I took the front axle shafts out a couple months back and remember NOT seeing any differential fluid in the axle shaft housing.

But then when I took the tire off tonight.. I noticed diff fluid leaking from from the axle shaft dust seal ?

1. I didn't think diff fluid flowed up near those front dust seals ?
2. Thats a brand new dust seal so I'm guessing some debri must be in the connection causing the leak ?

 

You might have damaged the seal when you put the axle shaft back in!

 

The seals install from the inside of the diff housing and
you can nick one when you replace an axle and cause it to leak.


Keep the level topped off and stay out of water. That should give
you time to plan this out.

Basically you will have to pull both axles out and then the front
cover and remove the carrier to get at the seals. There is a tool
that is needed to install the new seals. Then it all goes back together.

If you tell me the year I can post the PDFs for you.



Sean


6.0L Tech Folder

 

mine have been leaking for well over a year, i check the fluid often and its not even down a noticeable amount

 

The posted picture is of the "dust seal" - walk up to any truck of age and you'll see that the "dust seal"s are thrashed. The only way to get significant oil out of the "dust seal" is if you lean the truck over by about 30 degrees. The internal seals are probably fine, in general the internal half shafts are at rest unless one or both of the following are in play:
a) the hubs are in LOCK, engaging the half shaft to the hub resulting in the wheels spinning the internals as you drive
b) the transfer case is in 4H or 4L resulting in the motor spinning the internals