Is it safe to drive with a leaking axle seal?
The axle seal is the part of the vehicle that connects the axle to the rear differential or transmission. The purpose of the axle seal is to prevent leakage of transmission fluid. Depending on the size of the leak, it can be...
The axle seal is the part of the vehicle that connects the axle to the rear differential or transmission. The purpose of the axle seal is to prevent leakage of transmission fluid. Depending on the size of the leak, it is possible to drive with a leaking axle oil seal, but not for very long.
If you are concerned about axle oil seal leakage, there are 2 things to look out for:
A puddle of oil under the car. One of the most common signs of a leaking axle oil seal is the presence of oil under the vehicle after it has been parked. Your driveway is one of the places where you will notice an oil leak. If you start noticing drops of oil in your driveway, this could be a sign of a leaky axle seal.
Transmission slippage at highway speeds. While an oil slick in the driveway is a common symptom, it's not always due to the axle seal leaking more while driving on the highway. Instead, you may notice that your gearbox is slipping at high speeds. As the transmission fluid drops, there is not enough fluid to friction the brake band, operate the valves, lubricate the gears and the torque converter. If a leaking axle seal is not fixed soon and the transmission slips, you can cause permanent damage to the transmission.
The severity of the leak affects how safe it is to drive with a leaky axle seal. If there is significant fluid loss, so great that it affects the transmission, the vehicle must not be driven. If the leak is small and you can't come to an appointment for a few days, you can drive as long as you keep the transmission fluid full. However, don't go too far, as a broken transmission is an expensive repair.
The most common cause of axle oil seal leakage is incorrect axle installation or removal. In addition, the axle oil seal can wear out over time, which can lead to its leakage. A leaking axle seal may be covered by your vehicle's transmission warranty, so check your vehicle's brochure to see if this is the case.
If your vehicle has a slight axle oil seal leak, you may be able to continue driving for now, but you should check and replace your vehicle's axle shaft immediately. Make sure your transmission fluid is topped up to keep your transmission running smoothly. If you have a large leak and your transmission is slipping, it is not recommended to drive with a leaking axle oil seal.
