Wheel bearing cause axle seal leak?

Is it possible for a bad wheel bearing to cause a leaky axle seal in the front? I've heard of it being the cause for rear axle seal leaks, but not sure about the front.

Replaced front axle seal when did the ECGS bushing a few weeks ago but the new seal is leaking just like my old one was. Barely leaking, hasnt even dripped onto the ground just the slightest bit of gear oil coming down the diff.

Wheel bearing isnt terrible but has def been going out for a little while now. Now that I think of it wheel bearing and leak started around the same time (before I replaced the axle seal and did the ECGS bushing). Wondering if i should replace the axle seal again when I do the wheel bearing this weekend. Or save myself the effort if the new wheel bearing might possibly be the fix for the leak.

 

FWIW, I changed a CV out a couple months ago. I thought I had a small leak as well as it was seeping a bit. Turns out the diff was just really full and the breather valve in the engine bay was clogged up. The path of least resistance was the seal, apparently. Mine is no longer seeping after cleaning out the breather valve (Yes, I popped the fill hole plug and made sure the diff was still full).

 

I thought that could have been my problem too but I checked the breather it seemed fine. I pulled it off the hose in the engine bay and was able to breathe through it. I wiped it off and put it back

 

I'm gonna bet you either damaged the seal when you drove it in, or you drove it in too far. The wheel bearing has nothing to do with it, but when you're changing the bearing, you're 1/2 way there to the axle seal.

 

Unrelated. But if you're replacing the bearing you should proceed to change the seal while you're in there

 

The seal wasn't damaged on install. It was driven in till the second lip of the seal was flush with the edge of the diff (in other words, flush with the adjoining surface). Same as the factory seal that we removed. I was reading about a proper depth to install the seal but apparently thats just for the passenger side according to what ive read here on the forums.

 

OK, I don't know, but it's impossible to fix an axle leak by changing the wheel bearing. That would be like installing a new stereo and expecting it to fix a head gasket leak.

 

Lol, i hear ya. But i know a bad wheel bearing in the rear can cause leaky axle seals from the extra vibrations. Just wasnt sure if the same principle applies to CV axles. I just think its strange that i noticed the original seal started leaking around the same time as i noticed the wheel bearing. Thought it was the needle bearing causing it, swapped that and replaced the seal but the leak hasnt changed at all. Maybe just a coincidence idk

 

On the rear, the seal is right next to the bearing. A bad bearing allows the shaft to move vertically in the seal and cause a leak. On the front, the wheel bearing is separated from the diff by 2 CV joints. Huge difference.

Think of oh, I don't know, fat kids, teeter totter, mud puddles, ice cream, and Susie in a pink polka dot dress.

 

Lol ok. im just gonna replace the seal again and hope for the best

 

my passenger side has leaked quite of bit too. Made a mess on the skid plate. Looks like I may have overfilled the diff last time I changed its oil. I too removed the fill plug and it dripped oil for about 30 seconds. So I cleaned the area where it got messy and will see if it’s oily again in about a week. I’m hoping I just overfilled it though.

if it is leaking, parts are on their way now. Shouldn’t take me but a few hours after work to replace it, hopefully. She’s about to take me on a 1500 mile round trip this weekend.