Front axle oil

[CMV]

If I fill my front axle, it leaks when parked. Probably all the time, but see the puddle after parking. Oddly, not all the time, but 3 out of 5 times when left parked overnight there will be some gear oil on floor at center of front axle.

So either I'm overfilling, or the dipstick is incorrect. Once I get down to reading about 1/4 full (3/4 empty pessimists), leak stops.

Manual doesn't say, so I thread in the dipstick to check. Is that wrong and I shouldn't thread it in? That would just make problem worse though, since I'd have an even lower reading on dipstick if I didn't thread in to check and would want to add even more oil.

I understand the concept of between the hash marks on a dipstick is OK. However, very near the full mark just feels better Shouldn't I be able to be at the 'full' hash mark on dipstick and not slowly drip gear oil in a puddle? Or at least be at > 1/2 full and not leak?

 

[CMV]

Oh....If I'm not supposed to thread in to check, I would have to be at the lowest hash mark or possibly below but still a little showing on dipstick to be at a level where it doesn't leak. And I park in a nearly perfectly level shipping container - level left-right, about 2" drop back-front over 40'. So not like I'm checking/adding or parking on a steep incline causing the problem.

 

[jdom84]

Did you locate exactly where its leaking? If its not leaking out of an overflow or breather port then it would have to be a seal.

 

[CMV]

Not yet. I only looked close enough to see that it falls from center of the axle area. Haven't poked around enough to see where it is originating.

 

[tomplum]

Mine will leak out of the side vent if it is filled plus half way in the hash marks. It maintains itself there fine. Threaded in to check. You may want to verify the vent cap which is opposite of the fill is actually able to vent.