Front Diff leak after alignment?

[jreask]

Today I returned to my local shop to have the front end alignment re done
after a week the truck was pulling to the right side. I also had the new tires Road Force balanced. The truck steers well now. The problem I now have is that the right side CV axle is leaking where it meets the Diff. It never leaked until today. The CV appears to have about a 1/16" gap between it and the diff. Is it at all possible that the shop did something to pull the axle out away from the seal? Is it OK to drive the truck in 2WD? I have about an inch circle in the garage under the truck after two hours.

This is on my 97 4Runner SR5 manual tranny 3.4L

Thanks for your help.

 

[PNWRunner]

Sounds to me like the retainin ring has come undone? I'm not sure why that would have happened with an alignment but it needs to be fixed. I would give the shop a call. I would say just try and pound it back in, but im guessing the retaining ring is either broke or missing, and if its intact it has almost certainly shifted positions thus making it harder to hit back in.

 

[jreask]

Sounds to me like the retainin ring has come undone? I'm not sure why that would have happened with an alignment but it needs to be fixed. I would give the shop a call. I would say just try and pound it back in, but im guessing the retaining ring is either broke or missing, and if its intact it has almost certainly shifted positions thus making it harder to hit back in.

Are you talking about the snap ring on the end of the CV axle? Sorry to ask but I am no mechanic.

Thanks
Joe

 

[PNWRunner]

Yeah thats the one

 

[jreask]

Yeah thats the one

What do you think the chances of loosening the axle nut and then trying to push it back in with a small sledge and a pry bar on the lip? Or do I have to remove the axle and start over?

Thanks to all
Joe