Guys, I discovered that most of my front differential fluid is now in a nice puddle on my garage floor. After further investigation, it appears that the leak is coming from one of the housing bolts.

What is the best way to fix this? Do I have to split the differential apart? I've barely put 500 miles on the truck since Christmas, so its stayed nice and warm in the garage all winter.

Could I just dab a little permatex on the threads of the bolt?

Thanks

 

Are you talking about the cover? If it's leaking out of one of those bolt holes, then yes, remove the cover, clean the surfaces, and then use permatex to put the cover back on. Be sure that the new permatex goes between the bolt hole and the housing, not around the outside. If that makes you nervous, go all the way around each bolt hole so you feel better, but make sure you get the sealant between the hole and the housing.

 

If its a D50 my 86 leaked since new. LOL Probably still leaks. Not enough to worry about though on that one.

You could try to pull the bolt and seal it I suppose. Couldn't hurt and allot easier than the alternative.

 

I think I'm going to try and remove the bolt and seal it. To my understanding you can't easily pull the cover on the D50.

The case is still full of oil, but man it only takes a little bit to make a mess. Thanks for the help.

 

I dont think just putting some on the bolt will solve your problem. There will still be a spot around the cover where it will leak. It isnt really that hard to pull the cover, plus it never hurts to change the fluid

 

I'd be trying the same thing. D50 is not like a 60 as far as the cover. My way of changing the fluid was to suck the old out with a syringe and put new in. Not like the rear where you can just remove the cover on the sterling..

 

I'd try to just seal the bolt too. Your only other option with the D50 is to pull the tires, lockouts, hubs, spindles, axle shafts, and then the whole pumpkin. Not a fun job. If you do have to pull it though, you can get a gasket for the D50, dab a little black RTV on both sides of it, and you'll get a good seal. I did that once, then ripped the whole thing out less than a year later for a D60, which is actually a third option for solving this problem.

 

Ahh see this, this i didnt know. If thats whats needed to pull the cover on a D50 then pray sealing that bolt helps lol!

 

Darin, There's a nice little flat spot on the bottom of the housing that's just about perfect for a 3/8" pipe plug. The cast is easy to drill and tap and magnetic plugs in that size are easy to come by.

 

Thanks for the help guys. What about putting a flat oring arounf the bolt? I know its not really the correct application, but it might work. The torque needed for that bolt might tear it too I guess.

 

Thanks Rodney, next change that plug will be in there. Kind of like the damn trans pan, never remember to put one in there either..

Farm, I'm thinking you'd tear an oring too. I'd try some permatex first I think.

 

Farm69
Take a look at the vent hose and see if it's plugged. If it is it could be building pressure and pushing the oil out around the bolt.

Nebraska....didn't you used to be in Iowa?

 

Hmmm... I didn't know there was a vent hose on the D50.

Yep.. I got transferred to Nebraska about a year ago.