When cleaning my truck, I noted the left rear wheel had some black grease on it. I cleaned it. After driving less than 500 miles, the grease is back There isn't a lot, but it's coming from under the hubcap and is deposited on the wheel by centrifugal forces. Does Ford have a problem with axle seals or is my truck unique?

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1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
Polished Stainless Steel Wheel-well Molding http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html

 

I haven't seen the problem on my truck and don't remember seeing here before, it looks like you just got "lucky".


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1999 Lariat Super Cab, S.B. 5.4L, 3.55 LS
and everything but the leaky slider window.
Bright red w/ gold 2-tone, Leather Captain's Chairs
Mods: Duraliner bedliner, Bugflector II, Hide-a-hooks.
& a leeetle chrome tip on the exhaust.

 

Is it a big job to replace the rear axle seal? I'm trying to figure when to schedule taking it to the dealer.

 

Any of you guys (gals) done this?
Is it a big job to change the axle seal?
I have the 4.30 LS differential.
TIA

 

I just looked over the procedure in my haynes manual and it doesn't look to bad. They only showed an open not a LS rearend though. Not sure if the clutch packs would interfer with C-clip removal or not. All in all probably one of the simplier things to do on the rearend but it will be messy.

[This message has been edited by ps398 (edited 01-03-2000).]

 

Thanks!

 

J-C,

You have a full floater rear end. There shouldn't be any C-clips. If it is like my Dana 60, then all you have to do is unbolt the 8 bolts around the hub and pull out the axle. You don't even have to pull the wheel. I dunno if Ford is using a seal or what. My 73 had thin metal seals that I had to buy at Ford. If your under war. then have Ford fix it.

 

Yes, V10-Man, it is still under warranty.
I was just trying to get an idea of how long I'd be on foot after I took it to the dealer.
Thanks for your reply!

 

My 1998 f150 stx sometimes has grease on it after its been parked overnight.also i have noticed other fluids:clear and one time a lime green.

 

The lime green is what's known as...

...K9P

 

Get it done under warrtey. You will need a spec socket to do the job right $45.00 and will never need it again most likey Thats if you have the full floater

 

I've been bitten by the NORMAL bug.

The dealer finally got the parts in for the fuel system recall and I told him to fix the leak on the Left Rear axle. There was no grease on the wheel (because I keep it clean) and he said, "If it's leaking, he'll see it on the inside of the wheel." Then he checked the 'inside of the wheel' and verified the leak. That was yesterday...

Today he tells me, "That leak is NORMAL because, since you have disk brakes on the rear, there is NO seal!" When I challenged him, he said, "It's just wheel bearing grease and it won't hurt anything."

I have referred this matter to a "Higher Authority" - my wife! She, too, believes that there is no such thing as a "normal leak". I already feel for this poor service writer

The truck is actually my wife's - she just lets me drive it and maintain it Tina can identify with that

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1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
Polished Stainless Steel Wheel-well Molding http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html