need serious help with fluid leakage

i went outside and looked at my car and notice a good amount of fluid coming out of the inner rear tire. I thought oh ok i got a busted wheel cylinder. i took off the drum and the cylinder wasent wet. the boots looked fine and was dry around them. Then i noticed it dosent get wet untill half way down where the axle connects to the drum assembly. the fluid looks like oil and is pretty thick. and my brake fluid isnt low. the corner of my axle looks wet, about 1 inch long. this sounds like my axle is leaking dosent it? but i didnt think there was much fluid in the axle part, just the differential pumpkin. this is my only car and i dont want to burn up the differential so its parked right now so any input would REALLY be appreciated.

It could be an axle seal leaking where it goes into the tube, have you checked the fluid level of rear diff?

no i havent checked it yet. how do i check it? if the fluid is low then ill have to take the diff cover off and pop out the c-lcip and take the axle out right? i dont have to mess with the preload or crush sleeve or any of that stuff right?

To check, remove pipe plug from right side of diff, fluild should be level with bottom of hole if full. To remove axle: Remove cover. There will be a 5/16 headed bolt on carrier holding cross shaft, remove it. Slide shaft out of carrier. With shaft out push axle in c clip should fall out. Remove axle.

quote:

ORIGINAL: 1989 fleetwood

no i havent checked it yet. how do i check it? if the fluid is low then ill have to take the diff cover off and pop out the c-lcip and take the axle out right? i dont have to mess with the preload or crush sleeve or any of that stuff right?

what kind of car are we discussing ?

its a 1994 fleetwood RWD. i have to jack up the rear end to get to the plug, is that going to offset my reading on the fluid level? once i get the axle out, whats that tool called that i use to punch out the seal? am i crazy to try this myself?

It will be a lot easier on a hoist. Can''t you go to a local shop and ask then to check your rear diff fluid level. They can''t charge that much to do it.

i found the bolt and stuck my finger as far as i can, but i didnt feel any fluid. if i drive it somewhere arent i going to burn up the diff if there isnt any fluid? that bolt on the side where i checked my fluid, is that where i add the fluid as well?

also are there any bearings that ill have to deal with as well as the seal?

Yes, you added fluid using same hole. Axle bearing is behind seal. check condition of section of shaft were bearing rides.Minor wear and discoloration is normal. There should not be any grooving or pitting, if either is present you will need new bearing and axle or special bearing called an "axle saver", Seal can be removed with dent puller,long pry bar or c clip end of axle. Slide hammer with bearing remover and bearing installer required to replace bearing.

i took all the bolts off the diff cover, but i cant get the cover off. Theres a bunch of white sealer along the edge, maybe RTV sealant. But are there any tricks to get it off? maybe some PB blaster? i tried hammering a screw driver, but no success. And im doing it on my back so its a little tuff.

Alright i got the diff cover off but i cant get the c-clip out. I can see it and it floats around in a circle but it wont come out. I cant push the axle in because of the pinion shaft thats in the middle of the spider gears. What am i forgeting to do to get this c-clip out? please help im stuck

ive got a feeling i have to take out that center pin, but if i do wont all the gears fall down? thats my only fear.

Center pin has to come out,(5/16 headed bolt) no gears shouldn''t fall out. However they can move with pin out and you can rotate axle with shaft out and remove them. If you are lost find someone to help you who knows what their doing.

i took the center pin out but the axle still wont push in to get the c-clip. When i push it, it feels like the center pin is still in there. There are four bolts on the drum back plate, should i take these off? It seems like that wouldnt do anything though.

the axle moved in a little bit now but just a hair more and i can get the c-clip out. I tried using a magnet to see if it can pull it out, but the axle needs to come in a little more. guy at the parts store told me to turn the axle and push in, but i dont want the gears to fall down. What do you think i should do from here? Will my gears fall down if i turn the axle and push in?

alright i figured it out, there was an awkard looking thing coming through the drum back plate pushing against the axle so it couldnt move in. I unscrewed it and got it out of the way and got my c-clip out. my axles out but not i have to go to work so tommorow ill pop the seal out and stick the new one in. just to make sure the seal is the closest thing to the wheel right? right in front the bearing.

Yes.

now that im looking at my axle it has some marks on it. Not so much as indintions or grooves as it is discolored, but the axle is black and theres 3 white spots where it lookes like it waas riding on something. There about 1 inch wide and about 1-2 inches apart from each other. Is this nomall or should i replace the axle?

oh never mind i see your other post slowrow, thanks.

alright i finished. thank you every one for all your help. Oh but before i forget i got one thing on the back of my mind. Is it possible to put the c-clip in backwards? i took my car to a jiffy lube to make sure my diff level was right and they tried selling me a diff oil change and new backplate. lol those guys are unreal.

C-Clip is not directional, being you made it to Jiffy Lube and back without axle coming out of rear diff you should be ok.

alright guys, its been about 2 weeks and i checked my diff fluid again just to make sure its right, and its leaking out of the bottom of the diff cover. The gasket i put on it must not be on right or maybe theres some unlevel spots. someone told me that i have to put an atv sealent with on the gasket. Is this true? i thought you should never use atv sealent when using a gasket. What should i do, should i take it off and scrap the surface to make sure its level?

And I need help.   I am in Iceland, own Cadillac Dewille 2004.  Can anybody tell me how I can contakt someone to help me with my car.  The car will not start, no light in the dascboard.  What can i do.   My e-mail is gumminn@yahoo.com if you can help me.

hey guys its been awhile, but i figured id let you know how everything turned out. I replace the bearing, the axle, and the seal again, now it dosent leak anymore. I found out that the guy who owned the car before me had to change out the bearing and axle on the other side. He said there was some defect where the bearing was a tougher material than the axle on that year of the car. But non the less i finished and it drives great now. I want to thanks everyone for their help, i couldnt of done it without yall. It was defintially a learning experince.