i tried to create a new post in a more appropriate place here, but its not working....

i have a 2007 four wheel drive and was notified recently by the dealership that i needa replace the front left axle seal. --driver side. there is a leak there, but no drips or puddle on driveway. i have an official ford worshop manual, with detailed instructions on replacing the seal, but i seen nowhere anything about first draining the differential.

when i remove the driver side axle, do i need to worry about oil leaking out of the hole the axle goes into? the instructions read nothing about draining first. so i just thot id ask. thank you. it seems simple enough without needing to drain. --what should i do?

 

You should be able to do it sitting level, but you need to raise that side up enough to get the tire off to work on it, so no problem.

 

yes, i know about raising it, but just wondering here if i need to drain the oil from the differential. will the oil come falling out when i remove the left side axle?

 

No need to drain it.

 

oh okay. thank you. we'll see how it goes

 

i got the new seal replaced. exact same part number. and it was a bitch to put in. i used socket extensions and larger sockets. even a wood pole. a few smart taps of a hammer and it got set nicely. and still after some driving, no leaks yet.

i had been curious if the axle would pull through the hole the hub sits in with its three bolts, and surprisingly enough, it did pull through. and with no damage or cuts to the boots either. no need to remove the pinch bolt from the control arm. --better i think to remove the hub, than bother with the control arm...... its all done and put together and drives just fine. but if done carefully the axle can be pulled through the hole the hub installs into. no need to remove that pinch bolt. :)