the axle out.

Have something under the end of the axle tube when the axle comes out- it might leak.

This is all just from memory though.

 

[sakirfp]

I have the axle out now...Any tips on getting that out seal and bearing out..

Should I take a torch and heat the area up..

 

[esclamada]

you don't need to open the differential if the leak is coming from the axle seal. The axle can be popped out easily by a piece of wood. They are held by that c-clip inside the differential.


http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199886&highlight=differential+seal



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[sakirfp]

I got the bearing seal removed. I used a seal removal tool...Now I am trying to figure out how to get this old bearing out.

 

[sakirfp]

The bearing is out...Now time to put it all back together with the new bearing...

 

[2TimingTom]

you don't need to open the differential if the leak is coming from the axle seal.

In the IRS axles you don't, but he has a solid rear axle. You need to open the diff on a solid axle.