Leaking seal

[RKrupa]

On my '96 3500 4x4 I just replaced the ball studs for the steering knuckles and now, lo and behold, I've got a leaking axle shaft seal on the left (driver) side. Drat, must have bumped it getting the axle shaft back in. Dodge wants a down payment on a new truck to put a $16 seal in. Has anyone put these front axle seals in themselves and how ugly of a job is it? My Haynes manual says it takes special tools to do it. Any help appreciated

 

[Bigramguy]

Give it a few days,it may stop leaking. There have been a few posts on here about similar problems,and the leak either stopped or it may have been leftover fluid that ran out into the axle tube during the repair (if you had the shaft out).



It is a fairly involved procedure,here is a good link showing how to do it.



Axle seal replacement

 

[illflem]

Here's excellent instructions but hold off, most axle seals leaks after front end work heal themselves. Some is oil that gets past the seal into the tube when the axle is out. 500 miles will be enough. Most dealers charge $150 for seal replacement, after reading the above instructions you may find it worth it.

 

[HomerDog]

I just replaced my upper/lower ball joints. The Driver's side axle is leaking a lot. As many of the guys here have said, the leak will most likely stop after several miles... (I'm on 400+ and I think the leak is showing stop signs)



Dave

 

[moparguy]

Briar, I've had a single instance of both sides leaking. The left at about 65k and the right at about 85k. They selfhealed.



Just keep an eye on the gear lub level and give it a few hundred miles.



Good luck, Ronnie