Gear oil leak after axle replaced

[CanadianEh48]

Hey guys. I recently had my passenger side axle replaced at a local shop. I just crawled underneath my car for the first time since having the work done, and I noticed a significant amount of oil around where the axle enters the transmission, as well as on the surrounding suspension components. I went ahead and cleaned it up, came back 10 minutes later, and I had a single drip of gear oil that had leaked out.

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What are some possible causes for this leak? Ive done some digging, and I've come up with a few possibilities:

- the axle spindles were not greased when installed, allowing gear oil to get past.
- a worn axle seal
- the axle isn't seated properly into the transmission

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[LowerMyCG5]

when you take the axle out the trans fluid drains out. i learned that today

 

[CanadianEh48]

Usually only a bit comes out, just make sure you top it off after, with the car parked on a level surface.

It can be a **** to top off, which is why I want to stop my leak

 

[619rcr]

Axle seal leaking. Should have been suggested to replace when axle replaced by shop.

 

[CanadianEh48]

Axle seal leaking. Should have been suggested to replace when axle replaced by shop.

The car originally went to the shop because the axle boot was ripped, and the CV joint was clicking when I turned. There was no leak prior to bringing my car in. Is a blown seal something they would see when replacing the axle, or is it one of those things that only becomes obvious when fluid is making it past?

 

[619rcr]

The car originally went to the shop because the axle boot was ripped, and the CV joint was clicking when I turned. There was no leak prior to bringing my car in. Is a blown seal something they would see when replacing the axle, or is it one of those things that only becomes obvious when fluid is making it past?

They should be recommended to replace, just because you are already there. It is possible that the seal was fine, but removing the axle & installing another aggrevated it and now you have a leak. Its just like when you do a timing belt. You should do the water pump and balancer belt while you are in there. why do the job twice?

 

[CanadianEh48]

Ok thanks for the feedback. I only took it to the shop because I didn't have a garage to do it in myself, and its too cold/wet in the winter to do it outside.

Now that the weather is warming up, I can do this myself. Any tips on replacing the seal, aside from not scratching the metal it sits in when removing?

 

[1NonlyAccord]

Just use a flat head screw driver..Honda seal was like 8$,parts store sells are like 4$. I ordered mine from TAS auto.

 

[619rcr]

Ok thanks for the feedback. I only took it to the shop because I didn't have a garage to do it in myself, and its too cold/wet in the winter to do it outside.

Now that the weather is warming up, I can do this myself. Any tips on replacing the seal, aside from not scratching the metal it sits in when removing?

Not really, its pretty simple. I just used a thick hook tool and dug under the back and removed it by tilting and tapping on the tool. Just like a grease seal on the front rotors of a truck, if you've ever done one. Tap it back in with a soft face mallet.

 

[Simkid5614]

I learned the rules of the CV axle seals. On any car, If you don't use a seal protector, It breaks EVERY SINGLE TIME you replace the CV. Yeah just pull it all apart, and pry it out, my saturn had snap rings. Make sure there isnt anything like that there. When replacing, just be sure to have a clean surface. No dirt gets into the housing. )