Frustrating Diff problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 406
Likes: 46
From: Lebanon OH
Frustrating Diff problem
Hello, I hope someone can help me figure this out. I had the differential in my '79 rebuilt by a reputable shop. I was rebuilding the rear end in my car, so I removed the unit and brought it in. As part of the rebuild, the driver's side yoke shaft had to be replaced because the c-clip had broken and the end wore down.
After reinstalling the unit, it leaked on the side with the new yoke. I took it back and they put a new seal in it. That didn't fix the problem. So they put a different, thicker seal and roughed up the yoke shaft with fine sandpaper. They used a sealant on the seal seat, checked to make sure there was no play in the yoke that would cause it to break seal suring driving, and checked the vent tube to make sure it was clear. When the yoke shaft was installed, the seal fit snugly around it. In spite of all this, it still leaks.
I'm at a loss as to what could be the cause. Everything seems right, but obviously something isn't. Any ideas, comments, or insights are welcome. Thanks.
After reinstalling the unit, it leaked on the side with the new yoke. I took it back and they put a new seal in it. That didn't fix the problem. So they put a different, thicker seal and roughed up the yoke shaft with fine sandpaper. They used a sealant on the seal seat, checked to make sure there was no play in the yoke that would cause it to break seal suring driving, and checked the vent tube to make sure it was clear. When the yoke shaft was installed, the seal fit snugly around it. In spite of all this, it still leaks.
I'm at a loss as to what could be the cause. Everything seems right, but obviously something isn't. Any ideas, comments, or insights are welcome. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
did this reputable shop tell you the clip broke and thats what caused your side yoke to wear? usually the side yoke which is less hard than the center pin wears enough that the clip falls off, the yoke can also wear into the side of the case and that might be your leak problem...
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Hello, I hope someone can help me figure this out. I had the differential in my '79 rebuilt by a reputable shop. I was rebuilding the rear end in my car, so I removed the unit and brought it in. As part of the rebuild, the driver's side yoke shaft had to be replaced because the c-clip had broken and the end wore down.
After reinstalling the unit, it leaked on the side with the new yoke. I took it back and they put a new seal in it. That didn't fix the problem. So they put a different, thicker seal and roughed up the yoke shaft with fine sandpaper. They used a sealant on the seal seat, checked to make sure there was no play in the yoke that would cause it to break seal suring driving, and checked the vent tube to make sure it was clear. When the yoke shaft was installed, the seal fit snugly around it. In spite of all this, it still leaks.
I'm at a loss as to what could be the cause. Everything seems right, but obviously something isn't. Any ideas, comments, or insights are welcome. Thanks.
After reinstalling the unit, it leaked on the side with the new yoke. I took it back and they put a new seal in it. That didn't fix the problem. So they put a different, thicker seal and roughed up the yoke shaft with fine sandpaper. They used a sealant on the seal seat, checked to make sure there was no play in the yoke that would cause it to break seal suring driving, and checked the vent tube to make sure it was clear. When the yoke shaft was installed, the seal fit snugly around it. In spite of all this, it still leaks.
I'm at a loss as to what could be the cause. Everything seems right, but obviously something isn't. Any ideas, comments, or insights are welcome. Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 43
From: Plano TX
What redvet said. The yoke wears on the end so as it wears the yoke move more into the housing and if the wear is bad enough the u-bolts on the inner u-joint will start to cut into the housing just like a lathe. If this happens this reduces the area that the seal can sit in on the housing. Did you look at the housing to see if any material had been removed around the seal?
I've see a few 79's do this with the side yokes.
Alo check to see if the vent is open or pressure may cause fluid to get pushed through the seals when hot.
I've see a few 79's do this with the side yokes.
Alo check to see if the vent is open or pressure may cause fluid to get pushed through the seals when hot.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
That didn't fix the problem. So they put a different, thicker seal and roughed up the yoke shaft with fine sandpaper. They used a sealant on the seal seat, checked to make sure there was no play in the yoke that would cause it to break seal suring driving, and checked the vent tube to make sure it was clear. When the yoke shaft was installed, the seal fit snugly around it. In spite of all this, it still leaks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
Hello, I hope someone can help me figure this out. I had the differential in my '79 rebuilt by a reputable shop. I was rebuilding the rear end in my car, so I removed the unit and brought it in. As part of the rebuild, the driver's side yoke shaft had to be replaced because the c-clip had broken and the end wore down.
After reinstalling the unit, it leaked on the side with the new yoke. I took it back and they put a new seal in it. That didn't fix the problem. So they put a different, thicker seal and roughed up the yoke shaft with fine sandpaper. They used a sealant on the seal seat, checked to make sure there was no play in the yoke that would cause it to break seal suring driving, and checked the vent tube to make sure it was clear. When the yoke shaft was installed, the seal fit snugly around it. In spite of all this, it still leaks.
I'm at a loss as to what could be the cause. Everything seems right, but obviously something isn't. Any ideas, comments, or insights are welcome. Thanks.
After reinstalling the unit, it leaked on the side with the new yoke. I took it back and they put a new seal in it. That didn't fix the problem. So they put a different, thicker seal and roughed up the yoke shaft with fine sandpaper. They used a sealant on the seal seat, checked to make sure there was no play in the yoke that would cause it to break seal suring driving, and checked the vent tube to make sure it was clear. When the yoke shaft was installed, the seal fit snugly around it. In spite of all this, it still leaks.
I'm at a loss as to what could be the cause. Everything seems right, but obviously something isn't. Any ideas, comments, or insights are welcome. Thanks.
Well take it back to this "reputable shop" if they truely are they will take care of their work! Anything else to be said is truely guess work as we cannot see the item and everything was supposely done already!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 406
Likes: 46
From: Lebanon OH
Thanks for the responses. I suppose I should have mentioned that the diff wasn't leaking before. The old yoke was worn, and the shop did tell me it was because the clip came off. The other yoke was fine. The clip came off before the yoke wore down far enough to cause the u-bolts to touch the housing. Wouldn't you hear something like that anyway? That must make an awful racket. Anyway, the yoke was replaced during the rebuild. It seems that if the bearing was the problem, it would be leaking before I removed the differential, unless it's a coincidence that the leak started right after the rebuild. The vent tube is clear. It seems like the speedy/ready sleeve may be worth a try. Fortunately, the shop is willing to take care of the problem. Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 110
From: Garland Texas
The problem is too much metal has been ground off the side of the case. You need a minimum of .300 depth into the bore for the seal to seal to the case. A thicker seal will only make it worse. I repair these all the time. Did they replace the stub axle bearing with the correct full compliment BH2212 bearing or did they use the replacement style caged roller bearing?
Mike
Mike
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
