So I got my tires rotated by a mech that's not my normal one the other day while I was waiting for a buddy to bring me my tools. The next day I did a 900 mile road trip... The day after arriving at my destination I noticed some grease on the inside of my rear drivers side. I'm pretty sure it's not brake fluid. I changed my diff fluid about 20,000 miles ago. Everything I've seen says rear axle seal. Anything else this could be? I had changed my front brakes a week before the tire rotation and that tire had been on the front. My truck has 155,000 miles on it. Any suggestions?

 

Sounds like a rear axle seal leak to me too. I only noticed it from the wheel drip.

 

Ok so this is my only vehicle while I'm away from home. I would need to get the parts and drive to my dad's place to work on it... All around 100 miles.. It's not profusely leaking, a slow leak I guess... Am I going to be good driving that distance and working on it? Am I going to need any special tools?

 

There is a good how to in the how to section.

 

you can drive on it for awhile. Eventually people run the rear differential out of gear oil and that's what causes them to have to rebuild their whole axle. Also sometimes it's more than just the axle seal, it could be the outer bearing starting to loosen up and allow fluid to sling out around the seal.

A slide hammer and a bearing puller set will allow you to change the outer bearing.

 

Check the diff fluid, top it up if necessary, clean the wheel up and keep an eye on it.

It's possible it could be grease from the FRONT wheel bearing - check that wheel out too.

 

I agree with glc. Check both of em out.

 

Ok so here's a other question... Can I change just the seals without taking the bearings out? None of the articles go into detail on that. It just says to take the bearings out and ten the axles. My pops says he knows how to do it but he's never done a ford. Also there is a vibration/humming when I accelerate around corners, it's not the front tires rubbing. I'm going to change out the bearings but I'm just wondering. Also there is a 'spray' like little spots of grease along my axle like I had ran over some oil... Also the Hynes how-to book doesn't go over how to change the seals, kinda upsetting.

 

Yes, you can change the seals without removing the bearings. But you have to remove the axles first before you can change anything. The rear seals can be pulled out with a seal puller or screwdriver. If the humming noise is up front, it could possibly be a hub bearing assembly.

 

Thanks everyone for the help! I changed them out today. The bearings on the side that was leaking literally fell out when I hit them with the slide hammer. It's all went well though. I didn't loose that much fluid, measured out to 2 3/4 qt. everything looked good inside. Anything I should watch for? I changed the bearings and seals on both sides.

 

Sounds like you did an excellent job, that should of taken care of it.

 

Yep, good job. I usually just do the side that's leaking. Both sides are better for sure. Bearing + seal always. You also have bearing choices. Better the bearing -mo $$.