front axle seal leak

[jhawkins]

I recently replaced my front driver side u-joint and now I have a constant oil leak on that side. It's been several hundred miles and it does not appear to be getting better. How hard is it to replace the seal? I read in the manual that a special spreader is needed to remove the spider gear, is it possible to do the job without the tool? I talked to the dodge dealer and they want $500 bucks to do the job I know it's a pain but that seems like alot of money for this job.

 

[Jeff Knight]

It's possible to do it without the spreader. I had to do mine after changing the ball joints. We were able to work the carrier out by prying on both sides at the same time. Just keep the shimes together. We made a special tool to put the new seal in. It took about 2 hrs. Hope this helps. Good luck. Jeff

 

[illflem]

Dodge Front Axle Tech for the best instructions I've seen. Dealer only charges $150 for the job (find another dealer). It is one of the few reasonably priced dealer repairs, depending on your mechanical expertise and how much you value your time it may be worth it. Many times the leak will stop on it's own, some is from oil in the tube that escaped while the axle was out. I'd give it a little more time to see if it stops. My replacement seal ($7 from NAPA)is still in the glovebox, the leak stopped after 500 miles about 68k ago and hasn't returned.

 

[jhawkins]

Thanks guys, I know the axle is a little overfilled but the left side does not seem to leak and it was done about 1K before drivers side. I guess I will wait a little longer just don't want to do it in the cold on the driveway.