I went under my truck again and noticed yet another leak. It's not enough that it's dripping on the ground, but it is still annoying.

On the bottom of the left front knuckle, I noticed that some fluid was dripping down. The fluid is more like a clear/translucent brown color.

My first thought was brake fluid. But, I checked the lines and did not notice any cracks or tears. Would I need to have someone pump the brakes in order to make sure it's not brake fluid. If it is indeed brake fluid...I'm guessing the truck is not safe to drive until it's fixed. Is this right?

My second thought was that gear oil was leaking out of the left front axle. But, how do I determine if it's gear oil? Front what I've read on the forum gear oil has a pretty distinct and harsh smell...yet this fluid that I noticed does not have a bad odor.

Any thoughts?

pf

 

It's on the front left?
Makes me think Power steering fluid.

If it is brake fluid, a lot depends on how much your leaking. I really don't think it is BF though. If it were, I would think that under pressure, your crack in the hose would open really quickly.

 

If it looks like a decent amount of fluid has "spilled", check both your power steering reservoir and your brake fluid. Either look like they're missing any?

My bet would be on your axle seal, mine is doing the same thing in the same location (if I understand your description accurately). Any pics?

 

I'll try to post pix tomorrow. It's dark out now. I went out again before and I really think it's leaking from the front axle. I turned the wheel all the way to the right to get a better look and you can see how fluid has leaked all over the inside of the knuckle behind where the u joint is. I also took another smell test and it had a very odd smell. I think it's thicker (and darker) than brake fluid too.

Exactly what seal is this? Is it a pain to do? I was going to order and install new bearing real soon. Is this something I will be able to get to when I do those?

 

it sounds like the axle seal is bad. i'm taking a sleep break from mine right now. i worked on it for a little while before it got dark and i'm gonna finish it tomorrow. you have to remove both driveshafts and the guts of the front differential to get at that seal.

if the fluid smells like a$$ then its differential fluid.

if you are planning on changing your bearings (bearings are sealed into the hub) then you should replace the u joints while you are at it so you won't have to take the hubs off again for a while. this would also be the best time to change the axle seals because once you have the hubs off then you will be halfway done with getting to the seals.

hub replacement DIY: http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech/hub.php

axle seal replacement DIY: http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech/axleseal.php

 

My 95 just started doing this last week or so as well.