Hey all, in Pennsylvania we got a ton of snow today and so I used my 4wheel drive and put about 100miles on in 4wheel speeds all 55mph and under. after I got home I smelled a gear oil smell out side the truck. could this be from using the 4wheel after having not used it in a long time? or am I looking at a potential problem? I will check under the truck tommorow when there is light so I can see for any problems. Whats your thoughts?

Justin

Gear oil is only found in two places, the front and rear differentials. Check that the pinion seals on both the front and rear are intact and no leaking. I have had a leaking rear seal for years. It wasn't bad, just annoying. If you smell it, the source is more than likely the rear seal. Once the rear seal goes, it will fling oil on the exhaust. The exhaust heats up the oil to make it more pungent. If the front pinion seal goes bad, I doubt that it would smell much. Check them both to make sure though.

Jake

Rear axle shaft seal. If so you should see some drips/evidence on the inboard side of the tire.
Stinky stuff!

My dad and sister had this but it was the front end. My sister had a axle seal leak and oil got tossed all over and on the exhaust and my dad had the front pinion seal do the same.

Also if your vent hose plugs up it could build pressure up in the box and force oil out the seals. I had this happen when ice built up in the vent.