To replace the seal, take the following steps:
- Jack up one side of your truck to take the weight off the wheel.
- Remove the wheel.
- Remove the axle shaft.
- Remove the hub retaining hardware.
- Slide off the hub and drum as a unit. ...
- Replace the seal behind the hub.
- Put everything back together in the reverse order of removal.
- Repeat on the other side.
How much is an axle seal replacement?
Fixing an axle seal can cost anywhere from $150 to several hundred dollars, depending on the make and model of your car. If you detect a leak it's better to fix it sooner rather than later, as ruining your transmission is an expensive repair.
Where are axle seals located?
An axle shaft seal can be found in a few different places: On a vehicle with a semi-float live axle, the seal is at the outer end of the axle tube. On a truck or SUV with front CV axles, the axle seal is at the inboard end of the axle where it goes into the differential.
How serious is a leaking axle seal?
Since the transmission fluid drops, there is not enough fluid for brake band friction, valve operation, gear lubrication, and the torque converter. If the leaking axle seal does not get fixed soon and the transmission is slipping, you could cause permanent damage to the transmission.
How do I know if my axle seal is leaking?
Puddles of oil on your driveway are usually one of the earliest signs of an axle seal leak. As the seal tears and cracks, oil tends to seep through and leak out, pooling underneath your car.
Can I drive with a leaking axle?
While a CV axle leaking may not cause problems right out of the gate, once you detect any of the signs noted above or suspect there may be an issue, you should stop driving the vehicle immediately until you resolve the problem.
How many axle seals does a car have?
All vehicles today are front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, or all wheel drive. Each vehicle has an axle that provides power transfer to the wheels. Each axle is different in every way and has two to three seals on them.
Can leaking axle seal affect transmission?
The front axle shaft seal mounts into the axle shaft tube or the differential case depending on design, and prevents the internal fluid from leaking out. If the front axle shaft seal becomes compromised, transmission fluid will leak and possibly damage the transmission or differential.
What does an axle leak sound like?
A Loud Clanking, Clunking, or Clicking If there is an unusual loud clanking or clunking as you put your vehicle into gear, or if a vehicle seems to struggle to get power as it starts to move, there may be axle-joint damage.
What causes a blown axle seal?
Axle seals can go bad for a few different reasons. The most common reason is due to wear and tear. Over time, the seal starts to break down and allows oil to leak out. This can happen if you don't regularly maintain your vehicle or if you drive it hard.
How long do axle seals last?
between 50K and 100K milesTo be more specific, rear axle seals usually last between 50K and 100K miles. They're simple parts, so how can they fail? It's quite simple: wear and tear. Rubber seals dry out over time.
How does axle seal affect transmission?
The axle seal connects the axle to the transmission and keeps the transmission fluid from leaking. Depending on the size of the leak, it may be okay to drive with a leaking axle seal but you probably won't get very far.
How long can you drive with a leaking axle boot?
you are safe until it starts to create a clicking sound when turning, then you will have to replace the whole CV joint. if you drive it for too long the company may not take your core back if you pick up a reman unit. 50 miles you "should" be ok.
What is a front axle seal?
The front axle shaft seal is what prevents the fluid in your differential from leaking out around the axle. The differential delivers engine power from your transmission to the wheels, and allows your wheels to move. Accordingly, it needs to be lubricated, as does your axle.
What does it mean if my axle is leaking?
This tool helps you do just that. In most cases, the most common cause of axle oil leakage is due to a faulty axle tube seal. This seal is positioned at the end of the axle tube, between the braking components and the wheel bearings.
Can transmission fluid leak from CV axle?
One of the most common and probably most noticeable signs of a problem with one of the vehicle's axle shaft seals is a puddle of fluid underneath the car. When the axle shaft seal fails, oil or transmission fluid can leak from the transmission or differential.
Where are pinion seals located?
differentialsThe pinion seal is located inside differentials of vehicles. The pinion seal is located near the pinion shaft and is designed so that fluid does not leak out of the differential.
How to replace a rubber seal on a transmission?
Step 1: This seal has seen better days. One common way seals fail is when axles are removed, or installed improperly, thus tearing the rubber seal. Step 2: Here is the new seal, ready to install. Note the spring on the back of the flexible seal. Be careful not to drop this into the transmission or differential.
What is the purpose of the axle seal?
One is to keep the gear oil inside the case that contains the gears and the ends of the axles.
What is the seal on a transmission?
Since the axles going into the transmission, and the transmission itself, are made of metal, the axle seal houses a flexible seal that rides on the axle and keeps gear oil in, and crud out. The flexible seal uses a small amount of the gear oil in conjunction with the seal itself to achieve this task. The flexible seal is housed in a metal carrier, which allows it to be pressed into the transmission or differential semi-permanently.
Why is gear oil thicker?
One is that it is much thicker, possessing a higher viscosity. This viscosity helps the oil stick to the gears as they gnash and spin. The other difference is that gear oil is designed to provide lubrication in the high shock conditions that accompany the meshing and occasional mashing or grinding of gears.
What is a flexible seal?
The flexible seal is housed in a metal carrier, which allows it to be pressed into the transmission or differential semi-permanently. Axle seals can simply wear out, but the most common cause of failure is improper axle removal or installation. While the metal carrier of the seal is sturdy, the flexible seal is fragile and can be easily torn by ...
How to tell if oil is leaking from axle?
A surefire way to determine if the leaking oil in question is engine or gear oil is to follow your nose. Gear oil has a unique, rotten egg type of smell. Gear oil has this unique smell for a reason.
How to get rid of oil drips on driveway?
Sure, you can put a tray of some sort under the car, or use cat litter or some type of space age polymers to sop up the drips. You can even try parking in a different spot, but the oil will keep on dripping. While oil spots on the driveway are certainly a nuisance, the fact that the oil is no longer in the engine crankcase or transmission can pose a real problem for your transmission and your budget.
How to tell if an axle shaft seal is bad?
Common signs of a failing axle shaft seal include leakage around the seal and puddles of fluid if there is a serious leak. The axle may also pop out entirely, since the axle shaft seal may act not only to keep flow in but also as a support for the axle itself.
What is the purpose of axle seals?
The axle seals serve the purpose of keeping differential fluid in and keeping dirt, dust, and water out. Contamination can quickly ruin fluid which can ruin bearings, seals, and even the major components like the ring and pinion.
How to drain differential fluid?
To drain the differential, remove all the mounting bolts except one for one at the top of the differential cover. Step 2: Get drain pan ready. Place your drain pan underneath the differential. Step 3: Drain the fluid. Take your scraper and place it in between the differential cover and the axle house.
What happens if you don't have a brake caliper bracket?
If you don’t have a brake caliper bracket, your brake rotor should slide right off the axle flange (the mounting surface your wheel mounts to) and expose the entire flange.
How to clean a differential cover?
You want to get the surface free of any debris or old silicone. Take your brake cleaner and spray off any debris, and wipe the mating surfaces of the differential cover and the axle housing.
Why do axle seals fail?
Axle seals fail when there is a visible leak or a major puddle of gear oil underneath the vehicle . In some cases, the axle may pop out entirely. by Michael Gonzales on August 25, 2016. It is very important to replace axle seals because major damage, such as saturated brake pads and shoes and brake failure. An axle leak could also cause major damage ...
How to get a seal in a car?
With the seal in the right position, gently get the seal started by using a hammer and slightly tapping it into position. Once in place, set your seal driver flush on the seal face, and use your hammer to drive the seal into place until completely flush and flat on the axle housing. Step 5: Run fluid around the seal.
