Bent axle or axle shaft?

[Frank]

Do you go to the casino ? Might as well start . My opinion has been wrong in the past , but I do believe with all these comments , youd want to at least take a peek or just change the seals a bee done with it. FjR68

[Frank]

Sorry I didnt need to say it that way . FjR68

[MDSRACING398]

The drip usually stops when the oil level gets below the seals.

[Nonestar]

Thanks, everyone--I appreciate all the feedback.

Last weekend I changed the front differential gear oil (it wasn't empty) and filled to proper capacity; there has been no sign of additional leakage. My current theory is that by lifting by the pumpkin, I temporarily broke the seal during which time some gear oil leaked into the axle shaft. The leaks were small and intermittent over the subsequent six months, likely because the vehicle was only occasionally parked cambered with one from wheel higher. The oil that seeped past the seal was finite and eventually exhausted.

My next test is to park the vehicle on a slope and see if there is more leaking. If there is, I will assume that the seal(s) needs to be replaced.

[Marky]

I like the Lubelocker reusable gaskets. I've hit the diffs with regular seals and caused them to leak. It's never happened with a lubelocker gasket.

[Hank]

I'll second LubeLockers. Also reusable, so drain and fill as often as you'd like.

[Nonestar]

Yes, used a LubeLocker gasket (on both housings!)

[Nonestar]

The leak has returned. It only starts when the vehicle is parked at an angle, but I’m no conceding that I need to replace the axle seal. I’m not sure when I’ll get around to it; might wait for a wrenchfest I catch wind of.

It’s not really urgent because the angle that causes a leak is somewhat severe and I can park level. But I want to fix it in the next year or two.

Sigh