I had local brake shop install new front rotors and pads. Yesterday I had my tires rotated and the front passenger wheel had a stripped lug nut. So I went back to the brake shop and they fixed the stripped wheel stud. Today I noticed a leak that seems to be coming from front passenger bearing on the inside of the wheel. When the brake tech intalled the new stud I thought I noticed him using a air chissle to push the stud in a little from the back instead of using the lug nut to pull the stud tight. Could the air chissle have caused any damage to a seal in that area??? I have not done any type of work on the front end of my Dodge so I am unfamiliar with what is near the hub.

Thanks.....

Dave

 

Air chisel should not have caused the leak. Probably a bad axle seal near the CAD housing. If you keep the differential oil level about 1/2 inch below the plug it may not leak. Here's how to replace both seals: http://dieselpowerman.tripod.com/Fro...xle%20Tech.htm Passenger seal is much easier than drivers side. Oh yeah, i left the axle nut on with rotor and bearings and pulled the whole assembly out when i did mine... it's heavy, but easier.

 

There is a chance the axle seal was torn when the hub was removed to replace the rotors...or when they fixed the stud issue, if they let the axle shaft come out as they pulled the hub assy;

The studs need to be pounded back thru the hub assy / rotor, they can't be pulled thru with the nut (I replaced my bearing assy a few weeks ago, even BEATING them back in was a PITA)

Assuming no permanent damage, the front seal may leak a little fluid after the rotor replacement, and should dry up in a few days (don't forget to check the fluid level afterwards).

Rauschbo

 

Thanks for the reply guys..... The leak does seem to have stopped. But why would it leak for just a day after the rotor install then stop??

Dave

 

It's because fluid gets past the seal while the work is being done and is trapped in the axle tube. The seal isn't really still leaking, it's more that it leaked but is taking a long time to drain out.

 

Thanks Infidel. Trapped oil does seem to be the issue. I back my truck into the driveway. It is a slight up hill and slanted towards the passenger side. That explains the puddle of oil I noticed the day after the brake job. I just looked at the wheel/hub a few minutes ago and it does not seem to be leaking now. Just wet.....

So when the rotors are replaced the hub comes off?? I feel like a for not doing the work my self and learning. But I was in a cruch situation and needed to get my brakes done quickly. And, I did not feel like working in the snow....

Thanks for the help guys..


Dave

 

some times those seals can get somthing jammed up there, and force a leak.
if the seal wasnt damaged ( bent, tweaked ) when the did the work it should still be good. its probablly seated back up and thats why the leak stopped. just keep an eye on it.

bob.

 

I power washed the underside of my truck early today. 4 hours later, no leak...!!!

Thanks guys for the info.....

Dave

 

Yep, the entire hub assy comes off for the rotor swap; I didn't do mine in the snow, but....it was 17 deg. F when I started, and had risen to a balmy 21 deg. F by the time I had finished. Cold metal, cold fingers, cold knuckles....I'm still washing blue streaks off of the driveway!