What problem could this be?

[03ExplorerSPT]

After I left this morning my mom noticed a spot on the driveway. She thinks it came from my tailpipe 'cause I think it is in the spot where the tailpipe hangs over the driveway. What fluid could come out of there? I thought it would just be condensation but after 4 hours it would have dried up. I don't think its oil but it could be. Any thoughts?

 

[taxx]

Was it deffinately where your tail pipe was or could it have been where your rear diff was?
What color is the fluid

 

[mosinman]

You might be surprised at the amount of water that comes out of your tailpipe. sometimes the tips get rusty on the inside and the drips will stain the concrete. Like taxman2K says, it could also be your rear diff. Time to get under there and check those places. park on some cardboard or something to see exactly where you are leaking from. Another possiblilty is a broken rear shock leaking oil.

 

[03ExplorerSPT]

Ok when I posted earlier I took a guess that it could have been the muffler. Now it turns out that when my truck is parked in the usual spot it looks like the fluid could have com from the rear differential. It's right next to the spot. I'll check later to see if its left anything out there but it wasn't dripping when I turned it off. Is it really possible the differential could be leaking? It wasn't quite as dark as oil but not as light water.

Update: Ok so I just came back in to see if anything was dripping. Its not. Now I'm thinkin its not the differential but somethin else. There is a little trail of drips on the driveway along with the spot. So my guess is something leaked when I was backing out and possibly turning the wheels at the same time. I'll see what happens tomorrow.

 

[mosinman]

Normal stuff would be water from exhaust and water from the AC. Both of these will leave a trail of drips as you park or leave. Diff leaks are easy to find. Look for dark, wet areas.

 

[03ExplorerSPT]

Ok people here is another update. It is not leaking anything from the front, right side or center rear. I know think the filler neck of the fuel tank is leaking. The left rear shock absorber is wet and so is the ground. I took a few pics so you guys could tell me if my assumption is correct. Oh and the other spot on the ground is from yesterday.

As you can see only the bottom portion of the shock is wet. Could something be leaking from inside there? If t was gas wouldn't the outside be wet to? That kina throws off my theory that it was gas.

 

[mosinman]

time to buy new rear shocks. Buy them in pairs only. don''t just replace the broken one.

 

[MONMIX]

If it were gasoline the smell would be a dead give away.
I bet a nickle it is time to go shopping for shocks.

 

[03ExplorerSPT]

MONMIX you are right. I do need new shocks. Can anyone suggest a certain shock I should get or should I just let the dealer put whatever they want on?

 

[taxx]

Depends on how you drive and what sort of ride you want and how much you want to spend. Rancho RS9000s are great adjustable to fit all moods, but at $65 ea. Edlebrock and bilsteins are also great shocks but expensive. For the lower price range and things you can find locally, both the Gabriel VST and the Monroe sensatrac are great shocks. Ford shocks stink, don't have the dealer put those on. Both the monroe and gabriels can be bought and installed at Pep Boys. They are both a tab bit stiffer than factory shocks but IMO respond better and increase your trucks handling.

 

[Leucoandro]

You are right the stock ford shocks suck, I had to replace mine today. I sort of expected it though. my shocks are the original shocks and have over 75000 miles on them. but let me tell you wow. I put the Monroe Reflex shocks on the rear so far, and I am about to put them on the front in a couple minutes. I test drove with just the rear shocks and it makes a heck of a difference. It is alot firmer in turns and I dont get that body roll anymore, and believe it or not, the new shocks gave me about a 1" lift in the Rear, but I think that is just because my old shocks were so worn out (I could compress them with one hand. I Really like the Reflex shocks, it was a toss up though between reflex and sensa trac. I chose the reflex, because when I went to Orielly's I asked to see both and when they brought them out the reflex was noticably bulkier and heavier duty appearing so I chose it. Has anyone here used both the Reflex and the sensa trac? To keep in mind for the next time I need to buy shocks, is the extra $10 per shock worth it?

 

[410Fortune]

it's funny people leave shocks on their trucks so long! SUV's are VERY hard on brakes and shocks. They last about 30K miles.

New shocks = WOW! ride compared to worn out shocks, without shocks you are riding on springs and sway bars.....

 

[MONMIX]

I just got mine replaced under warrenty , but as long as we are on the subject. Who knows of a great ROAD shock. I drive around puddles , my truck is babbied. I want shocks that float down the highway. I am lookin' for pure comfort.