Failure Due to Fluid

A common cause of axle failures originates with the lubricant, or with lubricant change practices. The lubricant that protects the axle components has three key functions:
- to reduce friction between parts
- to carry heat away from parts
- to carry dirt and wear particles away from parts

When a lubrication failure occurs, it is generally the result of improper maintenance and had its roots in one of three basic problem areas:
- low lubricant level
- improper type of lubricant or lubricant with depleted additives
- contaminated lubricant