A leaking front boot question

Diffs, axles, lockers, transmissions, portals, that kind of thing.
texas pinzgauer
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A leaking front boot question

Post by texas pinzgauer »

After some fairly uneventful offroading last weekend, I got home and my wife noticed that I had a pretty good fluid leak. (The Pinz, not me). The leak is coming from one of the front boots and, while the gear oil isn't pouring out, it's certainly leaking steadily.

So here's the question, once I remove the old boot, is this leak an indication that something is damaged or broken in the front differential and that's prompting this gear oil leak? Stated differently, there was no leak in back when I replaced one of those boots so why would I have a leak up front with a damaged boot? No odd or new sounds either by the way.

If anyone has any opinions about this leak, please let me know. Also, even if it's a dumb question, is there anything different about the split boot installation on the front axle that's different from the rear axles?

Thanks!
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undysworld
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Re: A leaking front boot question

Post by undysworld »

I think that's the o-ring and/or the stop ring on the axle shaft which has failed. I'm pretty sure they can be changed w/o breaking open the diff. Search for more details on how-to, or perhaps Jim L will chime in w/ the right answer.

Re. split boots, no difference front to back. The difference in split boot installation is side-to-side. The lefts point to the rear, and the rights are the opposite. The seam goes to the right as you stand facing the axle in either case.
texas pinzgauer
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Re: A leaking front boot question

Post by texas pinzgauer »

I had a brief conversation with Scott and asked him to check this post to see if he might weigh in with an opinion.

Obviously I'm looking for the easy, do it myself fix, not the, "you need special tools and lots of disassembly is required and it's going to be a huge mess if you don't have the right parts with you while you're doing it" kind of fix.
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crcpinz
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Re: A leaking front boot question

Post by crcpinz »

Sorry, but I think it is the sort of fix you so candidly refer to.
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texas pinzgauer
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Re: A leaking front boot question

Post by texas pinzgauer »

I hope Javier is WRONG! Other opinions on the problem would be appreciated.

If he is RIGHT, is this a doable project for someone fairly handly and mechanically inclined and well equipped with tools or are there special tools etc etc etc and a "real" Pinz focused shop will need to undertake this project?
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Andre
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Re: A leaking front boot question

Post by Andre »

if you expect the o ring to be replaced without cutting. the axle end will have to come off. If its the front axle, have fun compressing and re installing the spring. :roll:
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texas pinzgauer
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Re: A leaking front boot question

Post by texas pinzgauer »

Andre and I spoke yesterday about this issue and his suggestion was to run a higher weight gear oil on an interim basis to stem the flow of oil until I (he...with me probably watching) could undertake this project when his schedule allows in the fall.

Sounds like a good fix so I'll report back if this is at least a short term option.
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krick3tt
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Re: A leaking front boot question

Post by krick3tt »

What weight are you using now?
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Re: A leaking front boot question

Post by texas pinzgauer »

I'm using 90 currently as I recall Morris.
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krick3tt
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Re: A leaking front boot question

Post by krick3tt »

looking up gear oil I discovered that there much higher ratings or weights than we are used to. Found 85/140 gear lube and
I found ISO 140 and ISO 220 gear lube for high torque applications... and the article mentions that the 85/90 that we commonly use are (close to) or equivalent to 10/40 motor oil.
I find that information somewhat disturbing. Perhaps if there is someone with knowledge of these things a bit of a tutorial is in order.
Although the gear box does not reach the temps of the engine it seems a bit confusing how oils are rated or graded.
Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him:
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texas pinzgauer
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Re: A leaking front boot question

Post by texas pinzgauer »

You bring up some good points Morris. Obvious the lubrication requirements of the drive train are different than those of the engine. As I described my problem to Andre, he started to walk me through the actual repair process. Along the way however, he mentioned the idea of using heavier gear oil as an interim solution. There is a build up of pressure using a heavier product like this but his comments was that with the "limited" volume that I (and probably most of y'all) use them for, this use of heavier gear oil would be a good option until we could undertake this project when he schedule allows. By "limited use" he was thinking perhaps 100 miles in a week and I doubt I drive it that much.

For those who know him, Andre is one of those guys who is spoken in almost sage like terms so I trust his judgment. However, if there are differing opinions on this subject, I'd like to hear them.

David
Last edited by texas pinzgauer on Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
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crcpinz
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Re: A leaking front boot question

Post by crcpinz »

I'd use the heavier oil and wait for Andre. I also would replace the boot with an original one, not the split type which is for field repair. Good luck.
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texas pinzgauer
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Re: A leaking front boot question

Post by texas pinzgauer »

I agree with you 100% on the first part. I agree with you 0% on the second part! :wink:

You know what they say, "once you go split boot, you never go back".
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crcpinz
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Re: A leaking front boot question

Post by crcpinz »

Why would someone want a split boot when you can get a one-piece yellow factory boot for about the same price ($80) and your half-axle is already disassembled? On the other hand, the split boot kits are great for a quick field repair (this is in theory, as I still haven't had the need to repair mine).
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pinzinator
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Re: A leaking front boot question

Post by pinzinator »

I have the same question as Texas Pinzgauer- does the differential have to come apart to fix the leak that allows oil to get into the boots? Pulling the wheel drive housing or removing front spring to replace an o-ring is much easier, if that's what it takes. I have looked at diagrams and can't answer this myself.
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