Rear end leak?????

[DarthMarauder]

Well have been around a few months posted here and there. Now I finally have a prob with my MM have her about 5 months now and today while giving her a bath I noticed I have a ton of grease on the driver rear wheel. Upon further inspection I notice the inside and the outside of the wheel had a nice coating of grease so I made a quick look and nothing is leaking anywhere, did the old smell test and thickness test and its not rear end fluid or brake fluid its definitely grease. So now my question going to try and inspect this closer tomorrow at work anyone got any ideas what I should look for??? Not sure whats all around there that would leak this much grease. The drive to work will be able to tell me if its still leaking or if it was just maybe something I drove through but I doubt I would of been able to drive through this much grease and not know it.

Thanks for any help in advance.

[Rider90]

Shock?? ........

[DarthMarauder]

Isn't the shock filled with oil cause that was one of my thought's at first then I though that they had oil in them??

But that will become Num 1 on my checklist tomorrow thanks for the quick reply

[Rider90]

Isn't the shock filled with oil cause that was one of my thought's at first then I though that they had oil in them??

But that will become Num 1 on my checklist tomorrow thanks for the quick reply
I hear the rear shock is a common problem. Good luck!

[Bradley G]

My guess is axle seals.
I would not drive it, except to a repair facility.

[gdmjoe]

Bradley@DynoPros - My guess is axle seals. I would not drive it, except to a repair facility.
2nd that.

The differential lub' may be synthetic, in which case it will not have that traditional fish / cod smell.

[DarthMarauder]

Thanks for the reply I will check the axle seals too. Another note does rear end fluid spear like thick clumped up grease cause thats what it does on the wheel which is why I didnt suspect it being diff. fluid. Not sure on what our cars diff fluid is like going off of when I changed out my 85 safari van. It was thick I just dont recall it being able to smear up like grease but I will check the axle seals also will be on the list as well. I have to drive it to at least work to check it seeing as my driveway is being taken up by the safari van and I cant move it (no brake lines in the middle of replacing them). To and from work is about as far as I'm going to go till I find the reason. I will also be doing the repair myself as I never take my cars to the shop if its messed up I feel better knowing I did it. LOL

[Mad4Macs]

I will also be doing the repair myself as I never take my cars to the shop if its messed up I feel better knowing I did it. LOL

That's ok if you don't mind replacing both rear axles, I suppose. The axle seals fail due to failed axles. It's a problem with a few Marauders and Crown Vics, and both of mine were replaced, for this same issue, under warranty.

[fastblackmerc]

You don't say what year your MM is. There is a TSB out on rear axel problems on some '03 MM's.

[juno]

Is the grease actually on your Wheels? If it looks and feels like grease and it is on the wheels, I would suspect a wheel bearing.

[Mad4Macs]

What clued me in to having a problem, was when I washed the car, I had a thick oil all over my rear wheels. And I mean ALL OVER them. In between the spokes, on the calipers; you name it.
Turns out the axles weren't made with the correct metal alloy, and were soft. They chew up at the splines, and metal bits wear the seals out.
Good luck!

[DarthMarauder]

Well its my axle seals. Got a better look at the grease and it is indeed diff. fluid. For those wondering the year I do have a 03 300a and its got 57000 miles so I'm out of warranty if my axles are shot. I filled the diff up and it was about 14 oz empty. Hopefully tomorrow I can get my other car on the road so I can get her opened up to see how my axles look. Can someone please tell me what to look for on my axles to tell if they are going??? Also what weight diff fluid should I use when I reinstall everything my manual says 80w-90 but I thought I read that there was a tsb about changing it to a different weight?? I will be searching this. Anyone know a good supplier of stock axles don't have the cash to get into new diff and 31 splines???

Thanks for any responses.

[jimlam56]

This might still be a warranty scenario.
Don't know how many miles you have, but it might be worth a try seeing hows a TSB has beeen issued...never hurts to ask...even if the warranty is expired...

[DarthMarauder]

I'm at 57000 miles.

[gdmjoe]

DarthMarauder
If you do decide to do-it-yourself, here is the part # for the defective axle TSB kit - 3W1Z-4A109-AA

The kit includes:

- 2 axles
- 2 axle bearings
- 2 quarts of 75w140 Motorcraft synthetic dif' lub'
- 1 bottle of friction modifier additive

*Note: The kit is less expensive than buying the pieces separately.

Best o' luck.

[DarthMarauder]

If you do decide to do-it-yourself, here is the part # for the defective axle TSB kit - 3W1Z-4A109-AA

The kit includes:

- 2 axles
- 2 axle bearings
- 2 quarts of 75w140 Motorcraft synthetic dif' lub'
- 1 bottle of friction modifier additive

*Note: The kit is less expensive than buying the pieces separately.

Best o' luck.

Thanks for this gdmjoe any idea how much this kit runs. I will try and get up to my Mercury dealer to see what they charge. Seeing how its the weekend now just curious if you know so I dont have to wait till Mon to find out the shocker. Any of our supporting vendors carry this kit?? Any write-up on a how to do this if not I may do one for anyone attempting this in the future??

[Gryphonzus]

Like someone said earlier talk to the dealer since there is a TSB it should be covered by the factory. If you do not complain to the dealer they will not say anything about it. It does not hurt to talk to them.

[MENINBLK]

SOMETIMES TSBs are extended to cover 150,000 miles.

This is done because there are no letters sent out to owners,
and it is left up to the discretion of the dealership to cover it for their customers.

I would bring the Marauder to a dealership, ask them
what would cause GREASE to appear on the rear wheels,
and let them have a look at it.

YOU already know what's wrong.
Let them come back and tell you what you want to hear.
When they come back and tell you its the axles,
you can reply to them...

"I remember hearing something about a lot of CVs, GMs, Town Cars, and Marauders
having an issue with the rear axles. Is this still a covered repair ?"

If they tell you that its not, tell them that you'd like a Field Service Manager to look at your vehicle.
Be FIRM and make sure that they understand you will not settle for less.
Lots of times, they won't bother with the Field guy and just do the repair for you.

It's all up the relationship you have with your dealer.

This repair not only includes new bearings and axle seals,
but brand new AXLES too !!!!

[gdmjoe]

Agree with MENINBLK; and as mentioned a good dealership will work with you to resolve the issue.

DarthMarauder - Regarding the co$t ... $336.05 (retail) $267.58 (wholesale).