how to repair rear differential leak

How to Fix Differential Leaks.

• 1. Reseal the Sides. When a differential fluid dripped onto the rear brakes, the sides of the differential could be leaking. Fixing this problem is ...
• 2. Replace the Pinion Seal.
• 3. Replace the Rear Differential Housing or Cover.
• 4. Use a Differential Leak Sealer.

Full Answer

How do you fix a rear differential leak?

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What would cause a rear differential to leak?

When the gasket fails, it can cause the differential to leak, which may put it at risk of running low on fluid and suffering serious damage. How do I know if my pinion seal is bad? One of the biggest signs your pinion seal is failing is it is leaking. To check for a leak, follow the drive shaft to the rear axle, then look around the yoke for fresh oil. If you notice fresh oil, you have a pinion seal leak.

What does a leak in the rear differential mean?

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1. Traces of oil on the underside of the differential One of the first symptoms of a problem with the differential gasket are traces of oil on the underside of ...
2. Puddles or drips of fluid Another symptom of bad or failing differential gaskets are puddles or drips of fluid on the ground. ...
3. Whining or howling sounds

How long can you drive with a rear differential leak?

You can now safely drive your car from 20,000 to 40,000 miles. But you need to take your car back to the mechanic for another rear differential service. The usual rear differential leaks come from are the axle seals, the rear differential cover, and the pinion seal attached to the drive shaft.

Is a rear differential leak serious?

When the gasket fails, it can cause the differential to leak, which may put it at risk of running low on fluid and suffering serious damage. Usually a bad or failing differential gasket will produce a few symptoms that can alert the driver of a potential problem that should be serviced.

How do you seal a leaking differential?

0:201:15Fix A Leaking Seal In 10 Seconds - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo don't don't start replacing seals the first thing you always check whether it be your diffMoreSo don't don't start replacing seals the first thing you always check whether it be your diff transfer. Case transmission. Whatever they're always tucked up high.

How much does it cost to fix a rear differential leak?

The average replacement cost for a whole rear differential is between $1000 and $4000. Luckily, you can just repair it or replace it with a used differential, which will decrease the costs a lot. Most differential repairs will cost between $200 and $400 to repair.

Is it hard to fix a differential leak?

The rear differential cover is typically silicone or rubber and can deteriorate and leak. It's the easiest to repair – all that's required is removing the rear differential cover, cleaning the sealing surface, and resealing the cover. It's all done in less than an hour. Rear differential pinion seal.

What happens if your differential is leaking?

The differential fluid lubricates the ring and pinion gears which transfer power from the driveshaft to the wheel axle. If your vehicle experiences differential fluid leaks, the fluid lubricating these gears will run low and as a result, the gears can be seriously damaged.

Can I drive with a rear axle seal leak?

If there is significant fluid loss, so much that it affects the transmission, the vehicle should not be driven. If the leak is small and you can't make it to an appointment for a few days, it is okay to drive your vehicle as long as you keep the transmission fluid full.

Is it worth fixing a rear differential?

The truth is that sometimes replacing your rear differential will end up costing more than your car is actually worth. But that doesn't mean you're at a total loss. You can still junk a car with broken or faulty parts—and walk away with cash for it.

How many hours does it take to replace a rear differential?

Once it begins to grind or hum, you'll have to have one or both of them replaced. Since this requires dismantling the diff, it can take as much as 5-hours to complete, meaning it's a lot more costly to do so.

How long does it take to replace rear differential fluid?

No appointment needed. Stay-in-your-car oil change in about 15 minutes.

Can rear differential cause transmission problems?

When the differential doesn't perform well, it creates metal-on-metal friction that wears down surfaces. The resulting heat weakens gears and can cause component failure and transmission problems. A bad differential makes the car harder to control turning corners, and that can be dangerous.

Where would you look for leaks coming from the differential?

2:363:36Oil Spots Under the Rear of My Car / Truck? Diagnose Differential LeaksYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd. This is the very end of your differential tube there's going to be an axial seal that's locatedMoreAnd. This is the very end of your differential tube there's going to be an axial seal that's located right on the inside portion here. If you see moisture coming along this area right there. More than

How do you fill rear differential fluid?

Step 1: Secure the vehicle on jack stands or ramps. ... Step 2: Allow time for the gear oil to completely drain. ... Step 3: Locate and remove the gear oil fill bolt.Step 4: Use a pump to slowly add the recommended type of gear oil to the differential.More items...

What happens if differential fluid leaks?

If the seal is leaking, differential fluid will be leaking from the side of the cover and draining along the bottom. The differential cover may have darkened areas.

How to tell if differential tube is leaking?

If moisture collects along the bottom of the differential tube, it can rot the tube and cause a leak. Some vehicles may have a sticker along the bottom of the differential tube that can collect moisture and cause rotting. Rot will build up underneath the sticker and sometimes if the sticker is removed, you can see the moisture and fluid seeping from the differential tube.

Why does my differential drip down?

