Quick question everyone...hopefully an easy fix but the darn tailshaft housing started leaking on my 2001 4.6 this week (I noticed it marking its territory on the driveway). It is an auto, not sure of the exact model. How bad of a job is this to fix, I have to go grab a haynes manual, but is this going to be a PIA or a relatively easy fix?

 

9 out of 10 times it is caused by a rear bushing failure. You may need a new driveshaft yoke as well.
You can get a complete rear housing from the dealer or maybe have someone fix yours.
Alan

 

Is there any particular way that you can tell that a new yoke is needed when you get the driveshaft off? Don't tell me that the only way to fix the seal is to replace the housing......

 

it is not hard to put a new seal in go to a part place and should be less then $10 having to put new part in there should not be a reason to.

 

BC--, The if the yoke has a significent gruve in the location the seal is supposed to work on, that may be a reason for leakage as well as seal hardening from age.
A worn tail shaft housing bushing, lack of or low fluid, bad cross joint all could have contributed to the seal failure.
The leak is only the end result.
Also, overfilling will aggravate the poor seal situation.
Jack the rear of the truck fairly high and place jack stands for saftey, to minimize the fluid loss out the tail shaft housing once the yoke is removed. Evaluate the situation and replace the seal.
It will come out with a small flat bar of some sort, but when installing a new seal, you must start it evenly with some sort of tool that rest's over the whole seal so it doesnot become diatorted and goes in evenly all around and seats to depth without being damaged.
Then see how it seals. If you still have a problem then more action has to be take. Thats just the way things are done.
Good luck.

 

Thanks guys! Will do!