Hello everyone,
I have replaced the driver side axle seal 4 times in the last 9 months. The first time I did it was in October of 2010 and it didn't leak for 15000 miles. Then it started leaking about 4 weeks ago and I've replaced it 3 times since then and it wont stop leaking. My transmission makes a slight humming noise that changes based on whether I'm touching the gas or not. I think this may be a bearing issue but wanted to be sure. Some ideas would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

Try grabbing the inner CV joint where it mates to the tranny and pushing it up and down. Doing that you're checking the amount of play in the Differential. You want to try and stabilize the CV joint and push up and down on the closest point of the CV joint to the trans. If there is a lot of play then that would explain the re-occuring axel seal leak. The CV joint is bouncing around and hitting the seal, eventually causing it to leak.

 

Axle Seals Leak ATF,
Roaring Noise, Erratic Shifts
If you are working on a ’99–02 3.2TL or ’01–02
3.2CL that has an ATF leak, erratic shifting, and/or
transmission noise, it could be caused by a worn
or damaged differential carrier bearing. If a
differential carrier bearing is damaged, the
transmission must be replaced.
• ATF leak - If the differential carrier moves
around (because of damaged bearings), the
axles can exceed the sealing range of the axle
seals and leak ATF.

This was in the July Service News