I have a leak on my differential that was at first a mystery smell, then last night I found a small amount of smoke coming up rear drivers side wheel well. I traced it back to the passengers side axle seal on the differential. Figured it was a small leak and changed fluid refilling it to the fill plug. Tonight got home and the leak is noticeably worse.
Two questions: If this is from a clogged vent will changing the vent solve the leak, and is there a generic seal size which can work for the replacement?

If I can't source a fix locally I'll be without wheels for a week.

 

I have this same problem too - anyone have any advice for me?

 

Yup, don't be supprized if you top it off and leakage gets significantly worse. If you end up doing it yourself order both the seal and the axel clip or you will end up doing it twice. Also you probably want to get one of those clawed pullers. Oh and remeber where your alignment index marks are so you won't need an alignment afterwards. Hope that helps.

 

Oh and to answer my original question once the seal is leaking it's done. The seal and clip are dealer parts but together should cost you less than $20. Just keep it filled untill you can replace it. Oh and don't forget to repace the vent as well, think it was $7.

 

Sorry for the thread revival but does anyone know what he means by axle clip? I'm about to go and replace my seal but I have no idea what he means by clip.

Thanks!

 

 

Sorry for my stupid questions here, but why do you need a new clip when you swap the seal?

 

Wear and tear.............

 

In my case the clip was gone when I removed the axle. Mazda recommends you replace it when you replace the seal, so it's a good thing to replace regardless.

 

Thanks!! That clears things up. I'm bringing her to the stealership tomorrow and hopefully I can get things sorted out. Thanks a lot everyone. I will update with the outcome tomorrow.

I'm also having the cx-9 breather put on...hopefully that will prevent another blown seal

 

How did you remove the axle? I'm having trouble with the hub removal.