Seeping axle

I suggest you get under the car and take a look at the left drive shaft as it comes out of the transaxle and connects to the wheel. There are two CV joints for each drive shaft and it is likely that a boot is leaking, as you suggested above.

This should be immediately repaired to prevent damage to the joint. If the issue is just a loose metal band that secures the boot, this can be inexpensively replaced. I did this by buying a replacement band from a local discount auto parts store. If you have to rely on a mechanic, you can try going to an independent specializing in Toyota (or Japanese) vehicles and you should be charged for 1/2 hour of labor or so. Good luck.

 

Hi dkahl,

"Seeping" usually refers to a seal.

My guess is you have an axle seal on the transmission housing starting to leak.

Older cars will usually have a deposit of fluid that discolors the housing in these areas. The issue is if it starts to leak alot, the tranmssion fluid level can drop too much. If you see a drop forming below the seal (more than just a discoloration), that is too much leakage and the seal should be replaced.

 

On a Ford, this is considered to be normal. On a Toyota, it is unusual and should be repaired. :madgrin:

 

if it were a torn CV boot, that would need to be repaired asap before further axle damage occurs. but a seepage sounds more like an axle seal. (torn boots tend to literally throw grease around under the car!) an axle seal can wait until financial resources can be drummed up- IF the seepage is minor. that happens with wear and mileage. it's a replace as needed item, like almost all engine and trans seals.

 

If the problem is just a loose metal band, then the cost should be minor (<$100.)

If the problem is a torn CV boot or an axle seal then the drive shaft will have to be removed (~$300?)

If the problem is a torn CV boot and the CV joint cannot be reused then you'll need a new drive shaft (~$750?).

 

Ain't that the truth! Ten years ago when I was looking for a used truck to use as a farm truck, every single Ford I looked at had fluids leaking all over the place...except one. A few thousand miles before the owner had every leaking seal and gasket replaced (and had the receipts to prove it.) He had also recently replaced the transmission. I bought his truck.

I did notice a very slow drip from the oil plug though. Some neanderthal had overtightened it and stripped the threads. Had to order a new plug--two week wait as neither the dealer or any part stores carried the drain plugs for Ford's most common V-8???

Even though that engine was tighter than any of the others I test drove (and there were a bunch), it still was a maintenance headache. I couldn't keep plug wires in it, tried various types and custom routing/spacing and they were all shot within a few thousand miles. It would be smooth as butter for about 1000 miles and my wife would say, "Hey, what did you do to this thing", then it would pick up a slight stumble in the idle. Grommet failed on the accelerator pedal...that was interesting...stranded me until I could borrow some needlenose pliers. Alternator stranded me a time or two and tried to way off road on a ranch in the middle of BFE. Had to replace both exhaust manifolds as the cantilever exhaust piping hang was contributing to cracking at the rear sparkplug holes. Looked like a poorly considered manifold design to me.

 

Hello Galaxee:

Just curious: if the axle seal goes on a G2, does it require the transaxle to be removed for it to be fixed, or can it be done in place?

Thanks

 

There is a section in the Service Manual which gives the procedure for replacing the axle seals with the transaxle in the vehicle. You need a SST (special service tool) which appears to be an inside jaw puller. A lift would come in handy as well.

 

you do have to remove the axle, but not the transaxle unit, to replace the axle seal.

 

We just had the "left axle seal leaking" from the dealer. 65000 service. Luckily we had the extended warranty and it paid for the $600 quoted (but on the bill the warranty showed they paid $331- amazing how it differs) driver side axle differential seal replacment....took a day to get the part.

 

So now you're about $700 under water on the extended warranty?

 

warranty screws techs over pretty good. they generally hate it.

 

I just paid my local independent garage to replace my driver's side axle seal and change the transaxle fluid in my 2005 with 70,000 miles. I noticed the seep when I was under the car doing a visual check as part of my DIY oil change. Out of three Oregon dealers I checked, two had never done an axle seal and one had done a few. I was quoted a labor fee of 180.00, 210.00 and 255.00 plus 20.00 for the seal. I paid Bellinger Tire and Auto of Salem Oregon 200.00 labor for the axle seal and fluid change and bought the seal (18.10) and 4 quarts of full synthetic ATF WS (32.00) from the dealer. I don't think any of the dealers would have changed the fluid for free, so I figure I saved up to $100.00 and got to deal with my local shop that has been good to me for years. They did a great job and the leak is cured.

It always seems to be the driver's side seal that leaks. I think it's because it's closer to the tire than the passenger side seal (engine on pass side, transaxle on the driver's side of the car) and it gets more road water and dirt thrown on it by the tire, so it wears faster.

I changed the trans fluid because Bob Wilson, and others, recommend it. It seems like cheap insurance compared to replacing the transaxle. I remember the Peter Wilson had to replace his transaxle at 125,000 miles. He bought the car used. When he pulled the transaxle himself, amazing job by the way, he found the fluid was dark and ugly and the driver's side axle seal had been seeping. One dealer told me the transaxle was sealed, not vented. If that's true, when the axle seal is worn and the pressure in the transaxle increases with heat, the seal can seep. It seems that conversely, when it cools and the pressure decreases, it could draw in dirt and contaminants.

So, I think I've done my due diligence in the transaxle maintenance department.

Thanks to all for the good information, Dan.