Leaking fluid from front

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Underdog66

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Recently I noticed two very small puddles under the front end of my 2005 Expedition. There was one on each side almost directly under the tie rods where they enter the rack and pinion. My gut was to order a new rack and pinion, but a coworker advised me to investigate further. I'm glad I did. The fluid does not appear to be coming from either side of the rack. The puddle on the passenger side appears to be coming from where the CV joint mounts to some type of shaft connected to the front diff, as seen in the images below.

IMG_20230123_152341009.jpg


IMG_20230123_152347399.jpg
1. How difficult is the repair and is there a video/instructions on how to complete?
2. Is the fluid from the diff itself? If so how do I check it/add more fluid?
3. Is it advisable to even add more fluid?


The other leak appears to be coming from the power steering pump and or the rack/pinion line connection as show in the images below.

leak.jpg

IMG_20230123_152920719.jpg
1. Which place is most likely the source of the leak?
2. Is it probable that the pump itself would develop a leak? The pump doesn't make noise. The p0wer steering works fine other than some 'wander' driving down the road.
3. I did have the power steering pump removed last year, hose left connected, while I completed a timing job.
4. How likely is it that I damaged a line and its just now leaking?

Thanks for any and all input.
 

whtbronco

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I'm not sure on the gear oil at the axle seal, I've never disassembled that and can't find it in AllData. Looks like it's not real hard, but it would be time consuming. Good luck finding a video of that.

I'd say for the power steering fluid leak if it's on the passenger side it's likely the telon seal. If the leak is in the front below the pulley it's likely an o-ring.
 
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Underdog66

Underdog66

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I'm not sure on the gear oil at the axle seal, I've never disassembled that and can't find it in AllData. Looks like it's not real hard, but it would be time consuming. Good luck finding a video of that.

I'd say for the power steering fluid leak if it's on the passenger side it's likely the telon seal. If the leak is in the front below the pulley it's likely an o-ring.
Thank you for the reply. Its been extremely cold here the last few days. Next week when its above zero I'm going to investigate further.
 

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