Rear axle fluid dripping on inside of drivers side rim.

[jremington59]

I noticed a small pool of axle fluid on the inside of my back passenger rim. I assume there must be a seal there. I did a search but I'm not even sure of the terminology and was cofused by the threads. I have a 97 5.0 4 door. Can someone give me a little insight on whats involved to fix this? Thanks.

 

[deweyville65]

You have an axle seal leaking. You have to pull the cover off the rear end, draining the fluid. Then pull the spider gear shaft, push the axle in so you can remove the c-clip, then remove the axle. There was a thread on here, with pictures, earlier this week showing how to remove the spider gear shaft. Be sure to check the bearing and axle for wear. If the axle is worn, you can get an axle saver bearing for it.

 

[corkey]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214805&highlight=replace+axle+seal

 

[Mike's brother]

A little on the axle-saver bearings here. I had the same problem, and these things works wonders.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2982802&postcount=28

 

[mr_valingo]

It looks intimidating but when i did mine the hardest part was pumping all the fluid back in

 

[deweyville65]

A piece of clear plastic 3/8" tubing is a must for refilling the rearend. Dont forget the friction modifier for a limited slip rearend.

 

[jremington59]

Thx for the info everyone. So I take it my best bet would be to buy the timkin axle saver bearing with the seal already in place?

 

[deweyville65]

Not necessarily. If your bearing and axle are still good, reuse them. The only thing is, if you have to buy the parts before you tear it down, you may want to go ahead and get the axle saver bearing.

 

[jremington59]

I have to buy the parts ahead of time and I don't see them on Rock Auto's page. I'm thinking at 195,000 miles I might better do them both.

 

[jremington59]

I have one other question. I got the fill cap off and I don't feel any fluid. All I have on hand is NAPA premium performance 80w-85w-90 gear oil. And I can't find my book to know what fluid it takes. Does anyone know the fluid it takes?

 

[white_shadow]

I have one other question. I got the fill cap off and I don't feel any fluid. All I have on hand is NAPA premium performance 80w-85w-90 gear oil. And I can't find my book to know what fluid it takes. Does anyone know the fluid it takes?

if its limited slip, it takes 75w140 synthetic plus the friction modifier. im doing the pinion seal tomorrow in my 98. i got the oil at auto zone for 13$/qt ( need 3 ) and the friction modifier from ford ( 6$ )

 

[jremington59]

I went and picked up the correct fluid and it only took about 6 ounces so it must have just started dripping. I have to find a place to get the Timkin axle saver seals now.

 

[Mike's brother]

Try this. A great price right now.

http://www.amazon.com/Timken-TRP155...UTF8&qid=1344821063&sr=8-1&keywords=TRP1559TV

Just double check you have the right ones for your rig.

 

[bobflood]

While you have everything off and diff drained, you might consider:
- changing seal on other side
- changing parking brake shoes on both sides. Much easier with axle out.

On more thing - Take the diff fill plug out BEFORE you do anything else. You don't want to get diff drained and THEN find out that you can't get fill plug out.