Driver side front axle seal is starting to leak. I'm gettin ready. I read that letter from dieselpowerman. I'm not familiar with the differential, everthing else to do I know. Is it that easy to drop the gears, whats the secret to a fun job, no offense to diesel powerman. We are now up to 284,000 miles, last week 18 mpg. Seals replaced once by dealer, OUCH! Steve

 

First of all make sure the seal is really leaking.
Overfull differential is the main cause, factory recommended level is 3/4" below the bottom of the fill hole. I've had several stop leaking just by lowering the level.
If the four bolts that hold the unit bearing to the back of the calipers have been removed recently the axle hanging out of place can let oil past the seal.
Both leak causes may take several hundred miles to clear up as the leaked oil is trapped in the axle tube on what's supposed to be the dry side of the seal. Takes a tilt to get it to drain.