Need advice please - front diff leak
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 383
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Need advice please - front diff leak
Hey guys so my 7.3 has a leak on the front diff passenger side. It went into a shop for repair and they did both seal but the passenger side came out with a worse leak than it went in with. So just looked this morning and small pool of oil under the ujoint area on the concrete. Its booked in again to be fixed under warranty repair (place that fixed it, repair came with 2yr warranty) on wednesday next week - was the earliest I could get.
Question - can i keep driving the truck? I'm making a wild *** assumption that I can unless I use 4 wheel drive. My intention was to just keep topping up the diff to ensure there is fluid in it.
Thanks heaps - it's the work truck so wouldn't be good to be without
Question - can i keep driving the truck? I'm making a wild *** assumption that I can unless I use 4 wheel drive. My intention was to just keep topping up the diff to ensure there is fluid in it.
Thanks heaps - it's the work truck so wouldn't be good to be without
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2015
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That's good to know. Every time I stop now it leaves a little puddle of oil. So it's definitely getting worse. Yep it was the inner seal they replaced. Not sure what they've done, I guess we'll find out!
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 584
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Check the level in the diff. Do it in such a way that you can re-check it. This means that all checks should be done parked in the same place.
Make sure the level in the diff is actually going down.
You may find that they just made a mess inside the tube and that is what's leaking out.
If your hubs are unlocked and the transfer case is not in 4wd then you should be ok if it is leaking and getting low.
Make sure the level in the diff is actually going down.
You may find that they just made a mess inside the tube and that is what's leaking out.
If your hubs are unlocked and the transfer case is not in 4wd then you should be ok if it is leaking and getting low.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Check the level in the diff. Do it in such a way that you can re-check it. This means that all checks should be done parked in the same place.
Make sure the level in the diff is actually going down.
You may find that they just made a mess inside the tube and that is what's leaking out.
If your hubs are unlocked and the transfer case is not in 4wd then you should be ok if it is leaking and getting low.
Make sure the level in the diff is actually going down.
You may find that they just made a mess inside the tube and that is what's leaking out.
If your hubs are unlocked and the transfer case is not in 4wd then you should be ok if it is leaking and getting low.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Not sure what they put in, its yellow. But been topping off with royal purple 75w 140 I think it was.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,800
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From: Southern Colorado
Make sure any diff vents are clear and working. You can remove any factory 'valve', and/or install a longer vent hose. This will remove pressure as a cause for the leak.
But, if your axle is leaking with the hubs unlocked and in 2WD, you appear to have another issue.
But, if your axle is leaking with the hubs unlocked and in 2WD, you appear to have another issue.
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The inner oil seal is a PITA to replace. You have to open the case and remove the carrier. If you don't use the proper tool to install the seals it is easy to mess it up. I tried to outsmart the process and make my own tool. Bad idea. Not a mistake I will make again. So far they are holding and nothing is leaking but it was not a pretty install. Next time I have to do it I'll drop the $300 or so for the tool.
The outer "seal" at the axle yoke is just a dust boot/seal to keep junk out of the axle tube. If you are leaking oil out of the axle tube then it is the inner oil seal for the D60. If you aren't careful when you re-install the axle you can also damage the oil seal, especially if the beveled plastic/Teflon ring is damaged/missing on the inner part of the axle tube that the helps guide the axle into the case.
The outer "seal" at the axle yoke is just a dust boot/seal to keep junk out of the axle tube. If you are leaking oil out of the axle tube then it is the inner oil seal for the D60. If you aren't careful when you re-install the axle you can also damage the oil seal, especially if the beveled plastic/Teflon ring is damaged/missing on the inner part of the axle tube that the helps guide the axle into the case.
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