Help with front Diff

[kaptaink]

Hey guys - first off this is a 2003 Voy XL 4wd with 112,xxx miles

Saturday 10 miles from home wife says something is wrong, pulls over and passenger tire has grenaded. I change it and also notice the pads are worn. Sunday I change brake pads, when I get to drivers side I notice this(see pics). I had a very small(dollar coin) size puddle of diff fluid on driveway and noticed all the grease splattered everywhere. The diff fluid plug was able to be snugged up just a hair. My question is is this a CV joint prob, a diff seal problem or both? Also the boot looks to be in good shape with no splits, cracks etc... Right now there is no issue in 2wd or 4wd - but we are driving north in 2 weeks(a 2000 mile round trip) so obviously I gotta get this fixed. Also since I live in KY and don't offroad I have only been in 4wd a few times.

I can likely fix myself - I would just appreciate some input on the issue.

http://s706.photobucket.com/albums/ww64/kaptaink73/?action=view&current=DSC04449.jpg

http://s706.photobucket.com/albums/ww64/kaptaink73/?action=view&current=DSC04452.jpg

http://s706.photobucket.com/albums/ww64/kaptaink73/?action=view&current=DSC04453.jpg

thanks!!!!

[MichEnvoyBoy]

I replaced the same seal on my 2002 Envoy about 2 years ago. My seal went bad, as in it would leave a 4" diameter puddle in the driveway each day. It was a pretty easy replacement, except the OEM seal was installed by, in my estimate, a beast! I broke a seal puller getting it out :crazy:

Anyhoo, it stayed dry for the first 1.5 years and then it started seeping again, looks just like the pictures you posted. My halfshaft grease occasionally flings itself into the same area too, although the boot is in good condition and there are no tears in the bellows.

IIRC, the seal is pretty cheap $6 from the dealer, IIRC.

[ktmrider]

+2, same seal went on ours.
Downside is that I did not catch it before the wife engaged the 4wd one day and it fried the front diff. From what I could tell the seal sits quite a ways below the oil level plus the total volume of the diff is only around 1 quart.
Needless to day it sucked. To make things even more fun the front diff in the I-6 goes thru the oilpan and cannot be removed unless you drop said pan. Oh and to drop the pan you need to remove the steering rack and other misc items.... :suicide:
Long story long, if you cannot replace the seal ASAP make doubly sure the diff fluid is topped off and/or don't engage the 4WD until the seal is replaced.