Today I noticed there was a black fluid leaking out by the wheel. I don't know exactly what the part is that is leaking but its by the inside wheel. Any ideas?

 

Could be brake fluid (looks black on the tire) or differential oil. What's it smell like ... really rank or kinda alcohol-like?

 

it smells like some kind of greese. someone said it could be the axle.

 

Sounds like you have a leaking axle seal.

 

how much would that cost to fix? it stopped leaking... is it bad to drive it now?

 

Is this the front or rear axle? If it's the rear axle it's no big deal to fix, pull the shafts (remove pin in carrier and c-clips) and change seals (probably brake shoes too as they'll have oil on them). If it's the front axle, it's a little more work to change the seals, drivers side the carrier needs to be removed, passenger the CAD motor and axleshafts, and a special tool is required to pull the seals into place. As long as you keep track of diff fluid level, and remember that your brakes may not work as well as they should, it'll be fine to drive for a bit. When something stops leaking it's usually a worse sign than when it was leaking...means there's nothing left to leak out....although with the diff it just means the level has dropped to below the level of the bottom of the axle tubes, right around where it usually sits. When you go around corners fluid will get to those areas again.

 

how can I tell the fluid level?

 

How about starting with maybe the YEAR and MODEL of your Ram?



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1998 ram 4X4 5.9 liter

 

That would be a 1500 or 2500?