Differential leak repair?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
Differential leak repair?
I recently had my diff rebuilt. The side yokes needed to be replaced, so I got the yokes replaced, and had the diff completely rebuilt.
The rebuilder commented on how thick the fluid was in the diff, he thought maybe someone had put it in to keep the noise down, I think I may have found the real reason.
After I got the diff back, and put into place, I noticed it was leaking pretty good. I just got finished pulling it, and this is what I found. There appears to be a pinhole size hole. I'm guessing it didn't leak before because of the thick fluid in it, but now that that fluid has been replaced, it's leaking.
I don't think that this would be a structural problem like a crack would be, so is there any way I can patch this? I don't know what caused the hole, the rebuilder didn't mention finding any other issues when he opened it up, only that the fluid was thicker than anything he had seen before.
If I can't patch it, can I put in thick fluid like was in it before, to keep it from leaking?
The rebuilder commented on how thick the fluid was in the diff, he thought maybe someone had put it in to keep the noise down, I think I may have found the real reason.
After I got the diff back, and put into place, I noticed it was leaking pretty good. I just got finished pulling it, and this is what I found. There appears to be a pinhole size hole. I'm guessing it didn't leak before because of the thick fluid in it, but now that that fluid has been replaced, it's leaking.
I don't think that this would be a structural problem like a crack would be, so is there any way I can patch this? I don't know what caused the hole, the rebuilder didn't mention finding any other issues when he opened it up, only that the fluid was thicker than anything he had seen before.
If I can't patch it, can I put in thick fluid like was in it before, to keep it from leaking?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
I agree, but be sure the fluid is not on that side of the case when you do the deed and clean with acetone or lacquer thinner before applying the JB weld. You could even dimple the area with a stone and lay the JB flush to the case. It will be good as new and not noticeable.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 110
From: Garland Texas
That looks like just a pinhole in the casting. Not uncommon in that area. You don't want to apply any heat there. It is right at the base of the bearing saddle and you will get some distortion. Grind it, clean it, JBWeld it.
Mike
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
You don't want to apply any heat there. It is right at the base of the bearing saddle and you will get some distortion.
