rear axle leak...


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I know there are some good techs out there and from what i have seen Shaun is right on the money with all the problems and solutions i have seen... so shaun see if you can help me with this ( haven't done this job in close to 3 years).

2005 dodge ram 1500. rear axle seal leak. If i remember correctly pop the cover off the housing remove the clip holding the axle in place, slide the axle out and the seal should be seated in the shaft housing. replace seal put axle and clip back in, put cover back on, service to 5/8 of an inch below fill port then add the friction modifier.

am i right or am i forgetting something in that job?

i can only hope that the bearing is still in good shape i don't want to fight the pressed on bearing.

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Sounds like you have the right idea! :D Not 100% on the fluid, check your manual or ask the dealer what diff fluid to use and whether or not you have to add an additive. I know all our (GM) newer ones just run the synthetic axle fluid. Definitely double check that one. As for the bearing, I can't see it being bad. Seal is straight forward.

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well, got the seal in, i dont know what the deal was. it didn't look bad when i took it out last night but i guess something was wrong it was leaking lol. everything from the back of the rotor, back pad and e-brake shoes were soaked so got all the stuff to replace them today.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Glad to hear you got the seal in ok. A careful check of the axle itself could answer a question of why the seal failed. There could be a number of causes but one I have seen most is a result of a brake problem caused by seized brake pads in the calipers, seized caliper pistons in the calipers, or sticking or mis adjusted parking brake. All these should be checked when a job like this is performed. Any of the afformentioned will create heat build up which will eventually ruin the seal. Yes, seals do fail in time, but quite often there is a reason.

At this time I would take a couple minutes, jack the rear of the vehicle up,try to spin the wheel and reassure myself all is free.

If you saw any groove worn into the axle while you had it out or any discoloration you might want to investigate further to prevent another failure.

Most manufacturers are specifing synthetic fluid in the differentials. Personally, I hate this stuff! We never had the failure rate of differential bearings we have seen in the last few years. I drained the diffs in my Chev 1500 when I bought it and changed it to conventional fluid. Over 81000 miles, changed the fluids last week in prep to tow a camper and the fluid looked [ and smelled ] like new. Just my opinion.

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