hey guys my front axle is leaking gear oil now im guessing there is a seal on it, the question to you is how hard is it to change, any special tools i need.
also it shouldn't leak unless my vent is clogged... is this right? i worked in a repair shop for 6 months (rear axles only) and changed axle seals but im not sure what the dodge front axle is like and such, but every time a seal went it was cause the vent was clogged or broke off and filled with mud.
So please help

 

what part of the front axel is leaking

 

if its the pumkin leaking you wont need any special tools, just a socket set to get the cover off, some sort of scraping device to get the old gasket off, and a tube of high temp rtv (correct me if im wrong on the high temp part), and new gear oil. u can try to see if the vent is clogged, but the gasket coulda just gone bad. if its leaking at the axle sides ur talking a entirely different game, those are a bit more involved to replace. can it be done in ur driveway, sure but ur gonna be swearing alot.

 

sorry its the drivers side where the axle comes out, right next to the wheel

 

You don't really need any special tools , but you have to take the carrier out. Which means removing both axles and the intermediate shaft. The only prob you might have is if the carrier is in there real tight, then you'll need a case spreader. And since you have to take the right side out also, you might as well change that seal too. However , that one needs another special tool. There is more involved than just pulling the right side also. The CAD is there, and there is a bushing in the end of the right outer shaft where it connects to the intermediate shaft and a bushing or small roller bearing that the intermediate shaft rides on. If it's going to be taken apart, you'll only want to do it once, and do it right.

 

yea figured my uncle changed his once and had to get tools made and said it was a royal pain, haha

 

Well, you don't need to make the tools, but they have everything, including parts/tools and a dvd of how to do it if you buy . http://quad4x4.com/

 

here's an easy step by step process.
1. take truck completely apart piece by piece.
2. replace 2 seals that cost about $5.
3. reassemble the entire truck.

http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech/axleseal.php

 

LOL! Not a job for a DIY really. :-) Good news is I've done it many times,(and have the tools)too bad I don't know where he lives and it's probably not any where close to where I do .

 

haha i doubt it i live in saskatoon