Front Axle Seal Replacement (and CV) Difficulty?

[unrealii]

Might have been a blessing in disguise, but my car battery died (it was due) when I let it sit for 5 days. While replacing the battery, I discovered I have a huge leak from the front end of the car. Looks to be coming from the passenger side axle seal. The car is garaged for now as I do not want to dive with an empty diff.

On a scale of 1-10, how difficult are they to replace? I have DIY for LBJ and TBU, so I know how to get in there. I am thinking of tackling it over thanksgiving.

Thinking of replacing the CVs while I am in there. The truck has 250K+ miles, probably due.

Looking at these videos doesn't seem to be too difficult:
Axle seal replacement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh1BK5--KrU

Replacing CVs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utkOmzR07O4


Below is a pic of the leak. After watching this reboot video, I think my CV is bad and not the axle seal as the color of the grease is matching the toyota grease in the inner boot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcCT4UgFUTw

Thoughts?

Car is lifted 2" with the bilstein 5160 kit.

 

[TheDurk]

Definitely looks like CV grease and not gear oil. Did you check the gear oil level in the diff? I suspect it is fine.

 

[alumarine]

I agree with the Durk.
Smell it. Gear oil has a distinct smell.

 

[Angrywelder]

You can never mistake the smell of gear oil, nothing stinks like that stuff.

 

[Angrywelder]

To be honest, changing both is pretty easy if you have the right tools. Some times you can slide hammer the CV shaft out of the housing but its easier to use a brass punch and 2lb hammer to tap it out, notice I said tap not sledge hammer it out. You will need some kind of slide hammer to get the outer seal out and make sure you get some measurements on setting depth as there isn't a lip to seat to. Also, when installing the new CV shaft make sure the gap in the C-clip is facing down. I don't know why but it seems to go in a lot easier in that position. I use a long pry-bar to tap the shaft into the housing by reaching in from the outside of the control arms and catching the lip on the CV shaft. Another helpful hit is to very lightly grease the input shaft on the CV before installing it into the housing making sure to coat the area where the new seal will ride. Keep in mind, lightly means a very thin skim coat, just enough to keep raw materials from rubbing together.

 

[unrealii]

Update: So its definitely the CV boot. I have no idea on the history of the car, so I plan to replace the CVs. What is the red fluid at the tip of the grease? Does the grease separate like that? Car has been parked for a week.
O'reilly's rents a slide hammer which looks like it can yank the seal out.
Looking at the driver's side CV, the boot is bent awkwardly as it is compensating for the angle. I do see this as a potential failure point in the future. I really do not care for the 2" lift, but I could not find a good set of rear springs, so I was sort of backed into a corner with OME 2906 springs when refreshing my suspension.

Since my front diff is not dry, what is the urgency to fixing it? My commute is super short and I only engage awd (4wd hi, w/center unlocked) when raining or snow. I do have some plans to drive in the mountains for some winter sports.

Actions:
A) Leave it as is until it really becomes a problem
B) Replace passenger side CV
C) Replace passenger side axle seal
D) Replace driver's side CV
E) Replace driver's side axle seal
F) Buy parts to do CV stretch mod, acquire CVs, do the boot mod, then put them in when due (I an concerned that I may not have enough time to do the modifications, and swap the CVs to get my core charge back)

Options:
1) Not in a hurry and cheap: A B
2) Not in a hurry and do it right: A B C
3) Not in a hurry and do it right & preventative: A B C D E
4) Urgent, fix the car then deal with problems later: B
5) Urgent, fix just the problem and do it right B C
5) Urgent, fix the car right: B C D E
6) Not urgent, but probably the best option: F A B C D E

Does anyone sell OEM CVs with the boot stretch mod? Are there any aftermarket alternatives which are good? I dont plan to spend $500 per CV (aka Lotus)

 

[thezentree]

That red fluid is probably coolant. There are a bunch of hoses and plastic fittings at the back of the engine that apparently can crack and leak. Mine leaks a little from there as well, just haven't gotten around to fixing it yet.