Motor Oil Between Right Halfshaft And Diff?

[taro]

While I was loosening the bolts that hold the right halfshaft in place I had a few ounces of what looks like motor oil drain out. What's up with this? I was wondering if it was coming from the diff, but it was much too thin (it was clean too), definitely not gear oil. Also, someone loctited the bolts. Am I supposed to do this? The other side wasn't. Thanks, Taro

Edited September 22, 2007 by taro

[projekz]

I didn't loctite my bolts when I put them back in...I thinks it would be better to do it if you have some!

[taro]

I didn't loctite my bolts when I put them back in...I thinks it would be better to do it if you have some!

 

Thanks for your input. I didn't see your reply until now. I hadn't put loctite on them, which was fortunate because I forgot to put a washer from the old halfshaft to the new one and had to take the halfshaft out again. Had to redo it on the other side too. What can I say, I typically learn the hardway. If for some reason I have to take out the bolts again, I'll put some loctite on them.

 

BTW--now I'm facing the fact that I don't have enough axle showing throught the spindle to put the snap ring back on it. I'm going to try to move the steering around to see if that'll help. Thanks to everyone for their generous help.

Edited September 24, 2007 by taro

[XPLORx4]

While I was loosening the bolts that hold the right halfshaft in place I had a few ounces of what looks like motor oil drain out. What's up with this? I was wondering if it was coming from the diff, but it was much too thin (it was clean too), definitely not gear oil.

 

It's not motor oil. It's the oily separation of the CV joint grease. (Over time, grease separates in the same way that natural peanut butter separates and needs stirring.)

Edited September 24, 2007 by XPLORx4

[taro]

It's not motor oil. It's the oily separation of the CV joint grease. (Over time, grease separates in the same way that natural peanut butter separates and needs stirring.)

 

Ahh soo, I never would have thought of that, especially on the diff side of the half-shaft. Thanks for bringing me up to speed. Taro

[brerben]

Thanks for your input. I didn't see your reply until now. I hadn't put loctite on them, which was fortunate because I forgot to put a washer from the old halfshaft to the new one and had to take the halfshaft out again. Had to redo it on the other side too. What can I say, I typically learn the hardway. If for some reason I have to take out the bolts again, I'll put some loctite on them.

 

BTW--now I'm facing the fact that I don't have enough axle showing throught the spindle to put the snap ring back on it. I'm going to try to move the steering around to see if that'll help. Thanks to everyone for their generous help.

 

If your axle isn't showing all the way through, reach behind the wheel and grab hold of the CV axle and push it out. No need to move the steering wheel

[taro]

If your axle isn't showing all the way through, reach behind the wheel and grab hold of the CV axle and push it out. No need to move the steering wheel

 

Thanks for the tip. It turned out that the little circular spring for the spindle bearing seal came out and got wedged between the halfshaft and the bearing. I finally got everything put back together with the exception of one of the center caps that I broke. C'est la vie.