Can you help from this pics to tell what is leaking?

rlanda · **Posted:** Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:59 pm

Please somebody can help to determine what is the source of this leak and how could it be fixed?

It's a small leak, it doesn't even drop to the floor. The problem is that, when the drive shaft spins, the fluid is spread all around and then builds up an awful sludge everywhere. It's a yellow-ish oily fluid, it is not ATF nor motor oil for sure, it seems to be diff oil. I've read almost every post in this forum about pinion seal leaks, but as you can see from the pictures, the front diff assembly is completely dry. The only wet spots are those marked in red circles exactly between the companion flange and the front drive shaft. Thats why I'm asking, I really don't know where does that fluid come from.
In order to locate the spot, removed the skid plates and got the under body thoroughly cleaned. You may note that the boot is also clean and dry.
Here is the transmission skid just after removing it:

What do you think? Is it an easy one? Would it be very expensive to get it fixed?
As always, thanks in advance for your help.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Thu Oct 08, 2009 12:57 am

well, i'm not a KJ expert, but I would say it's time for a drive shaft. There is CV grease in that socket and it looks like once it heats up, it slings out. If it were this grease, that would explain why it's not dripping

hrogi · **Posted:** Thu Oct 08, 2009 12:28 pm

If it is the CV boot.
You can fix in 2 ways..

1. Remove the Clamps and get a new 1.
But with this fix it is best to remove the boot and clean the surface.
But this is almost impossible...

2. new parts all around.

some CV straps can be tighten...

rescu2000 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 08, 2009 5:32 pm

If it is the CV, and you have to replace it, another option is to have the end cut off and a universal welded in. There is a thread where a guy has had that done recently with very good results. (About $250)

kskj · **Posted:** Thu Oct 08, 2009 5:44 pm

When I took off my drive shaft it did have grease coming out the front but it was not very much. But the reason I replaced it was the rear boot was bad. So if it has alot of grease coming out it will probably start to wear out the front CV on the drive shaft. Does it make any noise ?

rescu2000 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 08, 2009 9:22 pm

There is axle greas on the mating surface of the CV axle and the Pinion. That is probably what you saw when you took it apart. And that could be what the person above is seeing. The CV grease would be further back, around the rubber boot. But I have never had that CV apart, so I can not say that it isn't possible for it to be leaking into the mating surface through a hole in the CV hub.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 08, 2009 9:30 pm

Looks mor elike a gear oil leak from the pinion nut that is hidden under all that mess.

kskj · **Posted:** Thu Oct 08, 2009 10:27 pm

The CV grease was actually coming out of the bolt holes after it was removed. But Troy works on this stuff alot more than I do so it must be gear oil.

rlanda · **Posted:** Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:47 pm

Thanks a lot for your ideas. I cleaned it again to see if it's coming from the CV boot, but I don't think so. I'll take it to the shop to get it fixed, if it's the seal I don't have the tools to replace it myself.

Can you help from this pics to tell what is leaking?

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