B4000 V6-4.0L SOHC (2005)
Repair if necessary.
Make sure the axle lubricant it, at the proper level.
AXLE VENT
Note:
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If the vent cannot be cleared, it must be replaced.
A plugged vent, will cause excessive seal lip wear due to internal pressure buildup. If a leak occurs, check the vent. Make sure the vent hose is not
kinked. Remove the hose from the vent nipple and clear the hose of any foreign material. While the hose is removed, pass a length of mechanics wire
or a small diameter Allen wrench in and out of the vent to clean it. Connect the hose when done.
AXLE DRIVE PINION SEAL
Leaks at the axle drive pinion oil seal originate for the following reasons:
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Seal was not properly installed.
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Poor quality seal journal surface.
Any damage to the seal bore (dings, dents, gouges, or other imperfections) will distort the seal casing and allow leakage past the outer edge of the axle
drive pinion seal. The axle drive pinion seal can be torn, cut, or gouged if it is not installed carefully. The spring that holds the axle drive pinion seal
against the companion flange may be knocked out and allow leakage past the lip.
The rubber lips can occasionally become hard (like plastic) with cracks at the oil lip contact point. The contact point on the companion flange may
blacken, indicating excessive heat. Marks, nicks, gouges, or rough surface texture on the seal journal of the companion flange will also cause leaks.
Axle drive pinion seal wear 1.27 mm (0.050 inch) or greater is considered excessive.
The companion flange must be replaced if any of these conditions exist.
Metal chips or sand trapped at the sealing lip may also cause oil leaks. This can cause a wear groove on the companion flange and heavy pinion seal
wear.
When a seal leak occurs, replace the seal and check the vent and the vent hose to make sure they are clean and free of debris.
DRIVE PINION NUT
Caution:
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Be sure to follow the correct procedure for setting the bearing preload when the nut is installed.
On some high-mileage units, oil may leak past the threads of the pinion nut. This condition can be corrected by removing the nut and applying sealant
on the threads and nut face.
AXLE SHAFT SEALS
Axle shaft oil seals are susceptible to the same kinds of damage as axle drive pinion seals if improperly installed. The seal bore must be clean and the
lip handled carefully to avoid cutting or tearing it. The axle shaft journal surface must be free of nicks, gouges, and rough surface texture.
DIFFERENTIAL SEALS
For additional information on differential seals, see AXLE AND DIFFERENTIAL STRUCTURAL VIEW REAR (LIMITED SLIP), or See AXLE
AND DIFFERENTIAL STRUCTURAL VIEW REAR (STANDARD), for the rear axle or See AXLE AND DIFFERENTIAL FRONT
DISASSEMBLY / ASSEMBLY, for the front axle.
