Axle seal. Either the seal has a few miles, the front diff got overfilled blowing the seal, or an axle is bent. I haven't tore into the front end yet, but I can tell you it is going to be a job. Plan on doing both sides.
this could be a possible fix if it was just pot hole, may knocked the seal around a little, keep her full of oil and it may seal back. but yeah, it is almost full axle dismemberment. <--- is that a word?probably just the axle seal. That thing would vibrate like a mother f&^%*&^ if the axle was bent. Just keep the fluid full, or as full as possible so it doesnt take out a carrier bearing. Good luck i know they are alot of work. I am not sure about the newer trucks but my 97 leaked and my dad told me the seal was on the inside by the gears. He said almost complete dissasembly of the axle to replace. So i just kept it fulle, pulled the axle and wiped the axle off and put some oil on it and it actually stopped it
Yes, to allow for expansion, other wise seals will go prematurely.The oil should be just touching your finger tip (about 3/4" to 1" down from the fill hole).
loosen all the bolts, stick a cut 5 gallon bucket under neat and tap it with a rubber mallet, let it drain and reuseYou shouldn't have to take the diff cover off, cause the axle will just pull out. That gear oil is fairly expensive. So if you do have to take the cover off for some reason, try to save all you can.