'05 Explorer - Front axle leak?

[lugNutz]

I jumped under the truck today and was pleasantly surprised at what I found. A milky, dark gray oil. Any ideas of what could be the problem here, throw them out there.

It's the front right shaft, none of the other 3 had any leakage. Since its the front, I would image that this is okay to continue driving with as long as I don't engage the 4-wheel drive?

 

[cknight49090]

Its the seal you can pull the axle and replace it.You can drive it just keep an eye on the fluid.

 

[artificialist]

before you decide to replace it, set aside enough money for a replacement CV axle. Sometimes when the seal fails, it scratches up the surface of the inner CV joint, and that damaged surface will quickly destroy a new seal.

You can keep topping off the gear oil level if it leaks at the current rate.

 

[lugNutz]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
before you decide to replace it, set aside enough money for a replacement CV axle. Sometimes when the seal fails, it scratches up the surface of the inner CV joint, and that damaged surface will quickly destroy a new seal.
I'm assuming this is the part I am looking for ("Half-shaft assembly")?
A-1 Cardone

If this is all I need, RockAuto has it for about $124 and a $75-ish core charge. That's not too bad

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: lugNutz
Originally Posted By: artificialist
before you decide to replace it, set aside enough money for a replacement CV axle. Sometimes when the seal fails, it scratches up the surface of the inner CV joint, and that damaged surface will quickly destroy a new seal.
I'm assuming this is the part I am looking for ("Half-shaft assembly")?
A-1 Cardone

If this is all I need, RockAuto has it for about $124 and a $75-ish core charge. That's not too bad

Yes, that is the part you need.

The best thing to do is get a reman from Ford, or a new part from a driveshaft shop. Low cost rebuilds can sometimes fail within a years, others last almost as long as the OEM part.

 

[cknight49090]

I would only replace it if you see anything wrong with it.Most of the OEM axles are better then a rebuilt.Certain brands are quality and some not so much.

 

[lugNutz]

I appreciate the advice. I will contact a neighborhood Ford dealer and see if they can get their hands on a reman. I would like to have it on hand just in case I notice some kind of grooving on it when I pull it. I figure if its not needed, I can always return it.

 

[cknight49090]

Yeah napa select I believe they are called are good. Some others too I cant remember off the top of my head.

 

[lugNutz]

I will check those out right now. Thanks!

 

[lugNutz]

Napa

$62.49 by me in stock for their reman. New is $102.xx

 

[Rand]

problem is they grind it.. that removes the hardening = fail really fast

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: lugNutz
Napa

$62.49 by me in stock for their reman. New is $102.xx


Those are just relabeled Cardone, I believe.

 

[yonyon]

Originally Posted By: lugNutz
I jumped under the truck today and was pleasantly surprised at what I found. A milky, dark gray oil.


Clogged vent hose?

 

[exranger06]

Originally Posted By: lugNutz

It's the front right shaft, none of the other 3 had any leakage. Since its the front, I would image that this is okay to continue driving with as long as I don't engage the 4-wheel drive?

No, the CV axles are always spinning, even in 2wd. Therefore, the gears in the front differential are always spinning, even in 2wd. If you let the front axle run out of oil, you will destroy it even if you don't use 4wd.

 

[lugNutz]

Originally Posted By: yonyon
Originally Posted By: lugNutz
I jumped under the truck today and was pleasantly surprised at what I found. A milky, dark gray oil.


Clogged vent hose?
Could you please elaborate?

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Pulling the halfshaft will likely make it spew oil out of that side too. Also, may be an issue if the wheel bearing is held together with the axle shaft.

 

[MNgopher]

Since all of this is spinning and moving as none of it gets disconnected in the explorer 4x4 system (and gets power all the time up to about 45 mph), I'd not wait very long before making this repair. Failing to get it done soon enough could toast your front differential if you lose enough gear oil and don't monitor the level.

May not hurt to have the axle shaft on hand, but decide whether to replace based on condition of the sealing surface.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: lugNutz
Originally Posted By: yonyon
Originally Posted By: lugNutz
I jumped under the truck today and was pleasantly surprised at what I found. A milky, dark gray oil.


Clogged vent hose?
Could you please elaborate?


Differentials are vented with either a hose or small valve that keeps pressure from building up inside the housing. If this vent is blocked in some way, either by debris or a sharp bend in the hose, oil can be forced out of whichever seal(s) are weakest.

This is more likely to happen on a vehicle that is driven off road a lot. Not very likely to happen on a primarily street driven vehicle that uses a vent hose vs. a valve. It's something to check out while you are under there though.

 

[lugNutz]

Well, took a look around and found that I have some leakage around the driveshaft upfront by the differential. Is this another seal possibly? From what I found, it looks like they call it the pinion seal unless in wrong....

 

[andyd]

How low is the lube level? The easiest way to deal with this kind of leak is to top off as needed. The front end of the Rat drips from the pumpkin. I check it on occasion.Your trucklet is a 10 yr old Ford. I wouldn't be pouring money into it.