The front passenger side axle is leaking (4x4). The joint is tight, but there is a small pool of fluid on the bottom bracket for the ball joint.

It could be because I didn't clean it (2 days ago) before reinstalling the axle. I am going to wipe it up to see if it is actually leaking.

--Dan

 

how do I know it is in far enough? I had to hit it with a punch to knock it out, so I kept pushing it in and turned the hub assembly until it felt smooth (both left and right steering angles.

I probably messed up when getting it back straight then putting the washer in and tightening the hub nut.

Just a tip to help me know the axle is in far enough.

 

If it rolls easy when turned, it's in far enough.

The seal is really easy to trash, fortunately, the passenger side isn't that bad to change, just take off the cad housing, and there it is. (of course, you have to remove the axle to do it....)

 

Well, I think I was just paranoid. I went back at it and tapped it in a bit, then re-tightened everything. I cleaned the axle grease then drove it 4 miles. Came back and there was nothing leaking.

I think what I saw was just residual from when I pulled the axle shaft.

On a SIDE NOTE: my read diff fluid is brown and creamy. There is a small weeping leak (no drops) near the seal right at the yoke where it goes to the driveshaft.

I had the diff replaced 4 years ago (They said it was bad backlash). Any thoughts?

 

If it's starting to leak, it will only get worse..... How is the bearing there? Any slop to it?

 

well, it seems the diff fluid being a honey brown is normal, as some fluids come that color. But since I had the diff replaced 30K miles ago, it is due for a change. I probably should have changed it earlier because of wear in of the new diff.

 

no slop. But my wheels weren't off the ground. I tried to move it around but it wouldn't budge.

Going in reverse while backing out of the bay made a noise that sounded a bit like binding or like creaking brakes.

 

4x4 on a high traction surface like concrete will do that.

If it isn't sloppy, just change the seal.

 

Also, my truck bed is loaded (in the process of moving). I probably have about 1500 lbs in the truckbed.

 

I wasn't in 4x4. Are we talking about the rear diff right now? I hijacked my own thread and I thought we were talking rear now.

How tough is it for a beginner to change the seal? I am a top end, brakes, shocks type of guy. I hate working suspension and driveline. Took me 4 hours to do one passenger front u-joint on my first try.