If the center of the differential is coated in differential fluid, it’s likely because the pinion seal is leaking.

How to fix a leaking axle seal?

How to Fix an Axle Seal Leak 1 Raise and secure the vehicle with a jack and jack stands 2 Remove the wheel and brakes to get a clear view of the axle 3 Remove the differential cover 4 Loosen and remove the bolt holding the axle in 5 Remove the axle 6 Clean the area 7 Remove the axle seal 8 Replace the axle seal 9 Reinstall the axle 10 Reinstall the axle bolt 11 Replace the differential cover, brakes, and wheel 12 Refill the differential fluid 13 Take the vehicle for a test drive

What does it mean when you notice oil on the rear of your car?

If you notice oil spots underneath the rear end of your car or truck or dirt and debris is accumulating along the undercarriage, you may have a rear differential leak. This post reviews a simple process for checking the rear differential for a differential leak, pinion seal leak, or axle seal leak, and how to stop and fix it if the rear end is leaking.

How to fix a pinion seal?

General Steps for Removing the Pinion Seal. Remove the Bolts from the Driveshaft. Loosen and remove the bolts from the driveshaft. Loosen the Driveshaft. Tap the driveshaft with a rubber mallet to loosen it. Separate and Lower the Driveshaft.

Where is the pumpkin seal on a differential?

Pumpkin (left) and Pinion Seal (arrow) Start at the center of the differential. The enlarged protruding part of the differential is sometimes called the pumpkin. The front area of it where it connects to the driveshaft is the pinion seal. If there is a leak at the pinion seal, it will drip down the differential.

What is the best oil stop for differential leak?

The BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak ( https://store.gobdp.com/oil-stop-leak-49499/) would be great for stopping your differential leak. You will use one oz. of the product per quart of fluid in the system, and should expect to see results after approximately 100-200 miles of driving.

What is a Differential?

The differential in your vehicle accomplishes a variety of tasks all in a small space. The main purpose of the differential in your vehicle is to multiply the power transmission devices. Your vehicle has just one engine but must drive 2 or 4 wheels with that engine. Most four-wheel drive vehicles have a front and rear differential. For vehicles that are front wheel drive, the multiplication happens inside the transmission, which can technically be called a transaxle. A transaxle takes one input from the engine and turns it into 2 outputs, one to each of your front wheels.

What oil stop leaks on Ford Expedition?

Thank you for asking about your Ford Expedition. For a differential leak, we recommend the BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak ( https://store.gobdp.com/oil-stop-leak-49499/ ). You will be adding one oz. of the product per quart of oil in the system, and should expect to see results after approximately 100-200 miles of driving.

What oil stop leaks on Subaru Forester?

Thank you for asking about your Subaru Forester. The BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak would be the best product to use for your leaking front differential. You will use one oz. of the product per quart of fluid. Expect to start seeing results after 100-200 miles of driving.

Why does my 2013 Tundra have a leak?

In fact leak must of just started because pulling off passenger side disc caliper to adjust emergency brake shoes noticed emergency brake shoes were damp with rear end grease but not dripping out of emergency brake drum.

How does differential affect drivetrain?

The differential in your vehicle also provides another important drivetrain feature and that is providing the final drive ratio . Even with the gear reduction in your transmission, the driveshafts in your vehicle are spinning very quickly so you need one final gear reduction to reduce the speed. Differentials can reduce the driveshaft speed by half, ¾ or even up to 1/6 of the speed!

How does a 2 wheel drive vehicle work?

In the case of a 2-wheel drive vehicle that is rear wheel drive, power exits the transmission through the driveshaft and the driveshaft provides a single input into a differential. Inside the differential that single power input is split into two shafts, the axles, to supply power to both rear wheels.

How much does it cost to fix a front differential leak?

Basic front differential leak repair costs (like replacing the gasket or adjusting the backlash) will cost you between $200 and $400. If you have ignored the warning signs we mentioned above and there is a lot of damage, it will run you between $400 and $800. This price includes parts and labor.

How to tell if differential is leaking?

The best way to find a leaking differential transmission is to check around the gasket. You’ll find this on the underside of the differential housing, and if you find oil leaking from it, you have a worn-out gasket. This means your gasket is leaking fluid, and it’s only a matter of time before it turns into a bigger problem. If you have a rear diff leak, you will find the oil drips right in the middle of the two rear wheels.

What does it mean when your differential is bad?

A bad differential sounds much worse than a normally functioning one. If you hear grinding or rattling, especially from the back of your car, it could mean you have rear differential problems. Grinding or rattling coming from the front of your car could also be your transmission, but it is definitely one of the more common bad differential symptoms, and you should definitely have it looked at by a mechanic.

Why does differential oil smell?

This means that when it goes bad, it goes bad quickly, and many bad things can happen to your differential once it goes. Because it’s already thick, when it thickens even more, it heats up, and the gears have more friction, creating more heat. This will cause your differential oil to smell bad. Any time you smell burning coming from your car, it’s time to get it checked by a mechanic because it will lead to bigger issues down the road.

