DonAlex2

The last couple of days I've been hearing a vibration noise after going 40 MPH+ and did a oil change this morning and found the following leak from what I believe is the "left front drive axle." The leak seems to be very so as I luckily haven't seen any fluid on the driveway. I'm only dangerous enough to change my oil and other common things on my 2002 Honda Civic.

So I took the car to a nearby FireStone where a friend works and they advised that there is a lot of play in the Tranny case at the left front output shaft. Is this something I'll need to take to a transmission shop or is it just replacing the seal of the drive axle. Please see picture below and I appreciate any help or suggestions on what to do besides buying a new car.

Thanks for your time

Jdmbryan

Seems like the axle seal

DonAlex2

Thanks for the input. With there being some play in that area I wonder if there's something that needs to be adjusted in the tranny area?? Would a seal cause the vibration noise?

Jdmbryan

Actually this just happened to me, here's the problem , well what I think , the axle seal is bad so all the oil probably already came out if not most of it, mine took about a week , so with no oil in the trans it will start making like a whining noise and the axle will vibrate due to no oil and the seal getting dried up, so what you need to do is take the axle out , buy a new axle seal , take old one out put new one in , all you need is a flathead screwdriver to pop it out, put the axle back in , put everything back together, put the oil, and you should be just good to go.

Jdmbryan

okay so now im having the same problem all over again, its leaking from the same spot as yours and i just changed the axle seal! im thinking theyre might be a crack or somethen.

DonAlex2

From what I've been told, there's play in the area b/c there's something that's loose in the trans case that holds the drive axle. This makes since that this happened to you. I was told if I replace the seal, it would just leak again because of the play in the trans case. Sorry to hear about the ongoing problem.

Gearspeed-Performance

iTrader: (1)

Typically if the seal is leaking and you have play inside the transmission it can be bad differential bearing. Replacing the differential bearing requires the transmission to be removed and opened up. Check to verify that the bearings are indeed bad. You can pull the axle and check for any play. If there is..changing the seal will not fix anything. So start there first.

Try taking it to a Honda/Acura Specialist who are more familiar with them.

DonAlex2

Thanks for the info. I'll get it checked out.

Jdmbryan

Would a bad axle make it leak also or no?

Gearspeed-Performance

iTrader: (1)

A bad axle can prematurely degrade the sealing surface...but, in turn will also damage the differntial bearings depending on length of time and severity. Best thing to do is make sure the diff is in solid and has no play. Also be sure to check your tires to make sure the vibration isn't tire related. Check suspension components as well. Your transmission leak doesn't look too severe but, any leak should be taken care of.

DonAlex2

Gents,

I'd like to first thank you all for your replies. This is the first time I've posted to a forum instead of just reading and have found it very helpful--Thx!

Latest and greatest info... I took my car to a Honda/Acura Specialist who was more familiar with the tranny. Good news is the differential bearing and everything else checks out good. What I'll be needing to get done is replacing the driver side axle and seal. I'm getting this done tomorrow.

DonAlex2

After all is said and done, the drive axle and seal that needed to be replaced. However, that is not where the noise was coming from... I had to also replace the drivers front wheel bearings.

Jdmbryan

I was bout to suggest that, I found out my axle was bad as well , well was because car was stolen

Gearspeed-Performance

iTrader: (1)

Always gotta check other components...you would be surprised! Glad you got everything figured out!

AlexionEnterpri

I would buy a new axle for 70 bucks, install it and fill the trans with Honda MTF and go from there. I wouldnt go so far as to open the trans without first trying to fix the problem for $80... If you do need to rebuild the trans, you will have a new axle to go with it.