Hey all! Any advice would be great. So I just bought this 2005 caravan sxt . 126k miles runs great except it started leaking alot of tranny fluid a week after I bought it. It's coming from the driver side right where the cv axle goes into the tranny. I replaced the cv axle seal like 4 times thinking I didn't put it in right then tried rtv seal to help. Then took apart again to inspect everything super close like I should of done the first time. The seal is seated good . When I took it out the final time I noticed the seal surface on the bearing retainer cup is gouged alittle and has a small dent. Would that cause it to leak heavy?. It's leaving a good sized puddle on the ground and a trail of spots behind it. It seams to leak mostly when I'm driving it and after it gets parked I think it's alot of runoff that leaves the puddle. It's has a new tranny with only 18k miles but it's past the warranty. Bought it off an elderly couple that had every receipt for alot of work done so I don't think they were trying to rip me off. It sat for awhile they barely drove it. It did have the Mopar seal in it when I changed it the first time. The new one I keep buying are not as beefy as the Mopar. The new one is more just a thin metal that seats vs thr Mopar was rubber that seated against the retainer. Would there be anywhere else it could like in the area around the cv axle incase I'm misdiagnosis it? Any help would be great. Bought this thinking. It'd be a good family van but I was an idiot and bought a caravan.

 

Are you hearing any bearing sound when you are driving? I'm thinking the differential bearing cups are pitted causing up and down movement on the C.V joint. And tearing the seal causing it to leak. Check the drive axle for up and down movement on both sides.

 

that's what Im kinda thinking. I dont hear or feel anything. Drives smooth. The cv axle has a tiny bit of play when I try to wiggle it with my hand. I don't how much they're supposed to move. It barely moves like an 8th or quarter inch play

 

Check the axle shaft and see if the surface is damage causing the seal to leak. In addition I would add some grease on the back side of the seal, this will help keeping the spring in place too.

 

I checked the cv axle shaft it looked good but I bought a new one and it was leaking even worse. I know you aren't supposed to but I put some rtv sealant around the cv axle seal just to see if it'd help and nope just as bad.

 

It has to be a surface problem with either the final drive or the short or long extension housings that bolts to the transaxle.

 

so I took it apart again to inspect the cone bearing and what I noticed is I can lift the whole differential up and down with my fingers. Doesn't seem normal and could be the cause of my leak. Is there a fix for that anyone knows off?

 

Yes. The differential would need to be removed and replace the bearings and bearing cups. Then should also be a shim in one of extension housings. It can be done in the vehicle, but it would be better with the transmission removed.

 

can you describe what the extension housing is please? Is that the bearing retainer? And is the bearing cup the same as the bearing race inside the retainer or is it the cup what comes with the cone bearing? Sorry im just learning all this stuff. Trying to fix it myself cuz I just spent what little money I had on this van for work. Can't afford to pay a small fortune to take it into a shop. Does anyone have a partnumber for the left bearing and race. All I can find is the right side and rears and even then I'm not sure because there's multiple size bearings and the descriptions aren't totally clear on where they go. Any advice would be so much appreciated.

 

Sure, There are two housings, One long one on the right side or passenger side drive axle. Should have 4 to 6 bolts that are 13mm or 1/2 inch. the driver side is short and has 8 to 9 bolts. Also 13mm or 1/2 inch. The differential cover has 10 to 12 bolts that 10mm. The cup and bearings may not be the same part number, meaning different sizes. And since the fluid is the same as the transmission. I would replace the filter too.