Rear end leak

[delta0014]

I am leaking fluid out of my rear end where the passenger side CV axle goes in.

It's spraying it when I drive on the underside, then theres a puddle when I park. Doesn't leak anything once it's parked.

I can pull on the CV boot and it moves about a 1/4 inch or so in and out. Should it do that or is it just not seated properly in it? Or anyone know what would cause the leak?

Thanks

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=130230&d=1592604612

[toadster]

that should be a bit tighter for sure, did you feel/hear "the click" when you first installed it?

I used a mallet to whack mine pretty good and the tone when it hit home was noticeably different

[delta0014]

that should be a bit tighter for sure, did you feel/hear "the click" when you first installed it?

I used a mallet to whack mine pretty good and the tone when it hit home was noticeably different

Honestly, not quite sure. Thought when I installed them they were pretty tight. Would that cause the leak? Wonder if I can just pound it in and it'd stop it or if I should look at replacing a seal or something.

[edwardb]

X2 doesn't look seated. I'm guessing the side that doesn't leak has a tighter gap there? They should be the same. Roughly 1/8-inch gap as I recall.

[delta0014]

Thanks guys,

I took the center nut off, whacked it with a rubber mallet and it seemed to seat much better. Re-torqued the center nut and took it for a spin around the block. All dry as of now, but I’ll take it on a longer drive this weekend.

[toadster]

Sounds good - you may want to be sure the nut is on solid - i think theyre 1 time use, theyre only ~$10-13 at local auto stores ����

[Railroad]

Check your gear lube level.

[delta0014]

Car is running great, and haven't had any problems driving except this rear end leak......

Just looking for any advice or something I'm missing, or something I need to make sure I'm doing when I reinstall it.

This is the 3rd time I've messed around with this.

Picture of the good side, hasn't leaked at all, still has body dust on it from the body shop. Gap between the axle and rear end are the same as the other side.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=133676&d=1597592166


This side keeps leaking. First time I don't think the axle was seated properly, was a lot of play in it.
2nd time it started spraying everywhere, I took the axle out again and the seal came with it.
Put it back together and now the seal is popping out again.
I plan on trying to get the part number and just ordering another seal and see what happens.
There doesn't seem to be any movement with the axle in and out of the rear end, seems tight. The gap is about the same on both sides, looks bigger in the pictures, it's maybe 1/4 inch at most, but it is a little over the 1/8 inch that the manual states.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=133677&d=1597592175



https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=133678&d=1597592181
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=133679&d=1597592196
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=133680&d=1597592210

[Just puttering]

Just to state the obvious, the seal should not come out with the axle!
It should need to be tapped in with a hammer. They make seal drivers so you dont damage the seal when installing them. They should be tight enough that removing it ruins it and replacing is always a good idea.

When you install the new one, it should be very snug when trying to install it!

A word of caution, yes you can use a hammer but the risk of damage to the seal is great. See if your auto parts store has a loaner seal driver, if not, try a large socket or maybe a pipe fitting,

[JohnK]

Those axles still didn't look fully seated to me, which is probably why one was still leaking. When I installed mine I pushed them in as hard as I could and was convinced they were seated. When I measured them they looked like yours. I took a wooden block and a 3 lb. minisledge and was able to drive them in another 1/8" or so to their fully seated position. It took a few hits, but as toadster said, you'll feel it when it finally seats.

[Hoooper]

Neither axle looks seated. Not sure why only the 1 is leaking, but they both dont look in far enough. You should be looking for 1/8" gap or so, that looks more like 1/2".