I suspect a leak because i found oil all over the rear diff and the spare tire (side facing the diff)... not a lot but some. With some shop rags sitting under the diff overnight there is no additional oil collecting. It is possible for the leak to only occur while driving? I know the oil doesn't fill all the up to the top, so maybe the leak is on top? I couldn't see a crack anywhere... any other ideas?
Suspected leaking rear diff
- Thread starter doubleA
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KidVermicious
New member
Clean it off with purple power and go for a drive.
what is purple power? the household cleaner?
KidVermicious
New member
Yup. Any good degreaser will work, but I think PP works best on automotive oils and such. The idea is to get all the old gear oil and dirt off of the housing and third, so that if it keeps leaking you can tell where it's coming from. If it's getting flung around, my money is on the pinion seal, but find out for sure.
Doc2012
Senior Member
Don't rule out the transmission/transfer case. Alot of the time's I've had oil on the 3rd and spare, it was from something up there. Weather it was overfilled, or the line broke that goes from the t-case shifter to the transmission. I never had a 3rd leak, but i'll be damned if there wasn't oil all over it from the transmission/transfer case....
Sooo. After two different mechanics, no one can figure out where the leak is coming from. First one thought it was axle seals, replaced, and still the same issue. But they swore my axles seals were leaking... there some some oil on the back of the wheel. Fine. This is the second time.
I wanted another opinion, and the second next ends up referring me to someone else. They did recommend replacing the entire axles, since there only conclusion is rust, or from the plate welded to the pumpkin.
Neither could get the fill plug off the diff even though the fluid was flushed when I bought it. So i cant even tell how much fluid is in there. I plan on trying to crack it off tomorrow morning. Should I lower the tire, use an impact wrench?
Here is where I am at... could my diff breather be causing the issue? I looked at it, read some threads, but do not know if it is working properly. No apparent grease around it...
Pinion seal, based on pictures I saw online and the location of the seal, it is not the pinion seal.
Maybe the plugs are bad... any additional input appreciated.
I wanted another opinion, and the second next ends up referring me to someone else. They did recommend replacing the entire axles, since there only conclusion is rust, or from the plate welded to the pumpkin.
Neither could get the fill plug off the diff even though the fluid was flushed when I bought it. So i cant even tell how much fluid is in there. I plan on trying to crack it off tomorrow morning. Should I lower the tire, use an impact wrench?
Here is where I am at... could my diff breather be causing the issue? I looked at it, read some threads, but do not know if it is working properly. No apparent grease around it...
Pinion seal, based on pictures I saw online and the location of the seal, it is not the pinion seal.
Maybe the plugs are bad... any additional input appreciated.
BlackCat914
New member
DO NOT use an impact gun to get your differential plug out. Try soaking it with PB blaster, and if that doesn't work, use a little heat.
it was going to be a last resort... now i wont!!! ty
