Here we go... She's sprung a leak

[grammat95]

Well, I guess this will be the first major issue I've had with my Ranger. I peaked under my truck today after noticing some Oil drips on the pavement and it appears
that the front diff. has sprung a leak. From what I can see, it seems like the seal between the half shaft and front diff. is where the oil is coming from. Take a look at the pictures and let me know what you think. I called the dealer and the earliest I can get in is December (the truck is under warranty, currently at 35,000 miles).

Sponsored

 

[Dr3wDrop]

Is the fluid bubble on picture #2 red/pinkish?

 

[grammat95]

Is the fluid bubble on picture #2 red/pinkish?

No, it was a light brown and very thick... all signs point towards gear oil.

 

[Dr3wDrop]

Do you use 4wd often? I am trying to figure out why the front diff would spring a leak.

 

[grammat95]

Do you use 4wd often? I am trying to figure out why the front diff would spring a leak.

No... I use 4WD a handfull of times during the winter.

 

[Dr3wDrop]

Last question for you. Have you checked all the front end fluids? Looking at the splatter picture you posted it has leaked a pretty substantial amount. If you are waiting until December to get it looked at you might want to verify it is safe to drive?

 

[grammat95]

Last question for you. Have you checked all the front end fluids? Looking at the splatter picture you posted it has leaked a pretty substantial amount. If you are waiting until December to get it looked at you might want to verify it is safe to drive?

I checked to make sure engine oil wasn't leaking from the oil filter or drain plug and both were dry. I too had the same concern about running out of oil in the front diff and possibly causing damage. I opened a case with Ford corporate explaining that the shops were backed up and that I didn't want to be held liable for any damage.

 

[Dr3wDrop]

Check this thread.

Also, here is a couple pictures for the fill and drain plug on the front diff. Pull the fill plug and stick your finger in there to see if there is any oil.

 

[JasonTremor]

Just a note. With our 4wd system, the front driveshaft spins all the time regardless if in 2wd.

 

[Frenchy]

Do you use 4wd often? I am trying to figure out why the front diff would spring a leak.

Even if it waant used the front axle still spins in 2WD due the the hubs being 100% locked. There is not unpack feature for that(kinda nice when you think about it)

 

[CashSeeAO]

Hey, mine had the same oil leak at about 15000 mi. It turned out to be a cracked valve cover. My leak dripped down the back of the engine from the valve cover.

 

[Dereku]

Dealer replaced the pinion seal on mime around 20k miles. Looks identical to mine before I brought it in. I did check my fluid regularly and it was still full enough. But monitor it.

 

[grammat95]

Dealer replaced the pinion seal on mime around 20k miles. Looks identical to mine before I brought it in. I did check my fluid regularly and it was still full enough. But monitor it.

Thanks... I'm almost certain this is the issue. Can't believe they're failing with such low mileage.

 

[Frenchy]

Thanks... I'm almost certain this is the issue. Can't believe they're failing with such low mileage.

Had my truck with over 50K and never had the issue. It may just be a select few. Also this is why younhave a warranty

 

[dtech]

Thanks... I'm almost certain this is the issue. Can't believe they're failing with such low mileage.

Some words from Mr Farley and a new quality honcho at FoMoCo , Ford I believe also has had a lot of recalls :


“Quality is our No. 1 priority as a company, and Jim Baumbick is the right leader to deliver world-class quality and reliability at Ford,” CEO Jim Farley said in a statement.

Farley has complained about quality, warranty claims, recalls and problems with launching new vehicles since his appointment as chief executive two years ago.

At the company’s annual shareholders meeting in May, Farley said the problems are affecting Ford’s financial performance, but also causing pain for customers.

“We’ve made more progress on our launch quality and initial quality, you could see it in the surveys and our ramp-up of production,” Farley said at the meeting. “However, we are not satisfied at all with our quality performance, including our recalls and customer satisfaction efforts, which we need to quickly accelerate. ”

Sponsored