2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front Axle Seal Leaking

[BigMike]

Noticed a pool of oil under my truck near the front drivers side tire today. Ran it down to my local mechanic and he said (and I believe him) that my axle seal is leaking. He told me there is an easy side to fix and a difficult side. My leak apparently is on the difficult side. Not sure what the difference is. Said it will take about 5 hours to fix and suggested I go ahead and do both sides. What do you think??

 

[SMorneau]

Easy side is the passenger side because you have access thru the CAD. Drivers side means he has to spread the case and pull the diff. Also Check: axle u-joints, ball joints, and wheel bearings.

 

[JGK]

BigMike,



Try this link. Read it and then decide how you want to approach it. Not sure if your '99 is different enough to be a concern, but it should give you an idea of what's involved.



-Jay

 

[BigMike]

Excellent article Jay. I know this is a job way out of my league. I'm taking it to a mechanic. It's gonna hurt the ole pocket book!! Should I have both seals replaced while they are at it??

 

[JGK]

Replace both? Hmmm. That's pretty much a judgement call. Some would say certainly. They don't last forever so as long as you're in there, do 'em both and keep them matched.



On the otherhand, if it ain't broke... And if you do just one, it will cost less. May have to do the other later, but at least is spreads the cost out.



-Jay

 

[Lordsman]

One side done vs. both

Mine started leaking after I changed out factory gear oil to Royal Purple (pass. side/38k miles). Dealer said the new synthetic fluid is thinner than stock fluid and the little leak I had but never noticed was now more noticable, if that makes any sense. They fixed the one side for $335. 00, I'm up to 70k now, no leaking from either the original(driver side) or replaced side. I may stick with factory fluid(BG), as I'm due for fluid change here soon. My . 02

 

[theferalkid]

front axle seal replace?

in the process of pulling my front hub (96' 3500 4X4), passenger side, i pulled the axle shaft out about 8 inches or so and when i put it back in, carefully, perhaps not carefully enough, i noticed oil leaking. Is it possible that i didn't damage the seal and the oil leaked out as a result of pulling the axle shaft out that far? I have the whole hub assembly off and wonder if i should just be safer than sorry and do all the axle seals. I don't necessarily mind the expense, but the labor seems daunting. Also, i got the driver side axle shaft all the way out, how do i install it while supporting it so i don't damage the seal? (a real long and narrow shim perhaps?, how thin?) Any help would be appreciated...

feral

 

[JGK]

It has been said by numerous people here that as long as you don't nick the seal when putting the shaft back in, you should be alright. And yes, they will leak a little, sometimes even the new ones, but they will self-heal after a few hundred miles.



As to how to support the shaft when re-installing, I can't help. Haven't done it myself (yet).



-Jay

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Mine started leaking on the passenger side a year ago, at about 31K miles or so. It wasn't a bad leak. Only a drip or two on the driveway after it sat overnight, and some dampness around the axle tube. I kept driving it waiting for it to get worse before I did anything, and now with 65K miles, there is no leak. It fixed itself! I changed the front diff cover to the new Mag Hytec and changed the lube, using regular dino-lube (WalMart "SuperTech" 80W90 GL5) at about 50K miles. Running with Amsoil Series 2000 75W90 in the rear axle.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

My drivers side front seal started leaking at 97k while on a trip. I saw oil spots on the door and rear fender. Had both sides replaced at the DC dealer in Bullhead City, Az. $620 plus they washed my truck. What a deal. . !!

At 146k the seals are still tight.

 

[Black-Smoker]

If your going to do it do it right and replace both seas. They are both the same age and chances are the other one will be leaking soon. Mabye he will give you a better deal if you do both at the same time.

 

[CumminsAholic]

It's not that hard.

I did mine myself. (drivers side) Not too hard really. The hardest part was getting the hub off. As for putting the shaft back in, I just held it as straight as I could, I agree that as long as you don't nick the seal, rubbing it a bit won't hurt it, it'll go back to it's normal shape. Sand in the axle tubes is one of the big culprits, make sure the mechanic cleans out the tubes really well. I'm not too sure why mine went... the tubes weren't too dirty and it only had 47k, 55k now and no leak yet. Also... over $600 ... . I didn't know I saved that much $$ doing it myself..... that's a MAD ecm and then some.

Corey