I found a drop of fluid on my driveway day before yesterday, so I checked if it was oil, fluid, antifreeze or what, and I noticed it was reddish in color. Clean the drop and waited for my wife to come home yesterday from driving the truck around there is a drop on the driveway again. So I proceeded to find where the fluid was coming from, and found where it is before it falls for the driveway. Below is a photo of what I found. Seems to be a leak near the end of the transfer case. Now I am not a mechanic by no means, so I might be using the wrong terms. As you can see in the photo, the boot is to the right then to the left of those bolts is where the leak is. I assume the axle goes in right about there. Anyway, what could this leak be, it is reddish fluid, I thought near the axle was grease and not fluid. I checked above where the fluid is, and didn't see any fluid leaking from transmission lines above it. Right where the fluid is in the photo, can it leak from that area, is there a seal or something there?

I am going to take it to the shop this week, but I would like to see if somebody can tell me what might be the issue before taking it in. If it transfer case issues, I have a shop I would prefer to take it to over another. If not transfer case and like an axle seal, then I might consider another shop which would be a little cheaper and can probably handle a job like that. Just kind of looking at what this red fluid could be, so when I take it in, I know more or less what it is and can kind of figure the cost in advance so I know what the cost more or less should be.

Thank you in advance.


Fluid Leaking