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Leak?

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 3:00 pm
by stubiePW
As I was running the harness for my locker bypass, I noticed some moisture on the passenger side. 2012 PW ~46k miles.
Any ideas? I am no mechanic
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Re: Leak?

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 3:33 pm
by leo72987
Looks like your axle seal is on it's way out... orrr your diff fluid is so diluted with water it's leaking past the seal lol. Not sure if you drive through deep water or not. I'm leaning more towards axle seal.

Re: Leak?

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 3:49 pm
by Colibri
From the pic I'd have to say axle seal as well, does it smell like gear oil and feel viscous? Seems odd having a seal failure on a relatively low mileage newer truck. Need more info

Re: Leak?

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 4:34 pm
by RustyPW
Axle seal. Keep an eye on your lube level. Mine used to do that, then it quite. Don't know why.

Re: Leak?

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 5:12 pm
by stubiePW
Haha. I doubt it is watered down diff fluid. I have changed the fluid within the last year and a half. Have not been in deep water since. If it is the axle seal, how big of a PIA is it to fix?

Re: Leak?

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 5:13 pm
by stubiePW
Colibri wrote:From the pic I'd have to say axle seal as well, does it smell like gear oil and feel viscous? Seems odd having a seal failure on a relatively low mileage newer truck. Need more info
It did smell like gear oil. I made sure because it rained last night. Driver side is dry

Re: Leak?

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 6:54 pm
by Colibri
Unfortunately you have to pull the carrier to replace the inner seal. Not that hard but if you're not mechanically inclined mAy want to pay to have it done. Maybe yours will heal itself like RustyPW's, like the man said, keep an eye on the level

Re: Leak?

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 7:18 pm
by olyelr
RustyPW wrote:Axle seal. Keep an eye on your lube level. Mine used to do that, then it quite. Don't know why.

Its because the fluid is now low from leaking :lol:

Re: Leak?

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 7:29 pm
by RustyPW
olyelr wrote:
RustyPW wrote:Axle seal. Keep an eye on your lube level. Mine used to do that, then it quite. Don't know why.

Its because the fluid is now low from leaking :lol:
Yea, it's full of water now from Rausch Creek. :lol:

Re: Leak?

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:43 am
by PWRider
Worst possibility is bent axle. Ask how I know. Look at the side of housing. Is it all dry there?

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Re: Leak?

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2015 12:44 pm
by Will
Both my front and rear pinion seals with leak from time to time, just enough to wet the housing. Then it might not do it again for months. Fluid level is fine, just seeping every now and then. I'd make sure the level was good and no water and just keep an eye on it. Mine began this when I changed the factory gear oil to Amsoil Heavy Duty Synthetic. I've "heard" the synthetic oil molecules are uniform and smaller and will get past seals more easily.

Re: Leak?

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2015 12:57 pm
by RustyPW
Will wrote:Both my front and rear pinion seals with leak from time to time, just enough to wet the housing. Then it might not do it again for months. Fluid level is fine, just seeping every now and then. I'd make sure the level was good and no water and just keep an eye on it. Mine began this when I changed the factory gear oil to Amsoil Heavy Duty Synthetic. I've "heard" the synthetic oil molecules are uniform and smaller and will get past seals more easily.
I've read the same thing too, about some synthetic lubes.

Re: Leak?

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2015 8:09 pm
by 2011RPW
Will wrote:Both my front and rear pinion seals with leak from time to time, just enough to wet the housing. Then it might not do it again for months. Fluid level is fine, just seeping every now and then. I'd make sure the level was good and no water and just keep an eye on it. Mine began this when I changed the factory gear oil to Amsoil Heavy Duty Synthetic. I've "heard" the synthetic oil molecules are uniform and smaller and will get past seals more easily.
Same here. Since the switch to Amsoil, my pinions weep from time to time. Plus, I over fill them too, so that's another cause, I'm sure.