new to forum. I have a 2000 Dakota quadcab 4x4 slt 4.7 with gear oil leaking from rear seal (pinion) of front axle where driveshaft connects. How hard is this to fix. Local trans guy says $900-2000. I have Haynes manual that seems straight forward with some tools that I may have to rent or borrow. Any input would be great. thanks Bill.

 

Holy smokes, what is he going to do for that kind of money, rebuild the whole axle?

Drop the front drive shaft, and shake the pinion. If it doesn't wiggle, just replace the seal, and call it a day. If it moves some, pull the yoke, and check the bearings. Really not a bad job to replace either or both. If the race is bad though, then it needs to come apart.

 

Yeah that's what I said!! $900 for the seal and up to $2000 for a total rebuild. He tells me if the seal is bad that the bearings and races are shot also and that means tearing the whole thing apart. If I do this myself do I really need to pull the axles out or just drop the driveshaft,remove pinion nut,flange, and dig out seal? there is no play in the driveshaft up down or sideways? Any idea what size socket for nut and to drive new seal back in.thanks for any help given.

 

Welcome to DF This is a question better answered by the guys in the 2nd gen Dak section.

 

There's a sticky post at the top of this forum that contains a link to download a shop manual. This will give you a good description of exactly what you need to do to disassemble and reassemble as much or as little of the axle as you will need. The shop manual gives you step-by-step instructions, pictures, and references (if needed) to other assemblies that might be affected. I wouldn't just go "by guess", some axles are easier to work on than others.

 

The shop may be correct usually the seal only leaks if something is wrong other than just the seal.

I looked at the seal replacement in the manual and it looks sort of easy but may be more than you could DIY.

Removing and installing the companion flange could be the big problem DIY.

 

Thanks for the replies. I will try to do a little more research first and see what is needed. It was not making noise it just started leaking that's why I hope its just the seal.

 

Well it was just the seal. No leak anymore. Marked everything and even punched parts so I could put back aligned the right way. $30 for the seal but had to buy an impact gun, that I needed anyway. Not hard even in the street at night. Thanks for your help.