1994 Chevy Silverado front axle leak

Tiny
BIGSHAN1
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 158,000 MILES
Just saw a small leak on my front axle shaft close to the CV. I'd like to do this myself, so if you can tell me what seal I'll be replacing and how to do it, I'd much appreciate it.

Shannon

This photo is taken looking at the front of my truck.


http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/336585_DSCN0968_1.jpg

Thursday, March 26th, 2009 AT 4:44 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Any leaks in the steering gear above it? Look at the sector shaft seal. Only grease inside the cv-joints, and boot would be split to allow grease to escape.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_K1500_1.jpg


On the right side it could be the seal, here's how!
RIGHT AXLE TUBE & INNER AXLE SHAFT Removal 1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Raise and support vehicle. Remove skid plate (if equipped). Remove wheel. Remove stabilizer bar from both lower control arms. DO NOT mix left and right stabilizer bar components. 2. Disconnect right outer tie rod end from steering knuckle using Steering Linkage Puller (J-24319-01 ). Wire right outer tie rod linkage aside. 3. Remove stub axle shaft flange bolts from inner axle shaft flange. Turn right wheel outward to loosen stub axle shaft from inner axle shaft flange. Push stub axle shaft toward front of vehicle and wire aside. 4. Disconnect harness connectors for indicator light switch and actuator solenoid at right axle tube. Place drain pan under drive axle. Remove drain plug to drain lubricant. Remove bolts retaining axle tube to right frame. 5. Remove bolts attaching axle tube to axle carrier. Remove axle tube by pulling away from axle carrier to clear shift shaft. While pulling axle tube away, note shifter fork spring location to keep from losing it off end of shifter shaft when removing axle tube. Ensure that open end of tube is pointed upward. Installation 1. If internal carrier components have been changed, see reassembly steps 4) through 9) of RIGHT AXLE TUBE ASSEMBLY under OVERHAUL. If internal carrier components have NOT been changed, clean mating surfaces thoroughly to remove any oil residue. Ensure shift shaft spring is in position. 2. Apply sealant (GM 1052942 or Loctite 518 ) to carrier sealing surfaces. Install axle tube to carrier housing. Install 6 axle tube retaining bolts and tighten to 30 ft. lbs. (41 N.m). Connect stub shaft to inner shaft flange and install 6 bolts. Using a criss-cross pattern, tighten bolts evenly to 59 ft. lbs. (80 N.m). 3. Raise axle tube and install frame-to-tube mounting bolts. On K15/25, tighten nuts to 75 ft. lbs. (102 N.m). On K35, tighten nuts to 106 ft. lbs. (144 N.m). Install tie rod end to steering knuckle. Tighten tie rod nut to 35 ft. lbs (47 N.m). 4. Install stabilizer bar, link, nuts and bolts. Tighten stabilizer bracket-to-frame bolts to 24 ft. lbs. (33 N.m). Tighten stabilizer bar-to-lower control arm nut to 13 ft. lbs. (18 N.m). 5. Reconnect harness connectors for indicator light switch and actuator solenoid at right axle tube. Install differential carrier drain plug, and tighten it to 24 ft. lbs. (33 N.m). Remove differential carrier filler plug and fill drive axle to hole level with SAE 80W-90 GL5 gear lubricant. Tighten fill plug to 24 ft. lbs. (33 N.m). To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Recheck gear oil when vehicle is on level ground. Fig. 4: Exploded View Of Front Axle Assembly (K15/25 Series) Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Fig. 5: Exploded View Of Front Axle Assembly (K35 Series) Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Page 1 of 1 DRIVE AXLE - FRONT -1994 Chevrolet Pickup K1500 3/27/2009 src="https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_k1500Right_1.jpg" alt="https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_k1500Right_1.jpg" />

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Friday, March 27th, 2009 AT 7:59 AM
Tiny
BIGSHAN1
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I was told the pitman seal has a slight leak.
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Friday, March 27th, 2009 AT 12:40 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
If this picture is from the left side, it's right under the seal, On Chevy that's what they call it, it's shown in this diagram. I remove the nut pull the pitman arm, using a pitman arm puller, put a bucket under it, have a friend start it real quick and turn the wheel, this will blow out the sea and spacers, and then shut it off, replace the seal with the ones from the kit, and you are good to go! Dont forget the snap ring!


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_box_1.jpg

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+4
Saturday, March 28th, 2009 AT 5:21 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Answer to PM:
Check the color of your power steering fluid, some look like oil, not red like tranny fluid, what color drips out of the pitman shaft?
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Saturday, March 28th, 2009 AT 6:36 PM
Tiny
BIGSHAN1
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I recently put in a clear (more like the color of motor oil) and syphoned out the red fluid. Just to make sure we're on the same page. The fluid thats leaking off the axle is located on the passenger side of my truck. The fluid is almost gray. I looks like gear oil.
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Saturday, March 28th, 2009 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
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If any oil is gray, it's mixing with water. You may end up pulling that axle, but pull the plug on the diff first, what color is the oil? If gray, water is migrating into it. Need to figure that out too. If fluid color is OK check the level, it should be level with the bottom of the plug hole. My Friday post covered the R&R of the right(Passenger side) axle.
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Saturday, March 28th, 2009 AT 7:22 PM
Tiny
BIGSHAN1
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Okay, just pulled the fill plug. It's still has plenty of diff fluid. The color is clear with a hint of yellow. No gray. I checked the fluid coming off the axle and due to the dirt/grease build up, who knows what color it really is.
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Saturday, March 28th, 2009 AT 7:46 PM

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