Front axle leak - worth trying to fix?

[GREASE FIRE]

my truck, an 89 4X4, has a slow leak from the front axle, right in the center. I had never looked too closely - at first i thought it was just a matter of removing those bolts and a cover plate would come off with a gasket...but then i checked it out better and it seems like most of the front axle would need to be removed. It definitely looks like those large U-bolts that hold the leaf springs on would have to come off, plus the u-joints and who knows what else...

it seems like i will just have to check the oil level periodically and add some as needed, and maybe try some kind of stop leak to see if that does anything.

has anyone else had this problem? if so, how did you deal with it? is fixing it properly as hard as it looks to me or not?
any advice appreciated!
thanks,
Paul

 

[6 Nebraska IDIs]

You're correct the entire front axle needs to be disassembled to change those seals. My dad and I did one in his 90 a couple years ago. Its not much fun but totally worth it if you can't find a D60 to swap in.

 

[THECACKLER]

Check it, top it, run it, remember it.

 

[Optikalillushun]

Check it, top it, run it, remember it.

x2, my dads is slowly leakin on his 95 F-150 and i live by that. im not about to tear it apart for that...remember...oil is cheap.