axle tube leak

[chris71]

Guys, i am pretty sure i have a leak on the passenger side of my rear diff. where the axle tube meets the central housing, not a huge leak, just a drop here and there, i will double check to make sure it isnt the fill hole leaking down and around. can this be welded to stop the leak?, i am only a beginner welder and am not sure if you can weld steel to cast iron? the only other things i can think of is A - get new housing or B - clean the joint, use some silicone or gasket maker on the outside of the joint, and go over it with a few coats of paint to help stop the leak. the rear is a 3:08 posi, that i will be taking in to get rebuilt soon, just wondering if this can be fixed or should i get a new housing. the tube does not appear to be seperating from the housing.
Thanks in advance.

[cdowns]

its not unusual to get a leak there// it can be welded some guys use stuff like jb weld forget the sillycone//if you're taking it in for rebuild see if they'll do up both tubes for you

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Have you checked to make sure the vent is open? A plugged vent will cause pressure to build up in the differential and cause lube to be pushed out.

As suggested when the other work is done have both tubes welded up.

Jim

[Richard H.]

There is a nickle rod you can get to do this , but I would not do it until the housing is empty and clean.

[BlueJeep]

I agree with the vent and checking to see if other things are leaking as stated above, but I would then check to see if the housing is bent....causing it to leak. On a C-clip axle it isn't hard to pull the shafts and then "eyeball" down the housing. When axle tubes are pressed into the center section they have a bead of silicone in them to seal them up, and it's possible that this has deteriorated. Rather than welding it up on the outside, I'd pull the carrier, clean it really good with brake cleaner, and then silicone it on the inside where the tube meets the center section.

[chris71]

yeah i cleaned the vent about a year ago, i will double check and make sure that nothing has clogged it since. thanks for the info guys.

[fast_dev]

i just had mine welded for strength for drag racing and i searched around alot on how to do it and what to use. everything i saw from the average hot rod builder said to use a nickel rod, then i got on the miller welders website and in their FAQ section a guy asked about welding the tubes on a mustang, they told him to use a stainless rod. that's what i had mine done with, came out great.