Source of differential leak and repair advice
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Source of differential leak and repair advice
I have a 1980 and have noticed a small oil puddle under the right side of the differential. I have checked for leaks under both axles and the pinion seal and cannot see any oil. I cannot see the pinion seal but put my fingers around the front seal area and do not feel any oil. The rear spring on the right side is a bit oily and the right side exhaust pipe had some oil.
I thought the fill plug maybe leaking. I raised the car up so it was level, removed the plug and some fluid ran out, so I figured it was overfilled. I waited for all the fluid to drain, then put some thread sealer on the plug.
I used brake cleaner to remove the gear oil from the rear spring and dried everything off.
I drove the car for about a half hour around town (30 to 40 mph) and parked it overnight and no leaks.
Today I drove the car for about a half hour more steady at 45 to 55 mph and parked it.
Looked underneath and there is a small puddle in the same area. There is no oil around the fill plug, but the rear spring is oily again and the right exhaust pipe under the differential is a bit oily.
What is the source of the leak?
Can it be the gasket around the rear cover?
It is beyond my ability to pull the rear end so I would need to take it to a shop.
The car has 37000 miles.
Should I have a shop replace the rear cover gasket, axle seals and the pinion seal or have the differential rebuilt? The differential is quiet and smooth.
I thought the fill plug maybe leaking. I raised the car up so it was level, removed the plug and some fluid ran out, so I figured it was overfilled. I waited for all the fluid to drain, then put some thread sealer on the plug.
I used brake cleaner to remove the gear oil from the rear spring and dried everything off.
I drove the car for about a half hour around town (30 to 40 mph) and parked it overnight and no leaks.
Today I drove the car for about a half hour more steady at 45 to 55 mph and parked it.
Looked underneath and there is a small puddle in the same area. There is no oil around the fill plug, but the rear spring is oily again and the right exhaust pipe under the differential is a bit oily.
What is the source of the leak?
Can it be the gasket around the rear cover?
It is beyond my ability to pull the rear end so I would need to take it to a shop.
The car has 37000 miles.
Should I have a shop replace the rear cover gasket, axle seals and the pinion seal or have the differential rebuilt? The differential is quiet and smooth.
Last edited by mark79,80; 07-16-2017 at 09:58 PM.
#2
I would have them just drop it and re seal it. Inspect the yokes for wear while they are out. .030" is normal.
#4
My point is you have to drop it to change the gasket. If you drop it to fix anything, I would not rebuild it, but might as well re seal it. It's out of the car anyhow. Then, any leak , no matter where is repaired.
If you reseal the sides, you have to pull the side yokes, so check them.
Call it a Diffy tune up.
If you reseal the sides, you have to pull the side yokes, so check them.
Call it a Diffy tune up.
Last edited by Big2Bird; 07-16-2017 at 10:38 PM.
The following users liked this post:
mark79,80 (07-16-2017)
#5
Le Mans Master
It might be easier to pinpoint the leak if you clean the differential, dry it off and dust it with baby powder.
And I agree with Bird- at 37k I bet the inside of that thing looks like new. Seal it up and drive.
And I agree with Bird- at 37k I bet the inside of that thing looks like new. Seal it up and drive.
The following users liked this post:
mark79,80 (07-17-2017)
#6
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
[QUOTE=TimAT;1595159664]It might be easier to pinpoint the leak if you clean the differential, dry it off and dust it with baby powder.
And I agree with Bird- at 37k I bet the inside of that thing looks like new. Seal it up and drive.[/QUOTE
If the differential vent is plugged up, can that cause pressure to build and a leak?
Since it didn't leak on a lower speed drive, but leaked on a higher speed drive when it was a bit warmer can the differential vent be the cause?
And I agree with Bird- at 37k I bet the inside of that thing looks like new. Seal it up and drive.[/QUOTE
If the differential vent is plugged up, can that cause pressure to build and a leak?
Since it didn't leak on a lower speed drive, but leaked on a higher speed drive when it was a bit warmer can the differential vent be the cause?