Newbie needs coach

[laffycaffi]

Anyone out there want to help a newbie replace a front axle seal in trade for beer and burgers?

[Geologist]

Where are you located?

[laffycaffi]

Downtown Littleton

[Geologist]

Okay, you are about thirty minutes from me. I would not mind helping. I will be busy this weekend finishing up my dana 20 build. Hopefully I will finish it by Monday and will be open next weekend. When were you thinking of tackling this?

Just curious, did you make sure you don't have a blocked vent, that can cause your axle's to leak.

[laffycaffi]

I actually haven't noticed a leak in particular, but I've had this subtle "clank clank clank" when driving. It stops when I apply the brakes. A friend who knows more than I (I'm a newbie, remember) thinks it's a worn out axle seal. The weekend after next would work for me!

[Geologist]

I actually haven't noticed a leak in particular, but I've had this subtle "clank clank clank" when driving. It stops when I apply the brakes. A friend who knows more than I (I'm a newbie, remember) thinks it's a worn out axle seal. The weekend after next would work for me!

Hmmm, strange you have not noticed a leak. Your friend may be absolutely correct and it is not my intention to disrespect him. I just have never run across a bad axle seal creating noise issues. Typically, a bad wheel bearing will cause a noise that you describe, which causes the axle seal to wear and then you may see the axle leaking. It could even be a u-joint. Any vibration? Does it make the sound cruising, under a load, at certain speeds?

I am curious what other bronco owners think? Hopefully someone else will chime in with their 2 cents.

Either way, I will be glad to help out. I am pretty sure I have every tool needed for the job so let me know if you need anything. Even if it does not fix your problem, you will have new axle seals

[laffycaffi]

Well just because I didn't notice a leak doesn't mean it wasn't leaking. I didn't really check for any leaking and I have been parking it on the street, not my garage, so it's not as obvious as it could have been. I notice the clank at low speeds, but I figure that's just because I can hear it better going slow.

The u-joints look good to me. But I could be wrong on that, too.

[Geologist]

Okay. Well, hopefully I can finish up my bronco this weekend. I will definitely help if I can.

[laffycaffi]

thanks a ton! I'll PM you my contact info.

[Rox Crusher]

I agree that it is highly unlikely that a worn seal would cause any noise.

I am assuming you have a Dana 44 front axle ?

If so, the seal is inside the diff housing but you have to take the axles out to replace it.

There isn't a seal at the outer end of the axle tube but there is a dust / mud shield attached to the axle. It is designed to keep "stuff" from entering the axle tube. If the axle seal is indeed worn and leaking, the leaking oil rarely makes it out to the end of the axle tube as some of that "stuff" gets past the dust / mud shield and absorbs the leaking gear oil.

Also, assuming you are in 2WD with the front hubs disengaged, those front axles shouldn't be rotating which means their u-joints wouldn't be clunking. Same with front driveshaft.

I would start by jacking the front wheels off the ground and grabbing the tire to see if there is any slop in the front wheel bearings or balljoints.

[Kinder]

I'll add that if the noise stops when you apply the brakes then you may want to check them out as well.