Leak After CV Axle Replacement

[Chandler_Ross]

I had my CV axles replaced earlier this week (autozone reman) and I had it done by my mechanic who I've never had any issues with before. I went on a wheeling trip this weekend to prentice cooper state park. I only used 4 wheel drive a few times. So I didn't run it long in 4wd. While I was plasti dipping the bottom of the doors today, I noticed the leak. Smells more like gear oil than motor oil. But it has a thinner consistency. Is it more likely to be leaking at the front diff? Or maybe a rear main seal or something? Checked the valve covers. They look fine. What does it look like to you guys?

 

[NateMob]

Thats an axle seal leak. Easy to damage when swapping CVs out. Each side of the diff has one, the drivers side being easier to replace because it has a stop behind it to prevent it from being installed too deep. The passenger side one can be a pain if you dont get the depth just right.

And yes, thats gear oil.

 

[Chandler_Ross]

Thats an axle seal leak. Easy to damage when swapping CVs out. Each side of the diff has one, the drivers side being easier to replace because it has a stop behind it to prevent it from being installed too deep. The passenger side one can be a pain if you dont get the depth just right.

And yes, thats gear oil.

That's what I figured. But I didn't think the gear oil could be so thin. Just had my rear axle seal replaced at the same time as the CV axles. The oil leaking from the rear seal was a lot thicker. Thanks Nate!

 

[Diesel_Dog]

I replaced mine a few weeks ago. Hardest thing was tracking down a 35mm socket for the axel nut. Here is the part number: 9031147012 inner front diff axel seal.

 

[NateMob]

The passenger side is a different seal, two different part numbers. Just want to make that clear for anyone looking, the passenger side has a larger outside diameter.

 

[Chandler_Ross]

I replaced mine a few weeks ago. Hardest thing was tracking down a 35mm socket for the axel nut. Here is the part number: 9031147012 inner front diff axel seal.

Thanks for the info! I had replaced my passenger side CV axle a few months back with an autozone one (new, not reman) which broke the first time I wheeled on it. The inner boot completely separated at the clamp. It was defective and they gave me a new one and let me keep the one on my Runner already. I reclamped it and ran it like that till this past week. That was over the summer. Now that I'm back in school and working a lot more, I didn't have time to replace them myself. So I had my mechanic do both side this time around and got Remanufactured instead of new. I'll probably just take it in and let them deal with it. I mean, I'm not the one who broke it... so... :noidea: