Axle Seal Leaking

[Smoky]

I had to get a tire patched today and when the back right tire was removed i noticed the brake rotor and caliper is oily. Not the face of the rotor but the outer edge of the rotor where the vent holes are located. The mechanic at the shop said that it was the axle seal. Is this considered part of the drivetrain as I have a 30 day/3000 mile warranty on the engine and drivetrain? I still have about 19 days and 1900 miles on the warranty. How hard is the seal to change and what is the cost at the dealership gonna run?

 

[DaveBen]

Yes it is considered part of the drive train.

Dave

 

[Smoky]

Went back to the car dealer i bought it from today. He said that was part of the warranty as we agreed. I'll carry it in to the mechanic tomorrow morning. They said they can fix it tomorrow.

What all should be replaced? seal? bearings? fluid? what weight? how much? additives?

Should the bearings be replaced on both sides at the same time for any reason?

 

[Smoky]

wrong gear oil

Carried the leaking axle in to have the seal replaced yesterday. Seal was replaced, bearing had no wear problems. The shop put in a quart of 75W90 which should have been 75W140 according to Ford. Is there a bad problem with the wrong wt fluid in the rearend?

 

[DaveBen]

What do you drive and what is the rear end? Posi or not? If it is NOT posi, then you can go for a while before replacing your fluid with the recommended one. If you have posi, you will want to change it NOW! You can burn out the posi if you don't.

Dave

 

[DaveBen]

Posi = Limited Slip.

Dave

 

[Smoky]

Wrong Gear Oil

I was hoping you would respond. I know what positive traction limited slip differentials are. If the 75W90 had the friction additive would that make a difference or is it strictly the viscosity of the oil that would burn out the rearend?

 

[DaveBen]

I used to run 90 weight gear oil in all of my diff's a few years ago and never burned up any gears. I broke several, but never saw any signs of excessive heat in the rear end. I would say that you would be OK unless you pull a heavy load. If you are going to do heavy pulling, change it to be safe. It is not that hard or expensive.

Dave