Fluid when removing axle shaft

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Oct 5, 2020 | 06:58 PM

Jayv10

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Fluid when removing axle shaft

So I’m doing my ball joints (the old ones move like an Atari joystick). I removed the axle shaft and I got a good flow of differential fluid. This isnt normal right?

Oct 5, 2020 | 08:38 PM

Dweber85rc

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It is from the differential. This isn't abnormal if you pulled the shafts out. If you put them back in and it still leaks then your inner seals are shot.

Oct 5, 2020 | 08:56 PM

lexustech48

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From: Arizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayv10

So I’m doing my ball joints (the old ones move like an Atari joystick). I removed the axle shaft and I got a good flow of differential fluid. This isnt normal right?

Also, if you have the front axle up on both sides, a slight lean of your work surface may cause fluid to flow out as well. As long as it wasnt alot, you should be ok. Same thing happened to me a few weekends ago.

Oct 6, 2020 | 10:10 AM

Jayv10

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It was a bit more than a little. Ugh. Guess I’m replacing that seal as well. As long as I don’t engage 4wd I should be ok to drive it down to get fluid and everything right?

Oct 6, 2020 | 11:40 AM

Dweber85rc

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Do you know when the last time the fluid was changed and if so how much was put in? If it was overfilled that would certainly cause a lot of fluid to come out and not really mean your seals are bad

Oct 6, 2020 | 01:48 PM

jasonodsky

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From: Milwaukee, WI

Don't assume the inner seals are bad. It's normal for some fluid to flow out when you pull the axle. @lexustech48 has it right, explaining the angles that can cause fluid to flow out. If you didn't have an obvious leak out the end of the axle shaft before you pulled them, then those seals may be just fine. It's possible the re-install may damage them but I've pulled axles and reinstalled and the seals were just fine.

I finally had one go bad (slow leak for the past 5+ years suddenly started leaking a lot). I used the Torque King inner axle seal installer ($180) but it was worth it. It went very easily using the install tool.

If you decide to do the inner seals, PM me and we can work out a borrow/loan plan for the install tool.

Hang in there,
Jasonodsky