I think my differential is leaking
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
I think my differential is leaking
I've got a 94 std cab pickup with a 22re, and about 58,500 miles. My real axle has a small pool of liquid at the bottom of it. I searched for leaking differentials, and most people had oil on their brakes, or tires. I don't see any liquid on the brakes or near the tires, it is in the center of the axle. It is a clearish yellow color, and it smells like gear oil. Is there a seal that might have gone out ? I'm driving from san francisco, to las vegas, then tucson and back next week, and I don't want to get stuck in the desert. I'll try to get some pictures later.
#2
There are 4 seals that could leak near the center of the axle, generally.
1. Drain or Fill plug gaskets (counts as 2 in my book, though they are the same gasket I believe)
2. 3rd Member to axle housing gasket
3. Pinion seal
1. Drain or Fill plug gaskets (counts as 2 in my book, though they are the same gasket I believe)
2. 3rd Member to axle housing gasket
3. Pinion seal
Last edited by MudHippy; 06-19-2007 at 02:24 PM.
#4
Contributing Member
There are only a few places your axle can be leaking from.
1. The fill bolt (tighten or get a new washer)
2. The diff to axle housing interface (remove diff, clean surface, apply RTV, reassemble)
3. The pinion seal (that would take some work to repair, but not impossible)
You'll want to check you oil level frequently on your drive. Those gears will wear really fast once oil level gets down. Lot's of heat, wear... and eventual failure (possible lockup, although a little unlikely).
I guess you want to check the area and make sure the source of the leak isn't from a crack or other damage. Just to be safe.
Edit: Mudhippy beat me to it. He must type faster.
1. The fill bolt (tighten or get a new washer)
2. The diff to axle housing interface (remove diff, clean surface, apply RTV, reassemble)
3. The pinion seal (that would take some work to repair, but not impossible)
You'll want to check you oil level frequently on your drive. Those gears will wear really fast once oil level gets down. Lot's of heat, wear... and eventual failure (possible lockup, although a little unlikely).
I guess you want to check the area and make sure the source of the leak isn't from a crack or other damage. Just to be safe.
Edit: Mudhippy beat me to it. He must type faster.
#5
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#10
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Thread Starter
Well, I cleaned the differential and axle off, and drove it around for a little bit. gonna check where it's leaking from. I am going to go check how much fluid is in there. Will it mess anything up by topping off the fluid, and what weight should I get ?
#11
Contributing Member
You can put to much in there, so just fill until it comes out the fill hole. You might be able to cheat a little because of your leak and add some "extra", but don't go crazy.
While you are at it... make sure your breather is free and working correctly.
#12
Supposed to be 80w or 80w-90 GL-5(above 0deg.F), 90w GL-5(under 0deg.F), but you don't know what's in there. So, even though it would be a good thing to do for the short term/emergency situation, I also say drain and fill it now, then keep the 1/2 quart extra for the emergency or top off.
Last edited by MudHippy; 06-19-2007 at 02:27 PM.
#13
Here's my problem
This is the same scenario- I have the pool under my axle and on my muffler, driveshaft, and gas tank skid plate. I thought originally that it was a pinion seal at the output on the rear of the transfer case. In order to get to the bottom of this problem faster, I wanted to throw up some pics and see if anyone has suffered this exact same problem. Is it as easy as removing the diff and making a new seal? From the looks of it, it is around where my diff meets the axle housing. But, with the splatter of it all, does anyone have an idea? The gear oil stinks and is all over my brake lines on the axle and had covered a Uhaul trailer and my tailgate-this stuff smells
#15
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Location: Solano Co, CA Originally a North Idaho Hick
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That's a pinion seal.... Check that your diff breather is not plugged. I had the same thing and as soon as I cracked my fill bolt to top it off it went Pffffffffffff. My rear diff was pressurized from the diff breather being plugged and it blew the pinion seal.
#16
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yeah, that's what mine looked like when the pinion seal let go. I'm not sure what caused mine but replacing the pinion seal fixed it. it probably was the diff breather now that I think about it...
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