Rear Axle Vent ?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 8
From: WV
Rear Axle Vent ?
Howdy folks. Starting to get a bit of a rear diff fluid pinion seal leak on my wife's 2011 Expedition. The bottom of the pumpkin isn't even wet, but I can see diff fluid on the driveshaft u-joint, and I can see where its been slinging it up on the floor boards and the little rear sway bar (I think). Not sure how long its been doing this but the layer of fluid on the floor boards is dry and crusty except for a small amount of fresh fluid. The level was barely down, but I topped it off.
Anyway, I'd like to first check the vent tube, but I can't seem to locate it. I should put the rear tires on ramps and remove the spare tire so I can get better access in there, but I felt all around the top of the pumpkin and looked all over the place and can't seem to find it.
Anybody know where exactly its at? Or, where I can find the end of the hose for it?
Thanks in advance!
Anyway, I'd like to first check the vent tube, but I can't seem to locate it. I should put the rear tires on ramps and remove the spare tire so I can get better access in there, but I felt all around the top of the pumpkin and looked all over the place and can't seem to find it.
Anybody know where exactly its at? Or, where I can find the end of the hose for it?
Thanks in advance!
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 2
From: Chico,CA.
It's the tube coming up from the left side axle, where the rear brake line tees off to either wheel. If you determine it's the seal itself (most likely) don't just pull the pinion flange off and go after it. Restoring the pinion preload is critical and has to be done just right.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 8
From: WV
Thanks! I'll take another look today (if it stops raining) and check it out.
Yeah, I've been doing quite a bit of reading on the procedure and the different ways that folks go about getting the preload right. Most popular seems to be counting the exposed threads and marking the location of the nut. I'd kinda prefer to replace that nut, but if I have a better chance at getting the preload right with the original nut I'll use it.
Thanks again!
Yeah, I've been doing quite a bit of reading on the procedure and the different ways that folks go about getting the preload right. Most popular seems to be counting the exposed threads and marking the location of the nut. I'd kinda prefer to replace that nut, but if I have a better chance at getting the preload right with the original nut I'll use it.
Thanks again!
It's the tube coming up from the left side axle, where the rear brake line tees off to either wheel. If you determine it's the seal itself (most likely) don't just pull the pinion flange off and go after it. Restoring the pinion preload is critical and has to be done just right.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 8
From: WV
Thanks for the info.
As you expected, my vent tube was fine.
So, what sense of urgency would you give this problem? Its barely leaking right now, but I have a trip coming up in a couple weeks. So, I'm torn... I don't really like the idea of going on a longish (~1500 mile) trip with a problem like this brewing. On the other hand, I don't like making a fairly major repair, and then immediately taking it on a 1500 mile trip. I like to replace the part, then drive it locally for a month or so to get some confidence that its gonna be ok.
I plan to take extra fluid and a pump to be able to top it off if need be.
As a single data point, I topped it off yesterday morning, then drove it about 250 miles and the level doesn't hardly seem to be down at all today.
As you expected, my vent tube was fine.
So, what sense of urgency would you give this problem? Its barely leaking right now, but I have a trip coming up in a couple weeks. So, I'm torn... I don't really like the idea of going on a longish (~1500 mile) trip with a problem like this brewing. On the other hand, I don't like making a fairly major repair, and then immediately taking it on a 1500 mile trip. I like to replace the part, then drive it locally for a month or so to get some confidence that its gonna be ok.
I plan to take extra fluid and a pump to be able to top it off if need be.
As a single data point, I topped it off yesterday morning, then drove it about 250 miles and the level doesn't hardly seem to be down at all today.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 8
From: WV
That's a good idea, thanks!
Yeah, its just damp for now, out at the driveshaft u-joint. I have about 400 more miles of driving to do before we leave for our trip. That will make around 700 miles since I first noticed this so I hope to have a better sense of how fast its leaking down before we leave.
Yeah, its just damp for now, out at the driveshaft u-joint. I have about 400 more miles of driving to do before we leave for our trip. That will make around 700 miles since I first noticed this so I hope to have a better sense of how fast its leaking down before we leave.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 8
From: WV
Sorry for bumping this old-ish thread, but I'm bored on a Sunday evening and thought I'd follow up on this.
We went on our trip (almost 1500 miles round trip) and I kept an eye on it the whole time with no noticeable reduction in fluid level. We've driven it quite a bit since then, and still no real drop in fluid level.
So, until this thing starts leaking more fluid than it currently is, I'm not gonna mess with it and risk screwing up the pinion preload.
I'll post back if it starts giving me more trouble, or when I do the seal replacement.
We went on our trip (almost 1500 miles round trip) and I kept an eye on it the whole time with no noticeable reduction in fluid level. We've driven it quite a bit since then, and still no real drop in fluid level.
So, until this thing starts leaking more fluid than it currently is, I'm not gonna mess with it and risk screwing up the pinion preload.
I'll post back if it starts giving me more trouble, or when I do the seal replacement.
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