Rear axle leakage!

[rogergodding]

So I thought that my rear wheel brake cylinders were leaking, turns out that grease is leaking into the brake drums from the axles on both sides. Looking for a good shop in the DFW area to rebuild the rear end and put a posi unit in it. Any suggestions would be great! Also, I thought it was the brakes because my pedal has been slowly going to the floor while sitting at red lights etc..... Master cylinder??

[68C15]

the pedal dropping has me concerned. pull back the boots on the wheel cylinders to see if fluid is leaking past the cups. should be dry. is the back of master/front of booster wet? (leaking master)

[rogergodding]

Originally Posted by 68C15

the pedal dropping has me concerned. pull back the boots on the wheel cylinders to see if fluid is leaking past the cups. should be dry. is the back of master/front of booster wet? (leaking master)

did that on the left side, cleaned it up and it does not seem to be the culprit, brake fluid level has not changed either..... no evidence of leak at master...

[Jeffs70]

are you sure thats not just isnt a bunch of old dirt and grease buildup from previously and the wheel cylinders are not the issue here? would be best to check those out first, I have never heard of grease leaking that far out before and have never seen that much grease in a rear end any how. also could be brake dust and the cylinders fluid found that dust and clinged to it. I wouldn't go through all the troubles of making a shop rebuild something that isnt really the issue unless your for certain.

[rogergodding]

Originally Posted by Jeffs70

are you sure thats not just isnt a bunch of old dirt and grease buildup from previously and the wheel cylinders are not the issue here? would be best to check those out first, I have never heard of grease leaking that far out before and have never seen that much grease in a rear end any how. also could be brake dust and the cylinders fluid found that dust and clinged to it. I wouldn't go through all the troubles of making a shop rebuild something that isnt really the issue unless your for certain.

well, that stuff is really thick and smells like grease. As for previous grease and build up of dirt.... I put this rear end on this truck about 12 yrs ago, with the shoes and wheel cylinders in the pic, it was all clean back then. The rear end was of course used but not rebuilt.....

[Stocker]

Braking issues aside -- brakes are always a priority -- if the axle seals are leaking, those are cheap & easy to replace.
Unless you're planning on having a shop install a posi anyway...

[68C15]

if a full visual inspection shows no sign of brake fluid leaks the next step is to test the master. I do this by removing the lines and installing plugs right there at the master. bleed them and retest.
a master can have leakage past the rear cup (which is actually at the front of master) and back up into the reservoir.

[w314speed]

68C15 is right on the brakes. The mastercylinder is by-passing internally and exiting back into the reservoir. The axle seals are leaking, but the seal surface on the axle is probably grooved. A new seal will slow it down, but you may need new axles.

[msgross]

might be a good time to go rear discs if you are going to have the axle rebuilt anyway... you'll get a new MC for that anyway....

do it once and be happy (and safe) forever...

[rockc]

I would guess that it is a seal. And more than likely the bearing is out too.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Replace the axle seals & clean up the mess. Replace the master cyl. If you can change a rear end you can do these.

[rogergodding]

Originally Posted by Stocker

Braking issues aside -- brakes are always a priority -- if the axle seals are leaking, those are cheap & easy to replace.
Unless you're planning on having a shop install a posi anyway...

Been thinking about swapping my open diff gears out for a posi unit myself instead of taking it to a shop. Anyone here done this? What unit, cost etc.....

[msgross]

lots of options... eaton posi is 300-400... I wouldn't do it myself though...