Leak spotted at front diff(?)

[KingKoopa17]

Afternoon gents,

I was prepping the truck for some undercoating last night when I spotted what appears to be a leak beneath the driver's side right behind the control arm knuckle on my '19. Having a bit of a brain fart at the moment, but I want to say it's the front diff or possibly transmission? Took a few pics to tag along this post. I have noticed that shifting feels a little stiffer than it normally does even after it's warmed up. In addition, normally the trans temp stays around 188-190 during most of my driving, unless I get on it. But even then, normally it'll spike up to 194, maybe 196 at most in sport mode which then relatively quickly cools back down to 190. The past few weeks I've noticed it takes way longer to cool back down and I don't even have to be in sport mode and I see the trans temp jump to 197-199. Dunno if it's related, but I'm looking for input, if any. Thanks!

 

[smurfslayer]

Do you mean “possibly transfer case”?

 

[Raptorbert]

My Gen 3 just had a front pinion seal replacement for a leak in that same area.

 

[KingKoopa17]

Do you mean “possibly transfer case”?

Yeah, that might make more sense, lol.

My Gen 3 just had a front pinion seal replacement for a leak in that same area.

Yep, looking at some other photos online, that's looking like it might be the case. I'm assuming you took it to a dealer? How long did you end up without your truck?

 

[Raptorbert]

Yeah, that might make more sense, lol.


Yep, looking at some other photos online, that's looking like it might be the case. I'm assuming you took it to a dealer? How long did you end up without your truck?

Just overnight. I’m sure it can be done within a day though

 

[mprice1234]

Good thing you caught this early before it got worst, not too many people get around to crawling under their trucks that often!

 

[KingKoopa17]

Follow-up question that may or may not be dumb, but would the driveshaft connected to that transfer case spin freely while 2H is engaged? I ask because the shaft does not spin freely despite being in 2H. Meanwhile the shaft on my dad's F250 does. Of course, I was wondering too if the fact that the Raptor also has 4A if that would explain it?

 

[Raptorbert]

I was told by a ford tech that the front driveshaft spins and that the axle disco is at the hub. I can’t confirm that but it’s what he told me when I took mine in.

 

[FordTechOne]

Follow-up question that may or may not be dumb, but would the driveshaft connected to that transfer case spin freely while 2H is engaged? I ask because the shaft does not spin freely despite being in 2H. Meanwhile the shaft on my dad's F250 does. Of course, I was wondering too if the fact that the Raptor also has 4A if that would explain it?

Not with the engine off or on initial startup; the IWEs (hub locks) remain engaged for the first few miles of driving to allow everything to warm up. Then the solenoid turn on and provides vacuum to the hubs, which cause them to disengage. Super Duty uses a different system.

 

[KingKoopa17]

Not with the engine off or on initial startup; the IWEs (hub locks) remain engaged for the first few miles of driving to allow everything to warm up. Then the solenoid turn on and provides vacuum to the hubs, which cause them to disengage. Super Duty uses a different system.

Thanks FordTechOne, always appreciate your input!