In Middle of Recovery Need Help! Hub leak - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

DeuceIsLoose · 02-08-2009, 19:15

Hi Gents,

I've got a friend on the road in the middle of a 700 mile recovery. He just called me and told me it looks like there's oil on the outside of the hub collecting in the wheel. He said there's about half a quart.

I know the axles are packed with grease so that shouldn't look like oil and I can't figure out what it could be. Could the hub seal have blown and differential fluid be leaking out? That's the only thing I can think??

If so, can he just keep topping off the differential and keep rolling?

Thanks for the quick replies.

Donnie

Westech · 02-08-2009, 19:16

axle seal.. they go to crap all the time. Just keep the axle full and truck home. worse thing to happen is fry the brake shoes and burn up the bearing on that wheel. (it happened to me)

DeuceIsLoose · 02-08-2009, 19:22

Westech,

Keep the axle full of axle grease or the differential full of fluid?

The axle gets grease through the fitting on top of the inner hub housing, right?

Thanks--I really appreciate it.

Donnie

ida34 · 02-08-2009, 19:27

Keep axle lube in the diff. The lube will wash the grease off the bearings so putting more grease in will not help.

DeuceIsLoose · 02-08-2009, 19:35

Ida34,

Just want to make sure I understand, put axle grease in the differential? The thick stuff you have to pump with a gun?

Thanks

Donnie

Pawnshop · 02-08-2009, 19:37

no, gear oil in the diff

Pawnshop · 02-08-2009, 19:40

The axle seal is allowing the gear oil to leak out of the axle into the hub, put in more gear oil so the diff doesn't run dry

dc3coyote · 02-08-2009, 19:44

Exactlety what they said, should be a 3/8 drive to open the diff port.
Good luck and tell your friend to keep an eye on things, you should mention that he is either sealing the underside of his truck, or setting up for one serious cleanup.

crazyplowboy · 02-08-2009, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by dc3coyote

Exactlety what they said, should be a 3/8 drive to open the diff port.
Good luck and tell your friend to keep an eye on things, you should mention that he is either sealing the underside of his truck, or setting up for one serious cleanup.

I've been changing my diff fluid this weekend and the plug is 1/2 drive, at least all 3 axles on my truck.

emmado22 · 02-08-2009, 19:51

Make sure he checks the axle breathers also. If they dont move, pressure can build, and that doesnt help anything.