Differential Seal/Bushing on right axle leaks.

F

Fife

Registered
While getting my 1994's transmission serviced I noticed a little fluid leaking down the side of the differential. The mechanic checked the axle and said there is wear on the bushing and seal. We checked the oil level and it was fine. The plug did have a dark pasty substance on it and he said that it was metal. He told me that this was an expensive repair. I told him I was going to let it go for a while. The car has 82K miles on it.

I was just wondering if anyone else has a leaking axle seal/bushing and how many miles you have on it and have you had any trouble or replaced it for this reason? The mechanic told me that eventually, due to excessive play, that I will probably have ring and pinion issues. I don't really plan to fix until it gets a lot worse. Just wondering how critical it is based on other's experience.

Thanks, Fife
 
The side outlets for the halfshafts are an easy repair. You don't have to open up the case or anything. Remove the wheel and spindle on that side, pop the halfshaft out and pull the old seal and bearing. Replace the bearing and seal and reassemble.

Now the pinion shaft bearing and seal is a whole 'nother story.
 
The drain plug is magnetic - what you took out. Similar to the magnet in the bottom of the transmission pan. It is there to collect those metal particles in the fluid to keep them from circulating and damaging the gears. Did you clean it before re-installing it? It doesn't necessarily mean that you are having issues - normal wear creates that. You probably simply need your fluid changed out of the diff, especially if it is original. Replace the seal/bearing that is leaking, change the fluid - and seal it back up for another 80k.
 
+1 for what Doug said. Metal on the magnet is good, in a sense, because that means its not floating around in the fluid/bearings. I imagine this may be the first time it was serviced, but by all means....don't worry about it. Diff's in these cars last a LONG time! :)

Do what JP recommended, but only if you're worried about it, I'd give it another 50k before you even notice any fluid hit the ground and I doubt the "bearing had play". ;)
 
I am surpised that it is an easy fix. I am not sure what car my mechanic changed one out on but he sure made it sound like a big/$$$ job.

I did feel some vertical play on the right side shaft and compared it to the left. The left side was tight.

I am going to change the rear end fluid at or before 100k miles. It doesn't bother me that it has a very small leak...just need to watch it so it doesn't go dry on me at some point in the future.

I will probably use the fluid called for in the manual. I plan to suck it out with my MityVac system unless there is an easier way. Let me know if you have any advice for this proceedure. Thanks for all the help.

Fife
 
I've vacuumed out differential fluid before when servicing gearboxes. It may not be 100% but certainly good enough to change the fluid. The trick is getting the suction tube to the very bottom of the carrier. Sort of tedious as well.
 
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