What is the seal on the CV axle?
The CV axle shaft seal is what keeps fluid from leaking out of the transmission or differential housing as the CV axle rotates when the vehicle is in motion.
What happens when the cv shaft seal fails?
When the axle shaft seal fails, oil or transmission fluid can leak from the transmission or differential. If you notice these fluids are pooling under your car, especially after being parked, you should have your car serviced as soon as possible.
When does the axle seal need to be replaced in a car?
In a typical front-wheel drive car, the hardest part is to remove the CV axle (driveshaft) to get to the seal. Without a hoist and proper tools it’s quite difficult, especially if the seal is leaking on the side of the longer driveshaft (the right side in most cars).
Is it safe to drive with a leaking axle seal?
The low transmission fluid level is another reason to suspect a leak. Is it safe to drive with a leaking axle seal? It depends on the severity of the leak. If the leak results in significant fluid loss, the leaking component (transmission, differential or transfer unit) could eventually get damaged.
How to replace CV axle and output shaft seal?
With an extra pair of hands, align the axle (including the outer CV bearing cup) positioned straight towards the transmission.
In a typical front-wheel drive car, the hardest part is to remove the CV axle (driveshaft) to get to the seal. Without a hoist and proper tools it’s quite difficult, especially if the seal is leaking on the side of the longer driveshaft (the right side in most cars).
The low transmission fluid level is another reason to suspect a leak. Is it safe to drive with a leaking axle seal? It depends on the severity of the leak. If the leak results in significant fluid loss, the leaking component (transmission, differential or transfer unit) could eventually get damaged.
Do you need to replace the CV seal on a Subaru?
Toyota CV snap rings tend to be stronger than snap rings found in other cars (i.e., Honda, Nissan, etc.—Subaru uses compression pins to hold their inner CV axles, but that’s another story). Seal replacement is highly recommended.