Universal joint leak ??
#1
07-01-07, 08:57 AM
Universal joint leak ??
This 1993 Astro van served me very well. I've never had any major issues with it until yesterday (maybe this is not major). I have not driven it in more than 10 days. I woke up yesterday morning to find a big leak on the driveway right under the universal joint. I gave it a quick check and it did seem to have fluid all around it. I'm not sure if this is normal or what. Do universal joints leak like that out of no where ? What does repair involve, and is this a job for a typical handyman like myself ? Thanks.
#2
07-01-07, 10:06 AM
Is this a front wheel drive or a rear wheel drive. On a rear wheel drive the U joints are dry, except for some grease in them. On front wheel, they are called constant velocity (CV) joints. They are within rubber boots and, if the rubber boot is worn or torn, can leak. Probably a job for a shop.
#3
07-01-07, 10:27 AM
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Moon, Im pretty sure that the Astro van is a rear wheel drive van. Is this the forward u-joint on the driveshaft or the rear u-joint on the driveshaft? if its the forward joint you probably have a rear trans seal leaking and this will be red in color, if it's the rear joint the your pinion seal is leaking and it should be a thick dark milky 80-90w oil. U-joints dont drip fluid there use grease. Either one of these 2 should be repaired by a qualified repair facility.
#4
07-01-07, 11:15 AM
Yes indeed it is a rear wheel drive and it is the front U-joint and yes the leaking oil is red in color ! By trans leak I guess you don't mean the trans oil pan gasket. You probably mean right there where the trans connects with the drive shaft ? If this is the case, then yes I don't think I can handle such a repair. At the same time, I'm not sure I want to dump a lot of money on this van. Can you give me a ball park figure what the average cost would be to fix this seal problem ? Thank you so much gentlemen !
#5
07-01-07, 11:27 AM
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Yeas MOON that is your extension housing seal thats leaking. By my sources im showing this seal will run you about 5 bucks, and if you were to have this done my labor guide shows from .8 - 1.1 hours of labor so figure 1 hour at about $70.00 a labor hour so you may get this done for about 80 bucks. And if you felt like doing it yourself it's a very simple job pull the shaft out, pry the seal out and tap the new one in!
