Leak on rear differential

[batty1214]

I pulled my 95 out of the shed the other day and serviced her for winter and noticed I had a leak from the front of the rear diff......(where the driveshaft connects) I think its the seal...... but anyone got a better idea of what it is and how to fix it?

[stumpuller454]

it is most likley the seal but some could be seaping past the splines on the yoke too, clean the breather hose out really good and use a toothpick to clean the port in the axle, then clean off the oil go for a drive, see if she still leaks. repair as neccesary.

[batty1214]

huh... I didn't consider the breather bein plugged...... That's a better place to start.

[gmctrucks]

Maybe a stop leak I believe in additives but not stop leaks for radiators well not unless I was in the middle of the desert I seen they can cause more problems in the long run.

[merlin5577]

Originally Posted by stumpuller454

it is most likley the seal but some could be seaping past the splines on the yoke too, clean the breather hose out really good and use a toothpick to clean the port in the axle, then clean off the oil go for a drive, see if she still leaks. repair as neccesary.

+1,

If the breather doesnt fix it, most likely the pinion seal needs to be replaced.

[batty1214]

how big of a job is it to replace the pinion seal?

[stumpuller454]

not to bad, pull out the rear drivehaft, *mark the pinion nut position to the pinion, either use a small pin punch or paint marker* undo the pinion nut (easyier with a 1/2" impact) pull the yoke off (using a two jaw puller is easiest) pop out the seal and install the new one, you`ll probly loose abit of oil so top up after. polish up the seal surface on the yoke with 240 grit paper (or equivilant) and re-install tighten nut till marks re-align. when done make sure pinion doesn`t feel loose. it may need to be slightly tighter than before, but not much! any other Q`s i hope to be around today. (unlike yesterday....arghhh)

[leolkfrm]

you could try some lucas additive it might get you by

[batty1214]

yeah I'd rather not run an additive......... some of them are good and some are bad..... I just got through with a week long training about nothing but OIL and gear lubes....... so now iknow a bit too much.... anyway,

So I just remove the drive line and yoke off the front and access the seal that way huh? thats not bad at all...... plus I'm gonna pull the diff cover anyway and switch to a 75/90 gear oil........ I have most mornings a 15 below zero during the winter, and its rough on gears to run in thick oil...

[bradrhale]

the pinion nut sometimes does not want to give up but if you stay on it, she will eventually turn. that is probably the most aggravating part of the deal. make sure though that the seal goes in square. isnt that an oxymoron?? get a round seal to go in square?? dont let one side of the seal go in before the other side as this could possibly damage the seal trying to get it to seat.