I have what smells like gear lube leaking on my rear driver's side axle. The fluid runs down the shock and across the axle almost to the gear case. Not sure but I think it's coming from the mount wear all the brake lines distribute on the axle. My master cylinder is not low on brake fluid. Is this mount also the axle vent? Any ideas on what the problem is?

 

Yes. There is a hollow bolt for the vent that goes thru the Tee for the brake lines. Check to see if the fitting on the end of the hose at the frame is restricted. There may be a crack in the hose just above the Tee that could allow oil to blow out there.

 

Oh, I have no hose. Must have rotted or broke off. Does the hose/bolt combination just screw into that block? Thank you for the help.

 

Yes. It threads into the axle tube to hold the block in place. You can remove the hollow bolt, clean it, and replace the hose. There should have been a clip holding the hose to the frame. It may have gotten lost with the hose. The also is supposed to be a V shaped plastic fitting in the end of the hose to help keep out dirt and water.

 

Thank you for the help, on my way to the dealership for new parts.

 

Just a side note to this V shaped plastic fitting in the end of the hose....
Not the reason for this hose missing problem but, if your rear end is leaking fluid at all, you should check to make sure this plastic V fitting is not clogged.. My rear end was leaking at the pinion seal and I found this fitting was completely plugged with a insect nest ! I cleaned it out and my rear end hasn't leak a drop since.. (could cause the axles seals to leak too, i would guess)

 

I will second Clint's advice.

A clogged vent, for any reason, will cause primarily a pinion-seal leak. That seems to "give" at the lowest pressure, first.

Axle seals must be just a bit "tighter", and won't usually be the first to leak.

I disconnected the hose at the "bolt", blew it out with compressed air, (DON'T blow into the differential housing), and re-connected it using a tie-wrap.

My pinion seal hasn't dripped a drop since, and that was over thirty thousand miles ago. Checking the fluid level confirms it's remained completely full.

Pop

 

Thanks guys, went to NAPA and got a FREE piece of hose. It was long enough to do both axles. No clog in the V piece of plastic on the rear, front is missing the plastic piece. My rear hose simply dry rotted and broke loose from the vent fitting.

 

Free works!
Front vent hose does not usually have the V shaped fitting. The end is just tucked into the frame.