[Uellee]

I have some fluid leaking around my left rear wheel. I fear it's an axle seal. I removed the calipers and unfortunately it looks like there is almost no chance it is just brake fluid.

I had one of the rear seals replaced about 8 yrs ago following a 2,500 mile drive across the country (factory warranty), not sure if it's the same one or not but I think it might be.

I browsed through Advan's DIY axle seal thread, seems fairly straight forward.

Anybody care to weigh in?

Before putting it all back together I sprayed everything down pretty well with brake cleaner so maybe I'll drive it a bit and check it again prior to cracking it open.





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[Zillon]

Yep, axle seals are shot.

Hopefully the axle isn't damaged as a result.

Nissan's response to this is to either replace the seals (if under warranty), or replace the axle if the axle shaft is scored/bearings damaged when the issue comes about (again, if under warranty). The real culprit is the inadequate rear axle vent, which is a one-way vent that doesn't allow for proper ventilation and allows pressure and moisture buildup instead.

Do the seals, brakes pads, and do the rear axle vent mod (link: http://www.clubfrontier.org/forums/f62/2nd-gen-axle-vent-mod-write-up-40925/ ).

Out of warranty, the axle seals are about $700 at the dealer, and the whole axle is $2-3k.

 

[Uellee]

Yep, axle seals are shot.

Hopefully the axle isn't damaged as a result.

Nissan's response to this is to either replace the seals (if under warranty), or replace the axle if the axle shaft is scored/bearings damaged when the issue comes about (again, if under warranty). The real culprit is the inadequate rear axle vent, which is a one-way vent that doesn't allow for proper ventilation and allows pressure and moisture buildup instead.

Do the seals, brakes pads, and do the rear axle vent mod (link: http://www.clubfrontier.org/forums/f62/2nd-gen-axle-vent-mod-write-up-40925/ ).

Out of warranty, the axle seals are about $700 at the dealer, and the whole axle is $2-3k.

Thank you Zillon

Yeah, I know about the axle vent mod and the funny thing is that I've had a tab open in my browser for months with the writeup (as I have been meaning to do it.) It is too cheap and easy not to do. Too bad I wasn't more pro active about it.

I was reading about another guy who had axle seal problems and he said he had already done the mod and suggested that it's probably just a bad design and the vent is just the unlucky scapegoat.

Link: Axle seal problem even with mod. Poor engineering?

...and another.

Anybody ever ACTUALLY REALLY confirmed that the vent has been the culprit here rather than just poor engineering.

How many people have had the problem after doing the mod?



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[The other Sean]

It's probably a little of both. Not the best seal and the vent not helping the situation.

When I had an axle seal replaced under warranty, the dealer told me Nissan recommends replacing the axle assembly and not just the seal. He mentioned more labor to remove and install the bearing and seal and the possibility of not getting it right as opposed to just stabbing in a brand new axle. Made sense to me in a warranty situation.

 

[JeniorNV]

How many people have had the problem after doing the mod?

I have, but I think my truck usage (lots of off roading) is a contributing factor. Doesn't really change the fact that the vent is a crappy design though.

That looks like a fairly nasty leak that needs to be addressed soon. Oily brakes are not a good thing.

 

[Zillon]

Thank you Zillon

Yeah, I know about the axle vent mod and the funny thing is that I've had a tab open in my browser for months with the writeup (as I have been meaning to do it.) It is too cheap and easy not to do. Too bad I wasn't more pro active about it.

I was reading about another guy who had axle seal problems and he said he had already done the mod and suggested that it's probably just a bad design and the vent is just the unlucky scapegoat.

Link: Axle seal problem even with mod. Poor engineering?

...and another.

Anybody ever ACTUALLY REALLY confirmed that the vent has been the culprit here rather than just poor engineering.

How many people have had the problem after doing the mod?



.

No problem man.

I just did the mod to my '16 - I too dragged my feet on getting it done, and I'm not sure why, because it's really easy to do.

I ordered the parts at 4-5k miles, and just did the vent mod at 14k-ish.

 

[LittleBull]

How many people have had the problem after doing the mod?



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I can't, but I can tell you that it's a serious issue. I decided to do the vent mode because
down here in Florida I wind up going throught a LOT of deep water, even when I'm not off road.
During Mathew I pushed at least a half dozen stalled vehicles out of the road.

Anyway... doing the mode, I popped the cap off the vent, went to peel the seal off the tip of
the fitting expecting to hear a "pssst" sound. What I got was a "PPPPSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTtttttttt"
that went on for a scarry long time. I actually thought I might have punctured my tire
somehow for a second. There's no way that kind of vacuum can be good for the seals. I hadn't
even driven it that day, so it'd been sitting in the driveway for at least 12 hours.

 

[Uellee]

I can't, but I can tell you that it's a serious issue. I decided to do the vent mode because
down here in Florida I wind up going throught a LOT of deep water, even when I'm not off road.
During Mathew I pushed at least a half dozen stalled vehicles out of the road.

Anyway... doing the mode, I popped the cap off the vent, went to peel the seal off the tip of
the fitting expecting to hear a "pssst" sound. What I got was a "PPPPSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTtttttttt"
that went on for a scarry long time. I actually thought I might have punctured my tire
somehow for a second. There's no way that kind of vacuum can be good for the seals. I hadn't
even driven it that day, so it'd been sitting in the driveway for at least 12 hours.

Ok, well that definitely seems like proof positive that there is a real problem with excessive pressure differential inside the rear final drive that the vent is not properly mitigating and more than likely AT LEAST some of the problems with the axle seals stem from this issue.

Thank you for sharing!


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[jbonebrake]

I just replaced both axle seals and did the vent mod, my vent was plugged tight which pushed the seals out. Terrible design on nissans part.


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