Gear oil smell on passenger side rear

[MikeinNH67]

I did a quick search and didn't see much. I'm assuming my axle seal must be shot but is there anything else I should check? Replacing that seal doesn't look like fun. I'm thinking something like if a clogged breather line could attribute to this. I have yet to crawl under it because we still have winter grime going on. It's only parked in flat areas so that shouldn't be a contributor. Thanks.

 

[importman]

I would agree on the axle seal. You probably didn't see much since it's likely just accumulating in the parking brake drum. You just reminded me of my own concern. When I did my rear brakes a few months ago I found a little gear oil in the LR drum. I wasn't sure if it was current or had been repaired by the previous owner and was just a little left over residue. I think checking the breather might be a good idea for both of us. I had forgotten mine since there's nothing showing and no smell.

 

[MikeinNH67]

I looked at the breather and it looks pretty crusty. The OEM parts are under $25 shipped to my house for front and back so I'm going to replace them both. I'll update this thread on the old ones once they are removed.

 

[gaber6]

I did a quick search and didn't see much. I'm assuming my axle seal must be shot but is there anything else I should check? Replacing that seal doesn't look like fun. I'm thinking something like if a clogged breather line could attribute to this. I have yet to crawl under it because we still have winter grime going on. It's only parked in flat areas so that shouldn't be a contributor. Thanks.

Peek under there.
My pinion seal went out as well. It can be replaced, but you should replace the yoke with it if that is shot. It likely has a groove, as the wheel seal seats are probably also slightly grooved. Don't overtorque the pinion putting it back on. I did. It's already torqued.

The seal is easy enough, it's the Ebrake hardware that's a pain to get back in place.. If where the seal rides has a groove, it might seal for a few months again before you have to press on new parts.. I did it the cheap way first then ended up having to do it all again.

 

[MikeinNH67]

I got gear oil on a pair of gloves and the smell just won't go away! I've washed them by hand and in the machine a bunch of times. Any tricks? I'd rather not throw them away since they're still usable, but I will do it, I hate that smell.

I hate the smell too. You could try soaking them in Dawn dish soap. I've also heard vegetable oil can remove some smells. If all else fails leave them in the sun, that should pull the smell out.

Back to the original topic, I pulled the 2 breathers and they were both pretty crusty. Front one is easy as it is in the engine bay and just pushes into a hose. Back one came off easily with the spare tire out of the way, I thought it would be welded in place. Front one pretty well clogged and rear only letting air out a rust hole so not a one way valve like they are supposed to be. I then sprayed down the oily brake with brake cleaner. We'll see how it goes but this seems like a maintenance item. Pics below.