Leaky Differential - I Think
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Bangor ME
Leaky Differential - I Think
Bought my car about a week and a half ago, and I've put about 400 miles on it. It hadn't leaked any fluids until I left it for about 3 days and came back. Lo and behold: fluid on the ground near the back of the car. I think it's gear oil from the differential but I can't tell for certain. Can't ram my head underneath the car to see very well.
Why did it start leaking all of a sudden? How much fluid loss should I start to be concerned about? How can I add more? And if I have the dealership take care of it (since I know this is an issue with these cars,) how much can I expect to pay? Thanks.
Why did it start leaking all of a sudden? How much fluid loss should I start to be concerned about? How can I add more? And if I have the dealership take care of it (since I know this is an issue with these cars,) how much can I expect to pay? Thanks.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
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From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
This is a common issue, normally the driver's side outputshaft seal and the diff side cover o-ring. There are photos and more on this site that explain in detail the process. The seals if you do the work will set you back about $40 plus the cost of the diff fluid. It took me about two hours to replace the two seals and refill the diff.
Eric D
Eric D
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: laredo texas
i kinda had the same problem skeld, another partner told me, the systen releases pressure after "spirited driving", i have the f45 control and had it on performance setting for two days. anyways, i freaked out, cuz it had two dime size drops on the floor and sway bar. i cleaned it, thinking i was gonna have the shaft seal problem and havent seen the leaks anymore. i hope mine just released pressure. if urs is constant it can be the shaft seal closer to the driver's side of the differential. im still also learning about this and am taking a look at mine. i sure hope i dont have to tackle this any time soon, but it does happen to these cars. theres some bulletins also, just search it and u can get more info. good luck and hope it doesnt get worse for u. i also hear it can prob. cost from 300 to 500 at dealerships. 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 176
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From: Bangor ME
If I had a lift and a nice set of tools I would probably be braver working on cars, but I hate doing the whole jack-stand bit and worrying about the car falling and damaging me or itself or my garage! 
$300 to $500 isn't as bad as I thought. I drove the car for about 30 miles today and then it's been parked for about 7 hours now and it's not leaking. Hopefully that doesn't mean it ran out of fluid.
What is the volume of fluid in the differential? A quart or something?
$300 to $500 isn't as bad as I thought. I drove the car for about 30 miles today and then it's been parked for about 7 hours now and it's not leaking. Hopefully that doesn't mean it ran out of fluid.
What is the volume of fluid in the differential? A quart or something?
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Bangor ME
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Troy MI
Another common spot is the tranny seal.
If you buy a set of Rhino ramps, you can safely back the car up onto them.
That should give you enough room to take a peak under there.
Buy some brake cleaner while you are at it. Spray the whole area down so it is nice and clean. Then you can see where the fluid is coming from.
If it is the tranny seal it will be right in the middle of the tranny. If it is the diff seals on the sides, it should leak from where the axels enter the diff.
I think the fluid is Red in both the diff and the tranny...
If you buy a set of Rhino ramps, you can safely back the car up onto them.
That should give you enough room to take a peak under there.
Buy some brake cleaner while you are at it. Spray the whole area down so it is nice and clean. Then you can see where the fluid is coming from.
If it is the tranny seal it will be right in the middle of the tranny. If it is the diff seals on the sides, it should leak from where the axels enter the diff.
I think the fluid is Red in both the diff and the tranny...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Bangor ME
Another common spot is the tranny seal.
If you buy a set of Rhino ramps, you can safely back the car up onto them.
That should give you enough room to take a peak under there.
Buy some brake cleaner while you are at it. Spray the whole area down so it is nice and clean. Then you can see where the fluid is coming from.
If it is the tranny seal it will be right in the middle of the tranny. If it is the diff seals on the sides, it should leak from where the axels enter the diff.
I think the fluid is Red in both the diff and the tranny...
If you buy a set of Rhino ramps, you can safely back the car up onto them.
That should give you enough room to take a peak under there.
Buy some brake cleaner while you are at it. Spray the whole area down so it is nice and clean. Then you can see where the fluid is coming from.
If it is the tranny seal it will be right in the middle of the tranny. If it is the diff seals on the sides, it should leak from where the axels enter the diff.
I think the fluid is Red in both the diff and the tranny...
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16