Driver Axle Leak.

[MeaMurano]

I had my driver side CV boot changed and few days later the seal was leaking. This was about three weeks ago. A few days later after the boot changs I noticed a leak on that side. It was the axle seal. Had it replaced two weeks ago.

A week passes and leak is back. I keep wondering where the oil is leaking from. I void the seal as a possible leak point cause i just changed it. But I clean the place for few days and leak comes back from same place.

So today I took it in for replacing the seal. They took over an hour to nicely slowly replacE it. I drive a 100 miles, reach home and look down under and IT'S BACK.

WHAT IS WRONG HERE????

[Pilgrim]

Good question!

Possibilities which occur to me:

- Rough spot/chip/damage on the axle surface which contacts the seal, compromising its ability to seal.

- Improper seal installation. I don't know how tricky those are to install, but I am aware there is a specific tool Nissan recommends. Usually seals can be installed without using special tools, but it requires extra care and time to do so without distorting the seal. A distorted or damaged seal won't do its job.

- Something wrong with the axle (such as a CV joint that's not in proper alignment) which is causing the axle to oscillate enough that the seal can't do its job.

My general rule with a problem of unknown cause is to figure out the simplest thing which could cause it and to look there first. Most of the time, it's the simple explanation that's right.

[nitely]

Did your mechanic just replaced the boot of the cv joint? Or did he replaced the entire axle? An aftermarket axle may not seal tightly with the oem seal is a possibility. How strong is the leak?

That new axle seal is very easy to mess up and cause a slow leak. It can happen during the seal installation--denting/bending it a little bit. Or when your are inserting back the axle to the cvt. Even the pros makes this mistake and have to redo it. Mostly because they rush things.

I have replaced my driver side axle seal early in the year and for a few days, I thought I did it wrong and had a slow leak. However, after several weeks of monitoring, everything seemed to just have stopped and no more leak. I had that leak close to 2 years and I think it was just the left over oil that has sprayed all over the area. That or the new seal finally settled on the axle after several miles and just stopped leaking. Anyways, mine is high and dry now.

My guess is your mechanic has to redo that seal since you paid him to do it. Free of charge. Should be under warranty. Do you see if the cv housing right beside the cvt is wet with oil? If yes, it is the seal and they just have to do it again. Its possible they have scratched the mating surface. Possible remedy would be putting some rtv on it.

[MeaMurano]

Nitely: They only replaced the boots not the whole axle. I will check that CV area in the morning for signs of oil on them.


They did it nice and slowly. I just went down and there was oil in that area on the CVT case area. I cleaned it up, but I think that was not a good idea as I dont have anything to show them now!

Its a good garage and will do it for free they told me to come tomorrow to check for leaks etc. But I am worried cuase its the second time I am having it done.

I read in "sweating seal" search that they do seal better with ageing?? RTV seems like a good idea as well --- BUT RTV ON AROTATING SURFACE?

[nitely]

Actually, the axle seal can leak in 2 places. On the cvt housing itself where the seal sits on--where the rtv can be spread on--if there is a deep enough scratch/gouge. And on the hole where the axle goes in--there is a spring that hugs the rotating axle --which can be damaged easily.--there should grease on the lip before inserting the axle.--oem comes with it.

I think the term "sweating" is just short for a very slow acceptable leak. But leak none-the-less. For me its either dry or wet. If wet then there is a leak.

All they have to do to see if there is a leak is to touch the gap in between the cvt housing and the cv housing. IF you actually compare a dry cv axle housing--the one on your right side--you can tell the difference even if you wipe dry the left one.

[MeaMurano]

Thanks Nitely: I'll look into it in the morning. I have to drive a lot this week so if its still spewing I'll have it replaced again.

[MeaMurano]

Yes a bad seal it was.

Fixed now for four days. For anyone trying this seal replacement in the future, a couple of words of advice: GO SLOW.