i have a leaking drivers side front axle, just kind of drips out,,leaves a little oil spot over night,, had the axle out to replace u joint,, the shop says they arent responsiple for the leak,, didnt leak when i brought it in! anyone know how big of a job it is to replace? thank you

 

Instructions-
http://dieselpowerman.tripod.com/Fro...xle%20Tech.htm

I would wait though. Most times it's just oil that has gotten past the seal when the axle was out and is in the axle tube. It can take a month to all drain out.
They will also leak if the diff has been overfilled. The correct level is 3/4'' below the bottom of the plug hole. I've seen quite a few that quit leaking when the correct level is reached, either from leaking out or from manual removal.

 

yea,, thats what they told me,, so i waited a month, still leaked,so i went back,, they himhawed around,, basically told me, probably damaged it putting axle back in, but it might just have been wore out, yea right, didnt leak when i brought it in!!! anyways they told me to put some transmission stop leak in it,, might make the seals more pliable,, seems to made it worse!

 

oh yea,, should have asked,, do i have to worry bout dust or dirt getting in there with it leaking like that,, at least till i can get it fixed? have a trip planned with a lot of dusty roads this coming weekend,, thanks!

 

I don't know if I'd worry but dust and dirt around a leaking seal tends to wear a groove the shaft. This will result in a new seal leaking unless care is taken to seat the new seal a little deeper or shallower than the old one so the seal is riding on a fresh surface.

Did you check that the level is below the hole?
Most shops fill to the bottom of the hole which isn't correct.

 

yea,, checked it,, was way below,, had to add bout a quart, but now i'm to the fill hole,, will have to let a lil out,,, thanks for the advice, will the transmission stop leak be alright in there u think?

 

I don't think it will hurt anything. I've used the thick clear syrupy stuff before but have never had any luck with it.

 

Wish I would have seen this last Friday. We just put new bearing hubs and all new ball joints on my sons 94. We didn't do the seals cause I figured I had to remove the gear set and didn't want to tackle that. I guess as long as you don't disturb the pinion setting, everything should be right back as found as far as gear lash and everything.

 

i had the same problem last month. i took my 96 in to have front axle u-joints replaced and they broke both seals. they tried to tell me that they weren't respnsible. i had to get a lawyer to threaten them to replace them both. both seals are only about $10 but it is 3-4 hours of labor. don't take it into your own hands to do it especialy if your not liable. get a lawyer and have them send a letter