What happens if your differential goes out while driving?

If your differential goes out while driving, it’s bad news. You will hear a loud bang and lots of grinding noises, but on top of that, it could get you in a hazardous situation because the vehicle’s handling will be negatively affected. On top of that, you can’t drive a car with a broken differential, so you may get stranded if the differential goes out while you’re driving.

How much does it cost to replace a rear differential?

To completely replace a differential, you will spend at least $1500 and all the way up to $4000, depending on the model of your car.

What happens if you have a bad differential?

If you have badly chipped gear teeth or broken gear teeth, you will experience a skip or slip in power while driving. This gets worse the faster you drive.

What causes a rear differential to leak?

Rear Differential Leak – more commonly, the problems stem from low rear differential oil. Rear differential leaks are the culprit, either at the axle seals, the pinion seal (where the driveshaft attaches), or the rear differential cover.

How much does it cost to fix a rear differential?

Rear differential repairs can be as much as a transmission to repair or replace, up to $1500 or more . CarBrain has more than 10 years of experience buying damaged cars of all kinds, including those with rear differential problems.

What Does a Rear Differential Do?

A driveshaft connects the rear differential mechanism to the transmission or transfer case, transferring the engine’s power to the rear wheels. The rear differential’s role is simple: change the power’s direction from longitudinal (along the car) and direct it to the wheels.

What is differential side seal?

Differential side seals. These seals prevent the diff fluid from leaking onto your rear brakes. It’s more intrusive because the axle shafts must be removed. The old, leaking seals are pried out and new ones are carefully installed before the whole assembly is put together.

Why do you change the oil in a rear differential?

Every once in a while rear differential fluid replacement must be performed. The gear oil must be changed to prevent damage to the gears inside , known as the ring gear and the pinion gear.

Why do you need to replace rear differential gears?

Replacing the rear differential gears. When teeth on the gears have chipped or worn badly , they must be replaced to eliminate the noise and potential for failure. These ‘hard parts’ are the costliest components, and repairs can only get one step worse.

What is a complete rear differential replacement?

That’s when a complete rear differential replacement comes in – housing, gears, bearings, seals, and all.

What Could Make My Rear Differential Leak?

Even though your rear differential looks all solid and well sealed up, it has a couple of gaskets, seals, and joints that could come loose over time. If this happens, the gear oil within the differential will start streaming out.

Why does my differential leak oil?

Aging seals at different joints in the differential will cause leaks. Leaks will then cause the low oil level problem discussed above.

How Often Should You Service Your Differential?

If your differential isn’t damaged or leaking, you can keep on driving until your vehicle hits anywhere between 30,000 and 60,000 miles. The duration depends on your manufacturer’s specification and how hard you push your truck.

How Do I Know if My Differential Fluid is Low?

First, you can use the usual signs of a leaking differential to identify the possibility of a low level.

Can You Drive With a Leaking Differential?

You can still keep driving with a leaky rear differential as long as you have enough oil to keep the gears well lubricated.

How Much Differential Oil Do I Need?

Most differentials will need around 3 quarts of oil. After all, the differential isn’t that big and there is no reservoir for extra oil.

Where is the Differential in My Car?

Well. A differential is hard to miss. It’s a solid chunk of metal assembly running across your rear or front axle. It has a huge pumpkin-like protrusion towards its center.

How to stop rear differential from leaking?

Resealing the Sides. This is the way to rear differential stop leak when the fluid drips onto the rear brakes. The task is time-consuming because you have to remove the axle shafts. Then, you have to take the damaged seals out and install the new ones. Put together the shafts to finish the task. Take professional help if necessary.

What to do if differential cover is leaking?

Replacing the Cover. If the cover is leaking or showing deterioration due to regular wear and tear, changing it will bring the differential to the previous condition. The cover is made of either rubber or silicone and replacing it is quite easy. Just don’t forget to clean the sealing surface before resealing the new one.

How to replace a differential pinion seal?

There is a yoke at the front side of the differential, and the surrounding seal can wear out over time. In order to replace the seal, you have to dislodge the yoke and pry out the seal. After that, place a new seal and then attach the yoke to its components.

How to fix a leaky differential fluid?

Instead of spending your time finding the leak source, add some sealer to the differential fluid through the oil fill plug. There are several high-quality leak sealer products in the market. It will repair the leak and restore the seal to the previous condition while you drive.

What does it mean when you find a differential leak?

Whether the vehicle is a rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, finding leaked fluid in the rear of it indicates a differential leak. The fluid looks like motor oil but has a distinct smell.

How do you know if there is a leak in your differential?

How do you realize that there is a leak in the differential? You will find grayish or light brown oil under the backside of your vehicle.

What is differential gear?

A differential is a gear train featuring three shafts. This component connects to the transmission or transfer case through the driveshaft, transmitting the power of the engine to the wheels. A differential helps with balance during turns. (Photo Source: cashcarbuyer)