Fluid! Where does it go?

Sully2 · Aug 23, 2006

Was reading a thread here the other day about front end lube..and thought Id check mine. LOW! Dont know when it got that way...but it took a qt to get it back up to the top of the indicator range.

I have NO LEAKS..anywhere. So where did the front differential lube go to???

RobJ · Aug 23, 2006

It goes the same place grease goes.

rdsaustintx · Aug 23, 2006

In my limited experience, leaking fluids go in two directions:

1. Downhill

2. Towards uninsured items.

Sully2 · Aug 23, 2006

I SHOULD have known better than to ask...LOL

RobJ · Aug 24, 2006

Sully2 said:
I SHOULD have known better than to ask...LOL

Well my first thought was do you live around a plant that makes oil eating microbes??

But I bet is wasn't full to begin with.

Highbeam · Aug 24, 2006

Especially common on the front axle is that when you fill the axle to the level indicator the oil has yet to fill the lower bevel gear cavities fully. It's tough for oil to get in there and for the air bubbles to get out.

SkyPup · Aug 24, 2006

Whenever you fill up with oil, you can be sure that gravity is taking it down.

Sully2 · Aug 24, 2006

Highbeam said:
Especially common on the front axle is that when you fill the axle to the level indicator the oil has yet to fill the lower bevel gear cavities fully. It's tough for oil to get in there and for the air bubbles to get out.

And I thank you MUCH for an answer I can finally live with SIR...

(oil eating microbes my ***.....lol)

Highbeam · Aug 24, 2006

I really mean it, no joking, the level went down in my FWD axle over time and I needed to top it off twice. It has since stopped settling. I had no leaks either so it seemed to make the most sense that the oil needs to work down in through the bearings and tight clearances to fill those low reservoirs.

Sully2 · Aug 24, 2006

Highbeam said:
I really mean it, no joking, the level went down in my FWD axle over time and I needed to top it off twice. It has since stopped settling. I had no leaks either so it seemed to make the most sense that the oil needs to work down in through the bearings and tight clearances to fill those low reservoirs.

Makes sense to me for sure. I have oil filled front wheel bearings on a motorhome. Drain them and "refill"..and ALWAYS the next day have to come back and add more. It take some amout of time for fluids to "squeeze" thru everything to seek the correct level.