Leaky axle seal?

Hey everyone, so I just noticed a leak near my axle seal / drum brakes. Not sure what’s happening or even how to approach the issue. If it’s axle seal leak what fluid do I need to add for the loss of fluids already, and how do I go about checking the levels? Thanks in advance everyone and I appreciate the forum for all your help and tips!

 

Welcome to TW.
This should give you an idea.... are sure it's not a wheel cylinder? Whatever it is I would just fix it

https://youtu.be/3IIybkxm5OQ

 

Looks like mine did when the axle seal took a dump. I had the seal replaced and the axle bearing replaced ($80 for a Timken) at the same time.

You'll need to replace the brake shoes on that side because with that much oil on the backing plate, the shoes will be soaked beyond use.

Make sure you use a reliable mechanic who's done this before in order to assure that the new bearing is properly placed.

 

How's it smell and how's your brake fluid level? It almost looks like brake fluid rather than gear oil. Like mentioned above it could be that the drum brake cyl failed. I just replaced one that was leaking

 

You'll be able to tell for sure which fluid when you take off the drum and look at brake hardware.

 

To me the smell of gear oil and brake fluid do not even come close to each other.

I think brake problems would be noticed in the pedal .

Gear oil leak first thing make sure the axle vent is free and clear the building pressure will push out gear oil the easiest place. Spend all that money and the first time things get warm it happens again.

good luck!

 

First step is smell brake fluid then smell what has leaked out - if not pull diff plug and smell really different then you will know.
To check level in rear diff unscrew the upper big plug (not one on bottom) and insert your finger and see if any gear oil in there should be full up to bottom of that plug hole.
To check brake fluid open hood and look at the master cylinder and half of it should be low (2 sections to it).
As others said you have to at least pull the rear drum off and look and replace. Rear diff vent is the little like 1" cylinder shaped thing on top of the rear diff. Dorman sells replacements like $5 all auto stores.
What you do to that side I would do to other also unless its a cheap beater and local only.