Driving with leaking rear axle?

[Coal creek Chris]

Noticed today my rear axle on the passenger side is leaking gear oil from the inside of the wheel. The leak doesn't seem too bad, relatively slow. Is it a bad idea to drive on this at all or could I get by for a while so long as I keep the oil level up? Is there a seal to replace on this axle? I had the brakes replaced about 8 months ago. It is a 1989 one ton dually setup.

I should also mention I plan to drive it loaded with about a ton of weight in the bed.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Noticed today my rear axle on the passenger side is leaking gear oil from the inside of the wheel. The leak doesn't seem too bad, relatively slow. Is it a bad idea to drive on this at all or could I get by for a while so long as I keep the oil level up? Is there a seal to replace on this axle? I had the brakes replaced about 8 months ago. It is a 1989 one ton dually setup.

I should also mention I plan to drive it loaded with about a ton of weight in the bed.

if you keep the oil up theoretically its fine going forward, its just a matter of keeping it up. If its a slow loss, id keep an eye on it and add fluid and once you get a weekend do the seal

 

[PrairieDrifter]

It can affect your braking. Either you'll have less braking power or you'll have to much and the wheel will easily lock up on any surface with a hard enough decel.

That side of brakes will need to be replaced after the seal is fixed. You would probably be ok not getting a new drum if you clean the old drum up really well, only if you don't put a bunch of miles on it.

 

[Coal creek Chris]

Thanks. I need to drive it about 35 miles loaded with logs and 35 miles back empty. I'll drive slow, watch the leak and hope for the best. Oil soaked brake shoes probably aren't good. Is the seal hard to do on this? I haven't done it before.

Drums are almost new, does the oil wreck them?

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Thanks. I need to drive it about 35 miles loaded with logs and 35 miles back empty. I'll drive slow, watch the leak and hope for the best. Oil soaked brake shoes probably aren't good. Is the seal hard to do on this? I haven't done it before.

Drums are almost new, does the oil wreck them?

Over time the fluids will seep in and imbed itself in the metal. And yes any type of fluid on the brake shoe material will affect it, even the oils in human skin can affect it. Just like touching clutches and flywheels with your hands, same for rotors and drums.