Leak

[Turbo Thom]

I have a problem with a leak from the front axle. I had the front brakes done sat. and yesterday I noticed a leak from the left front seal. 4X4. I called Dodge today and was told it was a major, major job. 6. 2 hours @ $78 per hour. Come on. It's got to be cheaper. Anybody ever fix one? Is it that bad? There is supposed to be a special tool for removing installing the seal.



Can anybody help?



. . Preston. .

 

[Bigramguy]

It is a big job as the front diff has to come apart. Good time to check front axle u-joints,and the rest of the front end. Alot cheaper to do it all now than have to take it apart again.



Here is a good link as to what it takes,and how it is all done.



http://dieselpowerman.tripod.com/Front Axle Tech/Front Axle Tech.htm

 

[RedRamer]

You might want to check out the TSB on this, to make sure that's not what you got.

 

[Turbo Thom]

What TSB Goober? Got a number?



. . Preston. .

 

[illflem]

Don't worry about the leak quite yet, 99% of the time it will stop on it's own, give it 500 miles. It is quite common for a leak after brake work if the axle shaft is pulled out, the shaft most often is pulled out accidentally. Some of the leakage is from oil that passed by the seal while the axle was out and is sitting in the housing draining slowly. Mine leaked and I was prepared to replace the seal, the new seal is still in my glove box 100k later with no leaks. Many others here have experienced the same thing. If the leak doesn't disappear take it to a different dealer, the flat rate for seal replacement is around $150 at most dealers, one of the few repairs that the dealer price is reasonable for the amount of work involved.

 

[RedRamer]

Turbo Thom

Click above on Technical Service Bulletins

Click on any year, 1996-97-98 and they all show the same thing.

The front axle leak is a designed thing.

It's a way to let out too much grease and it plugs the seal's leak point and should not be cleaned out.

If that's the type of leak you're talking about.

goober