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.

 

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

 

Probibly #2

my rear is leaking VERY badly, got a gasket from toyota but have to get somone to help me put it in

 

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.

 

I'd use RTV instead of the diff gasket. Just my preference as it is easier IMO and works better.

 

How about using the gasket and some RTV together?

 

No need...one or the other.

RTV and a gasket is like putting chocolate syrup on an ice cube...what's the point?

 

I have always used RTV and a Gasket, and has worked great for me on several occasions. Most people get into trouble by over tighting the bolts.

 

I do straight RTV, and sparingly I might add, no need to make a mess of things. Never had a leak from it used there by itself.

 

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 ?

 

If topping off, you should match the weight or type that is already in there. If not sure, you might think about draining and starting over.

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

From the pictures it looks like you are leaking at the rear diff/d-shaft connection from the slung oil in that area. The rear of the t-case looks dry as a bone.

 

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.

 

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...

 

get some degreaser and clean the whole area. makes finding the source much much easier