Having my truck in 4 wheel drive a few times this winter, i noticed a leak at the front passenger side where the CV meets the Differential. It's gear oil for sure. Has anybody ever had to replace this seal? I don't know much about it at all. I honestly don't even know if there is a seal at the very end of the front differential right where it ends and meets the CV shaft, but there is gear oil leaking from there. I just assumed there was a seal there, but have been thinking if my gear fluid should even be coming all the way to that point on the circular part of the differential's end. I am almost wondering if something inside the front diff went wrong, a seal inside the actual gear area? If anybody could give me some advise on what could be happening, I would really appreciate it!

 

There is a seal there. Mine is leaking to and I'm kicking myself for not thinking of replacing them when I regeared...But its like $28 if I remember. I haven't put it in yet, I'm probably going to wait til spring or Summer to replace it. You have to disconnect the upper BJ and tie rod and disconnect the shock from the bottom. If you torsion bars are maxed its a B!tch to get the shock to bolt down again. Then just pull the CV and your in.

 

Seems to be common enough with the front diff's. My '09 started doing it less than a year old and when I mentioned it to the dealership, it just happened to be after I drove for a while in the rain so it was washed clean. Oddly enough its never done it since but I'm getting close to the end of the warranty so I'm hoping it'll start so I don't have to pay for the repair. LR

 

Ok, thanks guys. Yeah, I was told that the vent hose could be clogged and when all the heat and pressure build up that's one of the places where it will release. I pulled the vent hose off, cleaned it out and blew it out with the air compressor, it didn't seem too dirty but where it is fastened up at the upper shock tower area, that clamp was smashing those pretty bad. I wiped all the oil clean, drove it awhile and did notice just a drop of fluid on the end of the cv about an hour later, but nothing dripping down onto the driveway. But, I have Vaccum Hubs, so I am pretty sure, the CV's, driveline, and gears in the differential are not even moving until i lock it in 4 Wheel. I am going to put it in 4H and drive around for a bit, and check again.

 

I've had my truck puke out a little oil from the front diff. vent before too. I thought it was the stupid slave cylinder again, but they put it up on the lift and showed me where it was coming from, and told me it was normal.

 

ive done those seals on my ranger, the hardest part is getting to them, as posted earlier you have to dissemble the knuckle form the UCA and that should get you enough room to work the CV out to get to the seal. you shouldnt have to separate the knuckle from the LCA. be careful not to damage the seal, its easy to do and do yourself a favor and get genuine ford seals. i got seals from NAPA and they didnt fit, had to go to ford to get the right ones.

 

I was looking on the OReilly website for the seals. They have some motorcraft ones there which might be the best ones to get. Here is a link to what i was looking at. Are these the ones, There wasn't anything for "outer axle seal" just axle seal. List: Axle Shaft Seal - 1999 Ford Ranger | O'Reilly Auto Parts

 

Ive burned through 5 different seals so far. The first couple i rushed but my 5th still wont go in and is unscathed. I just found this forum and really wish i would have sooner. worth a shot