Oil leak at u-Joint

[ebud]

2005 Pathfinder @210km

I have been noticing a vibration when accelerating, right around 70km/h... taking my foot off the accelerator and it goes away.

I was thinking rear u-joints, but when looking at them I notice oil around around the front u-joint that goes into the transfer case, so now I am thinking a seal / bearing or a combination of all?

Any thoughts?

[Thupertrooper]

Bad u joint will cause vibration that vibration in time will lead to premature seal wear.

[ebud]

Thanks!

Is the seal a tough DYI project? Is there a bearing in there that could be damaged too?

[Thupertrooper]

I havnt replaced one in my pathy but have in other vehicles and after you pull off the drive shaft you just pull the old seal and pop the new one in but i would double check its the u joints.

Doesnt sound like the bearing is out but if you crawl under and just give it a tug just see what moves. Shouldnt be any play at all.

[ebud]

I crawled under and I am not really noticing play at the u-joints. With the car in park if I twist the shaft is rotates slightly left/right, but I cannot notice any side to side movement at the u-joints or at the input shaft.

Definitely leaking at the transfer case end... that u-joint is wet with fluid and as I mentioned I do get a vibration under load around 70km/hr.

Trying to decide if I take this project on this weekend - it seems pretty straight forward, but don't have a press.

[labsy]

Well, if this helps: