Ok so I just replaced all my ball joints in the front end of my 98.5 2500 and now the passenger side of the axle is leaking. Anyone have any suggestions as to why this is happening????

 

is it leaking at the axle seal?

 

It's a pretty common thing. Every one of those front axle seals I've replaced has had the lip worn right off it. They seem to just hang in there until they are disturbed by removing and installing the axle shaft, then they start leaking. Especially if there was some dirt or grit in the axle tube that got pushed into the seal when you slid the shaft back in.

There is a chance that when you pulled out the shaft, oil started running out and just pooled in the tube until you put the shaft back in, and all will be well after this residual oil has dripped out. So clean it up, cross your fingers, and monitor it for a week, but don't be surprised if you do have to replace a seal soon.

 

cool thanks for the help

 

Also if you topped off your diff fluid after your ball joint project to the bottom of the plug opening it will leak too..

 

Mine was leaking after I worked on my front brakes a while back. It leaked for a few weeks.. I just kept checking/adding fluid (where applicable) since I didn't want to ruin my front diff/axle. I was hoping the fluid would drain from the axle but the leak continued

What I did that stopped the leak until I could replace the seals is I replaces half of the diff. oil with Lucas 85W140 H/D Gear Oil and my leak stopped. My results were almost immediate (24hrs). This was approx. 3 mos. ago. No leaks and rolling strong.

I plan on changing my inner seals on my Dana 60 soon. Please note that there is a company thats listed below that another user listed here on DTR mentioned a while back:

QUAD 4 x4 Your 4x4 Experts!
23 Turner Rd., Roberts, Montana 59070
CALL 406-446-2427 • Order 24 hours a day. 7 days a week

They sell the inner seas as well as "OUTER SEALS" for my front axle. They are the only company that I know of that sells the outer seals. These outer seals keep water, dirt/mud and other debris from entering the axle.

The web link is listed below:

http://www.quad4x4.com/Dodge%20Frt%2...Axle_Seal_Kits

I purchased a set of inner and outer seals. I plan on replacing the seals on my front axle next summer.

Hope this helps!

 

i changed my ball joints too and pass. side leak, big job to change seal out, axles and ring gear come out to change.

 

149 for seals!!! what a rip off.

 

ok after talking to the guys at Napa, they said that there are two seals, inner (by the pumpkin) and outta by the hub.

if my axle is leaking oil they said that its most likely the inner seal, and to get to it i have to go through the pumpkin. is this true?

 

Yes, as the above posts say. You have to remove the axles and differential to get to the inner seals. If it were mine, I would watch it for a few weeks- your oil seeping may go away. Mine did. Either it was excess oil pooled in the axle tube, or the seal reseated itself on the shaft, but it stopped leaking.

 

when you jacked it up to change out ball joints it got out of level and some oil got past seal ..... wait it out and it will stop.... they are a pita to change (inner seal). Nate

 

thats just it, i havnt done anything to my front end. i went out on a dirt road couple weeks ago and had it in 4 wheel. this week i was changing the contact in my starter when i noticed it.

 

no need to change seal on pass side via pumpkin end, you have to remove the axel and CAD. seal is in axel tube under vacuum pot on diff,

I made up a seal installer with some threaded rod, and some washers..it was a PITA, best to get proper tool for this

 

I didn't notice the year thread was started ....my comment was made to the origional poster. In your case if you did not get front end out of level or just changed joints then you will have to change seals or put up with alittle oil leak.It will never drain itself dry. J/M/O Nate