rare front differential oil leak

[vidvis]

Thanks for the info. Humtech. Yesterday I separated the half shaft flange from the output shaft flange that I had previously reassembled with gasket sealer in addition to the bolts of course. I drove it around plenty after having let the sealer set up. When I opened it up, I found a small amount of what appeared to be gear oil inside the sealed area. However, I don't think it is was gear oil at this point.

The flange of the half shaft has a lid or cap pressed into it. I presume that make it easier to access if someone wants to rebuild it later. The oil appeared to be leaking from an area where the cap is pressed in. I am guessing that grease inside the CV joint area of the half shaft gets a bit runny when warm. I always thought the lube inside a CV joint would be a heavy grease that doesn't get that liquidity. By the way, the CV joint never got to feeling any warmer than the other one, and it is not making unusual noises or have any abnormal play in it either.

I cleaned everything back up, and again used gasket sealer prior to assembling it all and have no more leaking issues.

Would you replaced the half shaft or just leave things as is? Is was a replacement product from Napa, is about a year old, and only has 6k-8k miles on it.