Leaking front diff?

[amt006]

So I was changing all my Diff oils and when I got to the front of I noticed that I had diff oil all over the driver side of my front diff. It looks like its leaking from the differential side gear shaft oil seal. I also noticed that the driver side front axle seemed to have more play in and out than the passenger side. Im thinking this isn't good.. I just started hearing a clunk when making tight turns like u-turns. So I am thinking this isn't good. Should I worry about it or just keep and eye on it? In the pictures of the front diff are from the driver side bottom of picture is the front of truck and all the oil you see is what I found when I removed the skid plates.

Here are two pictures of the front diff with the axle pushed in and pulled out. Also please note the drain and filler plugs are removed in these pictures since I was still draining the diff oils at the time of the pictures.

Aaron

 

[eskimochaos]

That open threaded hole there does not look good at all. IDK what its supposed to look like but I assume there should be a bolt that goes there to seal it.

 

[amt006]

Well that's where the drain plug goes. I was still draining the front diff when I took the picture. Rest assured there is a drain plug installed and if you look also the filler plug was removed and has been replaced. I guess I should have stated that I know the drain and filler plugs are removed.

Aaron

 

[NCSCOTT]

Did you happen to check the oil level before you started draining it??? It just looks like it is seeping a small amount. If it was a significant leak the whole area would be much wetter.

As far as the clunk at full turn goes. Check out this thread it may be the source of the noise. Just a little grease on the steering stops at each oil change may solve that problem.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=19408

 

[amt006]

My bad I didn't check the oil level before drainning. Also it's not the turn stop. I have that taken all care of all greased up. I have notice since the diff change the clunk I would get when backing up might gone will have to see.

Aaron