I am having a problem locating an oil leak in the front end of my truck. It appears that there is Gear oil leaking in the vicinity of the left front spindle. it is all over the upper and lower control arms but I see no oil around the gear case where the CV shaft comes out. Does anyone have any idea what this might be?

It is probably the differential vent, venting out oil. That is the same area where the vent sits. Have you changed lube recently? I had this problem before and I was using synthetic fluid with the non synthetic vent cap.

Check your front differential vent and tube. could be a split in it. Check your power steering reservoir to see if the cap is on tight. Check your steering box input shaft. They've been known to leak. Did you change the front gear oil lately? Could have the wrong vent in there if so.

Out of curiosity, what is the difference between the vent types? and would you happen to have the part #'s corresponding to the synthetic and non synthetic vents?

ok I will have a look at the vent tube I have not changed the fluid lately so I dont think it is the wrong vent however I will look at it and see if I find anything I do know however that it is Gear Lube by the smell. Nothing smells like that crap

ok problem is definately in the vent. I removed the line and ran new tubing up next to the battery and put it in a 20 oz. bottle for the ride home. it leaked into the bottle. so what could be the problem do these vents fail? I have not changed the fluid in quite a while do you suppose that it is foaming and just needs to be changed? or do I need to replace this vent where the tubing hooks to the side of the front gear case? let me know what all of you think......:o:

If you haven't changed the dif oil, change it. It is foaming due to deterioration of the anti-foam additives. It's not the best way to schedule fluid changes, but It's definitely a sign that that oil is overdue.

Definately just foam changed the oil last night now good to go. No leaks

Good to hear it's ok now.

OK Problem is back,:wtf1: new oil two weeks ago and no leaks until today. what is going on is there something wrong in the front gear case? or has this vent thing failed? not sure what is hapenning hopefully someone has some insight......:help2:

Did truck get put into 4x4 at all. Sometimes buttons can be hit accidently. I had some overflow after I changed my diff oil. Was running in 4x4 after change and I think it heated things up. Haven't had a problem since.

no it was not put in 4wd I am puzzled though about what is going on .

I would change the vent cap if you have a black one. The white caps are the newest and supposed to be run with Synthetic fluid.

Here's the caps. Black is old, new is white:
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7z5f3/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/frontdiffcover.jpg
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7z5f3/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/frontdiffcover2.jpg

ok well I think I have found the problem. 1 day before this whole leak thing started I had to use 4wd. however I am one of the unlucky ones that burned up my transfer due to the pump rub so when I put it in 4wd the transfer made a big bang. to make a long story short when I shifted it out of 4hi back to 2 hi it never shifted out the front end disengaged but I got the transfer out tonight and there is nothing but 4hi 4lo and neutral. 2 hi does not freespool the front output shaft. so for about a month I have been turning the font drive shaft all the time when I get the new transfer in I will let you know if I make out any better.