Rear Axle Problem
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Greenwald, MN
Rear Axle Problem
Has anyone else had issues with their rear axle?
I have 2004 FX4 and it is going back to the shop again for another seal issue. The first time both axle seals on the ends went bad and fluid was leaking out both sides. Now today i smell the familiar smell of gear lube and under further inspection see it dripping from where the drive shaft enters the rear differential! Thank god I took out an extended warranty! The truck only has 42,000 miles on it! Is this a know problem or do I just have a lemon?
I have 2004 FX4 and it is going back to the shop again for another seal issue. The first time both axle seals on the ends went bad and fluid was leaking out both sides. Now today i smell the familiar smell of gear lube and under further inspection see it dripping from where the drive shaft enters the rear differential! Thank god I took out an extended warranty! The truck only has 42,000 miles on it! Is this a know problem or do I just have a lemon?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Southern USA
my rear outer seal on drivers side went out at 14-15k miles! I check under there on both sides and front of diff also, occasionally, as i would suspect its some cheap o China made part, and another one might start leaking any time. But mine wasnt dripping, but if it wasnt replaced soon i'm sure it would be. '05 scab XLT, 4 x 2. paul
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Greenwald, MN
Well got the news for the shop today. It was the pinion seal leaking no big deal but, it was caused by the U-Joint rusting solid and wrecking the seal. Under my extened warranty they won't cover U-joints and since that is what cause the seal to go out I am SOL! 
Looking at another $300 repair bill!
Looking at another $300 repair bill!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Southern USA
sounds like a bunch of bull. I'd try another stealership. If the pinion nut was not torqued down correctly, i'd understand the vibrations from the bad u joint causing the pinion shaft to move around and wear out the seal. But then you'd have more serious problems. You would be suprised at how different stealerships handle these kind of issues. Sometimes diff. in night and day. BTW,,,,there are service kits as i understand, to replace those factory staked in u joints, another smart Ford idea. paul 05 XLT scab
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Paul812 is right on the money. It is highly unlikley that a siezed U-joint will make a pinion seal leak. Normally, that eats the U-joint and then it fails and you have clunking going on out back and if you don't catch it, the drive shaft drops out. But the pinion seal stays the same.
There are two things that normally cause a pinion seal to leak. One is something getting in between the seal and the pinion and the seal gets torn. The second is that the pinion bearings do not have enough pre load and the pinion wobbles a bit. The first isn't usually warranty, but the second cause certainly should be.
There is a third thing, and that's if the pinoin seal is leaking between the seal and the diff housing. Sometimes they get a little out of round during install. It's a good idea to put some permatex around the outside of the seal when you install them to help gaurd against that.
There are two things that normally cause a pinion seal to leak. One is something getting in between the seal and the pinion and the seal gets torn. The second is that the pinion bearings do not have enough pre load and the pinion wobbles a bit. The first isn't usually warranty, but the second cause certainly should be.
There is a third thing, and that's if the pinoin seal is leaking between the seal and the diff housing. Sometimes they get a little out of round during install. It's a good idea to put some permatex around the outside of the seal when you install them to help gaurd against that.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Greenwald, MN
Paul,
I also thought there should be a replacement kit for the U-joint but the mechanic said that he could only get the part through Ford and it isn't cheap because like you said it doesn't come apart, it all comes as one unit.
As far as the pinion seal going out I think you guys might be on to something that the U-joint wouldn't have caused it. I do alot of hunting and something could have possibly got stuck in there and wore it out. All I know is that the other day gear lube was dripping from the U-joint so that is why I brought it in. I would bring it somewhere else for a second opinion but, it is already apart and waiting for the new parts!
I also thought there should be a replacement kit for the U-joint but the mechanic said that he could only get the part through Ford and it isn't cheap because like you said it doesn't come apart, it all comes as one unit.
As far as the pinion seal going out I think you guys might be on to something that the U-joint wouldn't have caused it. I do alot of hunting and something could have possibly got stuck in there and wore it out. All I know is that the other day gear lube was dripping from the U-joint so that is why I brought it in. I would bring it somewhere else for a second opinion but, it is already apart and waiting for the new parts!
Trending Topics
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
NAPAONLINE®
Napa on line. $14.27.
Ok that's weird, I click on rear drive shaft at axle, and the linke comes up front drive shaft. Oh well, either way, call Napa.
If only takes some tall grass getting stuck in there to cause issues with the seal. On the other hand, I do some extreme rock crawiling with my jeep and bang the pinion on granion while it's spinning, sometimes hard enough to support the weight of the Jeep. for some reason I have to rereseal myu pinion every 10K miles or so on that. Go figure..
Napa on line. $14.27.
Ok that's weird, I click on rear drive shaft at axle, and the linke comes up front drive shaft. Oh well, either way, call Napa.
If only takes some tall grass getting stuck in there to cause issues with the seal. On the other hand, I do some extreme rock crawiling with my jeep and bang the pinion on granion while it's spinning, sometimes hard enough to support the weight of the Jeep. for some reason I have to rereseal myu pinion every 10K miles or so on that. Go figure..
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
