brake problems
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 71
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From: Mobile AL
brake problems
my brakes started pulsing a little a few days ago. I got under my truck this morning and i saw a little stain running down my rear driverside tire. The inside of the wheel and drum are covered in some type of fluid, its everywhere. I dont think its brake fluid though because my fluid level is pretty close to full. Could this be coming from the rearend, i think i have read about something like this somewhere before but i cant find where. any help would be great, thanks. Ohh its an 8.8 inch axle.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 71
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From: Mobile AL
well its not brake fluid smells nohting like it. But i found where i read about something like this. it was in the nuts and bolts section of petersens 4wheel and offroad. they said that the axle seal can go bad and fluid will leak past. the guy said this caused his brakes to go also. this sounds like my same kind of problem i think.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
You need to pull the wheel and drum off and see what's going on. If you have that much fluid coming out, your brakes are gone. I've never, ever seen a wheel cylinder leak that much fluid. Every time I've seen something like this happen, it's been an axle seal.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Mobile AL
yeah it might smell a little like onions, not overpowering though. Any ideas on where else this stuff could be coming from?
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Mobile AL
alright now im sure its the axle seal, my haynes manual doesnt seem to help me much. how do i go about fixing it?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Gateway to the West
Check the bearing while you have the axle out. If the seal went south, there may be more wrong on that side. It'd be a very good idea to do a "brake-otomy" (just replace everything but the wheel cylinder) on that side as well.
New User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Redmond Washington
I have a 73 Bronco with the same thing. The bearing broke on me and that ripped the seal. Of course the bearing is the onlything that holds the axle in on the 73 (not sure on yours) so I figured that out really fast.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 71
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From: Mobile AL
alright i need to make sure im understanding my manual right. to pull the axle shaft i take cover off axle remove the pinion shaft lockpin, which looks to me like its a bolt. then rotate the case and pull the pinion shaft out then pull out the c-clip. then i can pull the axle shaft right? the bearing and oil seal are on the shaft, i guess. If the bearing need to be replaced i will have to take it to a machine shop and get them to press a new one in. but it doesnt say anything about the seal, how do i replace this? and it should be pretty obvious if the bearings need to be replaced right?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
The seal will be left in the axle tube when you remove the axle shaft. Just pop it out with a screwdriver and tap the new one in. I use a little white lithium grease around the outside of the new seal. Then just put it back together. Sounds like you got a real good handle on it already.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 71
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From: Mobile AL
in my haynes manual it says i need to discard the pinion shaft lockpin when i remove it, the only problem is the autopart stores dont carry it. Do i absolutely have to replace it? lmc has them but i dont really have time to wait.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
"Recommded" and "required" are two totally different things. 
I've reused them before without ill effects. I also don't raise my vehicle on jackstands and disconnect the battery before every single repair.
I've reused them before without ill effects. I also don't raise my vehicle on jackstands and disconnect the battery before every single repair.