Rear Differential Leak?
 

I was noticing as I pulled into my garage the other night when my car's headlights shined on my truck that there seems to be a wet area on the rear diff kinda where the pumpkin meets the left axle housing towards the top , perhaps from a vent? Also I had the truck serviced at the Ford Quicklane the other day and maybe they topped it off and spilled some oil. Any other similar experiences? I've been using it to tow a camper, I hope there's not an issue with the rear end. Thanks

There is an ABS vent hose on the top side as you've described. They could have topped it off as speculated. I'd make sure they put it back on correctly.

Don

I'll check it out. I didn't seem to see the vent hose connected. That is probably the issue. Hopefully it didn't get lost. If I remember correctly those hoses are usually connected to the frame somehow to keep them upright to keep water out, so with any luck the hose is still in place. Thanks.

Uh Oh!
 

I got underneath and checked it out and the vent tube is to the left several inches. This wet oil stain is right where the pumpkin and the axle housing(I think that's what it's called) meet. The vent tube is completely intact and clean of any oil. I went ahead and opened the plug to check the level and it's a tad bit low, I had to hunt down a little with my finger but did find the oil. The oil is clean and seems thin, but the plug had some black crud on it along with a small amount of shavings. I hope it's not a hairline crack on the housing somewhere. Could I have cracked it towing my new camper which weighs about 7500lbs-8000lbs loaded? This oil stain wasn't there before.

I also tow a camper around that weight with my '05. Towing shouldn't cause a crack in the axle or housing. I changed my fluid once and also found a few shavings on the plug and thin film of black gunk on the inside of the housing.

Can you spray brake cleaner or something on the axle to clean it off and determine the exact location?

Don