front axle leak

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May 31, 2010 | 07:42 PM

powerstroker11

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front axle leak

ok, the truck is a 2003 f350 dually with a 6.0L. i noticed recently that i have oil coming out of the d/s front axle where the axle shaft comes out of the axle housing. i know the seal that sits in the axle housing near the yoke of the drive shaft is a dust seal and there isnt supposed to be oil in the tube. From looking on this website i found info on it being the Inner Axle Shaft Oil Seal however i also found that the cause could be a clogged axle vacuum hose. My question is if it is plugged would just 1 side leak or both and if it isnt the vacuum hose being plugged, how hard is it to change the Inner Axle Shaft Oil Seal? i assume you would have to go through the differential to get to it. I am a mechanic for heavy trucks but i have never dabbled with differentials so if i need to pull the gears, im gonna have to take it to the dealer which means.....$$$$
any help be greatly appreciated

May 31, 2010 | 08:57 PM

powerstroker11

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any guidance be helpful

May 31, 2010 | 10:39 PM

FireMe

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From: Northfield, MI

If the vent was plugged, it would leak through the path of least resistance, which could be any of the seals.

To repair this, you will need to remove the front wheel hub/bearing units, axle shafts, then pull the differential. The seals are pressed in from the inside of the housing. There is a special tool to do this, but many people just improvise.

Don't be surprised that the reason the seal is leaking is because of a rusted axle shaft.

Jay

Jun 7, 2010 | 07:23 PM

powerstroker11

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vent is clear, i already checked that and i do know the axle is rusted so that probably be the cause. what kind of special tool is this? a seal driver?

Jun 7, 2010 | 10:02 PM

FireMe

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From: Northfield, MI

It is more like a screw press. You can't use a regular seal driver because there is no room to swing a hammer.

If you want to use the Ford/OTC tools, you will need tool number 205-428, 205-427, and 205-426 for a Dana 60 axle.

If you are mechanically inclined, you should be able to fab something up that will work.

Jun 8, 2010 | 12:21 AM

SMok

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You can use some long extensions and a socket that fits the seal just right. Like it was mentioned, you install them form the inside, so when you are putting the left side seal in, you would be driving through the right side housing and vice versa.