i noticed a week or so ago when i had it up on the lift doing the brakes i noticed my axle was leaking at the diff in the front drivers side. I was told its of no concern but i don't like things leaking or oozing here's a pic. i don't know if its the axle seal or not

 

It looks like that may be the pinion seal leaking. I noticed this on my truck and now I check the fluid level of the axle every oil change and haven't noticed a loss of gear oil. A small amount of gear oil can make one heck of a mess. I hope to fix mine when the weather is a bit warmer.

 

Pinion seal. Common problem.

 

That pic is not a pinion leak, it's your seal where the CV goes into the diff.

If it's not dripping on the ground, I would not worry too much about it. Both my Rangers and Ex plow truck leak a little, but it's not worth tearing into it before it drips.
That side is relatively easy to do, but best to drop the whole diff and do both when the time comes.

 

great. thanks guys. i know theres a how to on the rear is it the same for the front?

 

As Carl said, it's the axle shaft seal. I'd replace it if it was mine.

 

it is dripping

 

is it like the rear axle seals or harder. the rears where easy

 

Oh I see it now. Yeah right where it connects. That sucks.

Should have bought a 2WD :P

 

I have found the drivers side can be done while installed, but if the pass is also leaking take out the whole diff.
There is not enough clearance to do the pass side well, I've had luck once but the other time it leaked b/c I could not get a straight shot at installing the seal with a driver.

 

Same idea as rears, but they have a lip that sticks out. Makes it a little tougher as you don't want to tear the lip, but it's the same process as the rears.

 

im looking all in shop key and alldata and i cant find anything on how do do this

 

I know there is a good how to for removing the front diff on here somewhere, you can actually take apart one side (knickle and CV) then pull the diff out while leaving the CV in the other side. Diff is held by 3 bolts, it's actually an easy task.
Search for it, not sure who it was but it was on here.

 

here is a link to a good write up about removing the front diff.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...85#post1919785

 

THANKS for the link it really helped. i just finished started at noon saturday and i just finished at 2:45am. i had a few complications i snapped one of the bolts on the mount and had to walk a mile to the ford dealer and back. i also got 2 new hubs while i was there. other than the bolt snapping it went smooth. i also did spicer u-joints front and rear and lubed the yoke on the rear

 

i have a question. is there anything keeping those axle shafts in place like the rear has c-clips? or is it the sideways pressure from the spindles pushing the axles into the differential. does what i am asking making sense to everyone?

 

Yes, there is a retaining clip, but not like a C clip. You just pop the shafts off, no need to open up the diff.
The shafts are held in by the unit bearing and the diff, no way they can fall out unless something breaks.

 

ok. thanks.