Determining The Cause

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 58 other vehicles, including the 2003 Saturn Vue, 2003 Saturn L300, 2003 Saturn Ion 3, 2003 Saturn Ion 2, and 2003 Saturn Ion 1. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

While most front axle leaks may be easy to find, determining the cause may not be. A thorough inspection of the area around the leak may assist in determining the cause of the leak.

Oil Seals - Lubricant leaks from a oil seal may be caused by any of the following:

An improperly installed seal.
A distorted seal.
A worn seal.
A worn shaft.
A brittle seal lip.
A hardened seal lip.

To determine the actual cause of the leak, clean the area around the leak. Observe the area of the leak and determine the if the seal or another component is causing the leak. A worn seal surface will cause a leak at the sealing lip while a misaligned seal or a seal installed into a housing with an excessive bore will cause the seal to leak at the outside surface of the seal. Hardened or cracked seal lips usually indicate the axle is operating beyond the normal temperature limits for the axle. A seal whose sealing surface has been nicked or cut may indicate that the shaft has a rough, burred, or gouged surface and will need to be inspected before the seal can be replaced.

Sealing Surfaces

Front axles components are assembled using specific sealers. A leak at a surface sealed with sealant is usually caused by a poor fit of the components but can also be caused by the use of the wrong sealant. When correcting a sealant leak, inspect each component for distortion and for nicks or gouges that may prohibit the sealant from sealing properly and when reassembling the component, use the proper sealant.

Differential Carrier Assembly - Lubricant leaks at the differential carrier assembly can occur at the following locations:

Drain plug.
Fill plug.
Vent tube.

Drain and fill plug leaks are usually caused by a loose plug. A vent tube leak can be cause by a loose fitting vent hose or by a vent tube assembly whose interior shield is stuck in the upside down position. Inspect the vent plug's interior shield for unrestricted movement, repair or replace the plug as necessary. Drain or fill plug leaks can be repaired by either tightening the plug or by using an approved sealer on the threads on the plug.