Advice on a leaking rear axel seal...

So Ive been keeping an eye on my tire pressure lately because I've noticed a slow leek on one of my tires, and well I was checking my rear passenger side I noticed a bunch of oil all over the place... it doesn't look as bad as some of the "axel seal leaking" threads that I've found on here but it is clearly leaking gear oil. My question is How effective would just replacing the inner seal and o ring be? And also should the brake shoes get replaced as well? Any one have experience/luck with half assing the job (only replacing inner seal and o ring)??

 

Just do it right the first time and save yourself another headache in the future. They are just axle seals.

 

Thanks for the quick response, "Just do it right" turns a $50 job into a $350.00 job.. I would prefer to do it right I'm just a little more broke than usual right now, and I need my truck to bring home the bacon. How long would you expect a temporary fix to hold for? VS how long can I drive on a leaking axel??

 

$ 158.30 and free shipping for bearings and seals. About $13-14 each if you do the seals alone. New set of shoes $30.00. Seems like you could fix it right for around $60.00. Not trying to be a dick but the amount of time you spend trying to rig something half-assed you could be done with your truck being right and safe for you and everyone else on the road.

 

There is no such thing as a temporary fix. You replace the seal...and that's it.

You can continue to drive with it leaking - You NEED to check the diff oil level REGULARLY and top off when needed to keep the oil level full. If you don't check it regularly and keep it filled - you will cause diff failure which will cost BIG $$$$.

If you change the seals - check your diff breather and make sure its not clogged. A clogged diff breather could blow out the seals.

 

When I said doing a half assed job I meant just replacing the inner oil seal and o ring, and not bothering with replacing the bearings/retainers/skid control rotor/ect. I did not mean that I wanted to bust the duck tape and bubble gum out for janky farmer fix. Thanks for the responses, I need to run to the dealer now so I can make it to work tomorrow.

 

Did you do the rear diff breather mod? If no did you go through muddy water? Reason I ask is my diff was leaking and it was because the breather was clogged with mud. That was it lol.

 

I also had a rear axel seal leaking, its not bad to change,