Paul Winey

Noticed the pinion seal leaking after a 2500 mile round trip recently. Was going to change it when changing gear lube and doing the heavy wheel cylinder change and then found a leaking axle seal. I think it may have started at the same time but can't be sure. There where no external signs of leakage on the axle seal. Anyway the question is, is there a vent on the axle tube for the Spicer (Dana) 70 rear ends on a 98,, 2500? I looked and couldn't find one. Is there another reason besides 106,000 miles or the long trip that would cause both to go bad? Any help appreciated.

Paul

apache

They used to run a vent hose with a spring loaded end cap up under the frame, it was quite obvious. Now, "I think" on yours it is the bolt that holds your brake line block to the axle that is the vent.Kinda like a banjo set up. If it was plugged it could cause pressure in there and seep past a seal but it would have to get pretty hot.

infidel

Most of the front and rear differential leaks I've found are due to overfull.
Follow the owners manual, 3/4'' below the bottom of the fill plug on the front, 1/2'' on the rear, level surface.
Most stop leaking when the correct level is reached on the their own but best to drain some out to avoid brake pad/shoe damage.

Paul Winey

Thanks for both replys. Apache, you're right. Talked with the NAPA guys and said same thing. I was looking right at it and thought they were all brake lines coming from the block on top of the axle tube. The one exiting straight up is the vent tube. Thanks Infidel, that may be the problem but odd that it showed up 20,000 miles later but I had a long distance 20 hour straight trip at 65 - 70 mph. After that the pinion seal started leaking. Can't say for sure when the axle seal let loose. Thanks again. Switching the wheel cylinders to the heavier ones allowed me new brakes, pinion seal and axle seal. Better now than somewhere out on the highway.

Paul