Rear axle leaking

[puckdodger]

Jim can you have someone drive your truck slow (maybe in a parking lot) and you could walk beside it to see if you can hear where it's coming from? At least you might be able to pin point the area and get it back home and look from there.

Thanks Dave. I found this in the service manual and it pretty much describes my truck:

Scraping noise – a continuous low pitched noise starting at low speed l Worn or damaged pinion bearings l INSPECT and INSTALL new pinion bearings as necessary. REFER to: Drive Pinion Front Bearing (205-02 Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Vehicles With: Dana M220, Removal and Installation).

I hope the level kit isn't the culprit?

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[AzScorpion]

Thanks Dave. I found this in the service manual and it pretty much describes my truck:

Scraping noise – a continuous low pitched noise starting at low speed l Worn or damaged pinion bearings l INSPECT and INSTALL new pinion bearings as necessary. REFER to: Drive Pinion Front Bearing (205-02 Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Vehicles With: Dana M220, Removal and Installation).

I hope the level kit isn't the culprit?

I know many here have checked and changed their fluid with under 5,000 miles on theirs and have said it was really nasty in there. Fluid was black and lots of metal shavings. I've had my level on for just over 20,000 miles and it's been fine. If I'm thinking correctly this morning you're only raising the suspension and not changing the angle of the driveshaft. I've been meaning to do this myself and keep forgetting but this a great reminder. Hopefully you have a good dealer near you and they'll warranty it for you. Good luck Jim and let us know what happens.

 

[puckdodger]

I know many here have checked and changed their fluid with under 5,000 miles on theirs and have said it was really nasty in there. Fluid was black and lots of metal shavings. I've had my level on for just over 20,000 miles and it's been fine. If I'm thinking correctly this morning you're only raising the suspension and not changing the angle of the driveshaft. I've been meaning to do this myself and keep forgetting but this a great reminder. Hopefully you have a good dealer near you and they'll warranty it for you. Good luck Jim and let us know what happens.

I think a fluid change is in order, doesn't look too tough. I've been reading some horror stories about the fluids being chock full of nastiness. And I'll call the dealer and see what they say before blowing a whole day off waiting around there.

 

[Fawnbuster]

Jim can you have someone drive your truck slow (maybe in a parking lot) and you could walk beside it to see if you can hear where it's coming from? At least you might be able to pin point the area and get it back home and look from there.

I put a flex cuff on a coworkers drive shaft on his jeep ( it's a giant heavy zip tie) and he was having someone walk beside him listening lol the faster he went the more it banged on his floorbard, after they found it I heard my name in vain hahaha. He didn't mess with my car anymore after that one.

 

[Swu_2]

My '19 Ranger 27k miles is leaking from the rear axle seal too, they found it during an oil change and said there was no fluid left in the differential ? can't believe I didn't notice anything. Seems like some folks kept driving with the leak, keeping fluid topped off. It is unlikely the dealer can fix it before our vacation, am I crazy to tow a 2500 lb trailer with this ongoing problem?

 

[CO2Ranger]

My '19 Ranger 27k miles is leaking from the rear axle seal too, they found it during an oil change and said there was no fluid left in the differential ? can't believe I didn't notice anything. Seems like some folks kept driving with the leak, keeping fluid topped off. It is unlikely the dealer can fix it before our vacation, am I crazy to tow a 2500 lb trailer with this ongoing problem?

Yes? Recipe for disaster.

 

[t4thfavor]

My '19 Ranger 27k miles is leaking from the rear axle seal too, they found it during an oil change and said there was no fluid left in the differential ? can't believe I didn't notice anything. Seems like some folks kept driving with the leak, keeping fluid topped off. It is unlikely the dealer can fix it before our vacation, am I crazy to tow a 2500 lb trailer with this ongoing problem?

Depends how long it was empty, and if it was dry. If it was dry, it's probably already DOA. If it still had "some" oil in it, it's likely OK. If you keep it topped up you'll be fine, but you should definitely check it every few hundred miles to see how much it's down.

Thankfully, it's easy to fill under the truck and all you'll need is a 3/8" rachet, 3" extension, and the cheap pump for the gear lube bottle so you don't have to do crazy yoga moves to get it to pour into the hole.

 

[VegasRanger]

My '19 Ranger 27k miles is leaking from the rear axle seal too, they found it during an oil change and said there was no fluid left in the differential ? can't believe I didn't notice anything. Seems like some folks kept driving with the leak, keeping fluid topped off. It is unlikely the dealer can fix it before our vacation, am I crazy to tow a 2500 lb trailer with this ongoing problem?

Without any fluid?

 

[HomeyC]

Add me to the list. Leaking from the drivers side. 2020 Lariat 13,000 miles.

 

[Justin says...]

Has this happened with any 2022 models? Is it just the '19-'21's? Will check my truck when I get home from work.

 

[crazyrazor21]

Thanks Dave. I found this in the service manual and it pretty much describes my truck:

Scraping noise – a continuous low pitched noise starting at low speed l Worn or damaged pinion bearings l INSPECT and INSTALL new pinion bearings as necessary. REFER to: Drive Pinion Front Bearing (205-02 Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Vehicles With: Dana M220, Removal and Installation).

I hope the level kit isn't the culprit?

I know I'm coming in late here,but get your trucks rear end looked at. Mine blew up at 32k miles. Needed a complete replacement and I was hearing the same noise you are.

 

[puckdodger]

I know I'm coming in late here,but get your trucks rear end looked at. Mine blew up at 32k miles. Needed a complete replacement and I was hearing the same noise you are.

Thanks. The problem turned out to be the center bearing on the driveshaft. Crazy but they replaced the whole shaft instead of the failed bearing. Took care of the problem and no further issues.

 

[Nautiquer]

I discovered a rear axle leak while replacing the rear brake rotors and pads. It’s on the passenger side. I have a 2019 Ranger XLT with the FX4 package. I have 80k miles. No noise from the rear axle. Leak is minor. I noticed a buildup of dirt and gear oil on the inside of the wheel and the backing plate. Dealer wanted $1200 to replace axle assembly. Found the part for $245.
Has anyone replaced the axle themselves? Seems like it’s not too difficult.

 

[t4thfavor]

I discovered a rear axle leak while replacing the rear brake rotors and pads. It’s on the passenger side. I have a 2019 Ranger XLT with the FX4 package. I have 80k miles. No noise from the rear axle. Leak is minor. I noticed a buildup of dirt and gear oil on the inside of the wheel and the backing plate. Dealer wanted $1200 to replace axle assembly. Found the part for $245.
Has anyone replaced the axle themselves? Seems like it’s not too difficult.

I wanted the dealer to replace the whole assembly for me because it had like 2k miles and it was factory damaged according to them. Once the axle shaft came in after 6 months, it only took them a few hours total to replace it. Allegedly they replace the whole shaft because the seal is integrated…

 

[BiilyJones]

Well add my 21 to the leaking rear axle list. Between it and the 10 speed problems, I quit. Traded it on a 22 edge st. Best of luck to all of you.

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