Leaking Rear Axle Seals/No Parking Brake
#1
03-14-2001, 01:32 PM
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Washington, D.C.
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Leaking Rear Axle Seals/No Parking Brake
If your parking brake brake isn't working, it may be the rear axle seals.
97 Expedition, 38,000 miles. I park on a slight incline and use the parking brake. Over the last few months it has been getting weaker. It finally got to where it wouldn't hold the vehicle.
I thought that it was just out of adjustment, so I pulled the rear wheels, calipers and rotors to check it out. The Expedition has rear disc brakes, but the parking brake uses separate shoes, that fit into a "drum" on the back side of the rotor. What I found was grease all over the parking brake shoes and the parking brake "drum" on both rear wheels. It is leaking from both rear axle seals -- I could see a drip on both sides. I don't think that it's gotten on the brake pads or rotors, but it would have eventually. I cleaned off the grease and I'll be taking it into the dealer (fortunately, I have an extended warranty).
Has this happened to anyone else? I changed the rear end fluid (with Amsoil 75W140) about six months ago at around 32,000 miles. I didn't check the rear end fluid level before removing the diff cover, but I now think that it might have been low, and that the axle seals dried out and shrank. When I filled it up to the proper level, the leak might have begun. Or maybe they're just bad seals. I want the dealer to replace the parking brake shoes as they have been soaked in grease. I'd appreciate any ideas.
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97 Expedition XLT 4x4, Black, 3.73 LS, 5.4L, leather, all options except LLS, Edelbrock IAS shocks, BFG AT KO 285/75/16s on American Racing Atlas 16x8
[This message has been edited by Jon P (edited 03-14-2001).]
97 Expedition, 38,000 miles. I park on a slight incline and use the parking brake. Over the last few months it has been getting weaker. It finally got to where it wouldn't hold the vehicle.
I thought that it was just out of adjustment, so I pulled the rear wheels, calipers and rotors to check it out. The Expedition has rear disc brakes, but the parking brake uses separate shoes, that fit into a "drum" on the back side of the rotor. What I found was grease all over the parking brake shoes and the parking brake "drum" on both rear wheels. It is leaking from both rear axle seals -- I could see a drip on both sides. I don't think that it's gotten on the brake pads or rotors, but it would have eventually. I cleaned off the grease and I'll be taking it into the dealer (fortunately, I have an extended warranty).
Has this happened to anyone else? I changed the rear end fluid (with Amsoil 75W140) about six months ago at around 32,000 miles. I didn't check the rear end fluid level before removing the diff cover, but I now think that it might have been low, and that the axle seals dried out and shrank. When I filled it up to the proper level, the leak might have begun. Or maybe they're just bad seals. I want the dealer to replace the parking brake shoes as they have been soaked in grease. I'd appreciate any ideas.
------------------
97 Expedition XLT 4x4, Black, 3.73 LS, 5.4L, leather, all options except LLS, Edelbrock IAS shocks, BFG AT KO 285/75/16s on American Racing Atlas 16x8
[This message has been edited by Jon P (edited 03-14-2001).]
#2
03-14-2001, 07:41 PM
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Location: Indianapolis, IN USA
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Hopefully your diff. didn't get low enough to do any damage! When refilling a diff. the proper method would be to refill; then jack-up one side for 5 minutes-then lower that side & wait for 3-5 minutes (for fluid to seep down axle tube), then check fluid level. Repeat this procedure for opposite side--then check fluid once more.
Many people service an empty diff. housing & never get enough diff. fluid in their diff.
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1999 Teal Blue F-150 S/C
4.6L, XLT, 3.55 L/S 4x2
Tow pkg., Rhino liner, Engine block heater & Swiss hard toneau cover. Premium sound
255/75 R16 Generals-owl
This" is Mama's pride"
Many people service an empty diff. housing & never get enough diff. fluid in their diff.
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1999 Teal Blue F-150 S/C
4.6L, XLT, 3.55 L/S 4x2
Tow pkg., Rhino liner, Engine block heater & Swiss hard toneau cover. Premium sound
255/75 R16 Generals-owl
This" is Mama's pride"