2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Water in Rear Axle

[Shelby Griggs]

I have 80K on my 2001. 5 2500. I changed the rear axle lube yesterday for the 3rd time. There was way too much water in there. I noticed some water at last change about 30K ago too. Don't know if there was water at the 1st change around 20K or not. The reason it was obvious at the 50K and 80K changes is that I have been running Amsoil 75-90 since the 20K change and both drains came out ugly, no blue color left at all.



There are no obvious seal leaks, or at least no oil is escaping, so I am thinking water has to be entering by the vent tube. Not sure how the OEM vent hose is positioned from the factory, or if mine was still in that location. I had a flatbed installed when the truck was new (500 miles) and it is possible they rerouted the hose. I repositioned my hose yesterday, but until proven otherwise, I am not going to say that was the water entry point.



I have not been in any deep water, so I am sure the water entry is not due to a submersion incident.



Any other thoughts?



BTW, when and why did Amsoil change from a blue to green color?



Shelby

 

[CyberRanger]

I'd say its a combination of the hose bein' repositioned, the flatbed allowing water to be sprayed toward the hose & the high humidity there. As a four wheeler one of the first things I do on my 4x4 is to reroute & extend the breather hoses on all the gear boxes to the top of the firewall & then terminate them all into a small K&N filter mounted there. The heat from the engine will tend to keep the filter dry & will place the ends of all the hoses out of "waters way. "

 

[y-knot]

The vent line is on the top of the axel, driver side. Look for the brake line t-connector. Comming out of the top is a rubber line, that goes up to the frame. This is the vent line. Good luck.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Thanks guys. I think the problem may be that the exit for the vent was horizontal on top of the frame rail (is that normal?). This would expose the vent hose to wheel spray from the LR tire, however the white cap is still on the hose, so not quite sure how the water would have got in there. I re-positioned the tube to inside the frame rail (more protection), and have the last couple of inches pointed down now. Hopefully this was the problem and next fluid change will look better. Hopefully I haven't done too much damage to the bearings and so on.



Edit: Just measured the water, looks to be about 400 ml or . 4 quarts. Ouch.



Shelby