Front Axle Leak

[Bobby Chong]

Hello everyone,



I just bought a 2003 ST 4x4 and as I was changing the oil, I noticed that the front axle is wet and oily. It is still under warranty until March '06. Does this look like abuse or is it a common problem with ST? Any comments would be appreciate. Hopefully the dealer won't give me a hard time when I bring it in on Saturday. I have upload the picture in the library. Don't know how to post it on here. Sorry.



TIA.



http://www.zjstech.net/~library/17162/Axle%20Leak.JPG

 

[EddieS'04]

Looks like the pinion seal is shot. I would think warrantiable. Maybe others can chime in on that..

 

[Nelson Atwell]

I have the same problem budmelon. I hope to get it fixed next week.



Here's your photo:

[Broken External Image]:

 

[Kevin Palmer]

It is not uncommon for that seal to fail. Kind of strange. They either last a virtual life time or fail in a year or so of being new. Get if replaced and you'll probably never have the issue again..

 

[Bobby Chong]

Thanks for all your reply. I will definitely make the appointment to get it fixed.



Nelson - how did you post the picture on the main page?



Thanks again everyone.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Once you are logged in you simply click on the last icon below the text box. It will open your library. Click in the little circle and the picture will be included in your post. If you doing more than one picture, after clicking the little circle you'll come back to the text box, hit the enter key. This will put space between the photo you just posted and the one your going to post next. Go back down to the Library Icon and click it. From there you'll know what to do.



[Broken External Image]:

 

[Dre L]

I had the issue on my 2001 job 2. entire differential had to be resealed, all the grease seals were shot.



$450

 

[matt williams 2]

Have them look at your yoke to see if it has a wear mark from the seal if it does then you can plan on doing a seal replacement every 30,000 miles like i've had to. Its caused by vibrations that wear out the seal. only fix is to have the whole diff rebuilt. or you can just do the replacemnt of the seal yourself for 20 bucks.

 

[Bobby Chong]

Thanks Matt,



I will definitely keep that in mind. Obviously when the time comes, I'll ask you, if you don't mind, on how to replace the yoke. At the moment, I don't even know what a yoke is?



Thanks again.

 

[matt williams 2]

the yoke is the short drive shaft that goes into the diff, they cost about 38.00 to get a new one. If you run your finger down the shaft it should be smooth if you feel a lip then there is vibration from the diff that is causing wear from beating the shaft against the seal. I should say the section that you feel is the part that goes in the diff so you have to pull it out to tell.

 

[Bobby Chong]

Got my truck back today and they replace the pinion seal under warranty. Thank god for that warranty.



Thanks everyone for pointing it out to me that it was the pinion seal. I'm learning something new everyday. Hopefully, it won't leak again in the future.