Rear Diff. Leak Help
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Rear Diff. Leak Help
Truck Info:
2000 F150, 4x4, 60,000M, 5.4L
Just recently I noticed a leak at the rear differential input. I'm looking for informaiton concerning this problem. Is this covered under the drive train warranty? Has anyone personally fixed this? If so any suggestions?
Brandon
2000 F150, 4x4, 60,000M, 5.4L
Just recently I noticed a leak at the rear differential input. I'm looking for informaiton concerning this problem. Is this covered under the drive train warranty? Has anyone personally fixed this? If so any suggestions?
Brandon
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From: Houston, Texas
Rear Diff. Leak Help
What do you mean by "differential input"???
If you are talking about the diff fill plug, then you probably just need to pull it and let some seep out. If this is the same fluid as fromt he factory, then they probably overfilled it......and if it has never been changed, then it needs to be done. I change the fluid in my jeep's axles about twice a year...your should probably be done every year or so. If you have never done this before, here is a link that will show you how:
http://www.stu-offroad.com/misc/diff-1.htm
I hope this helps.
If you are talking about the diff fill plug, then you probably just need to pull it and let some seep out. If this is the same fluid as fromt he factory, then they probably overfilled it......and if it has never been changed, then it needs to be done. I change the fluid in my jeep's axles about twice a year...your should probably be done every year or so. If you have never done this before, here is a link that will show you how:
http://www.stu-offroad.com/misc/diff-1.htm
I hope this helps.
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From: Houston, Texas
Rear Diff. Leak Help
Ahh......maybe that is what he meant. Pinion seals are easy to replace....just hafta be careful if it has a crush sleeve. However, a leaky pinion is usually indicative of other problems....like bent driveshaft for example. If that's where it is leaking from, I'd take it into the stealership.
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Rear Diff. Leak Help
Thank JermayH for the link. It give be a better understanding.
I notice a noise coming from the rear of the truck while making sharp turns. I took a look and found that there was a leak where the drive shaft meets the rear diff. I'm not sure how long it's been leaking so I added some fliud last night.
I may have already damaged the rear diff. becuase the fluid smelled bad. I found some graphite grey grease on the inside of fill plug. Any idea what it may be?
I've never changed the rear fliud before.
Dalton
I notice a noise coming from the rear of the truck while making sharp turns. I took a look and found that there was a leak where the drive shaft meets the rear diff. I'm not sure how long it's been leaking so I added some fliud last night.
I may have already damaged the rear diff. becuase the fluid smelled bad. I found some graphite grey grease on the inside of fill plug. Any idea what it may be?
I've never changed the rear fliud before.
Dalton
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From: Houston, Texas
Rear Diff. Leak Help
Dalton, where the driveshaft goes into the diff is called the pinion. How bad is the leak? Leave a puddle on the ground?
As for the metal shavings on the fill plug.....those are not good......however the fill plug probably has a magnet on the inside to attract those metal shavings....and I imagine that after 60K miles, some would occur. Just change the fluid by the methods in the article posted above and see if that helps with the whine in the axle (I bet it will) and dont overfill the diff as this might be what is causing your leak.
As for the metal shavings on the fill plug.....those are not good......however the fill plug probably has a magnet on the inside to attract those metal shavings....and I imagine that after 60K miles, some would occur. Just change the fluid by the methods in the article posted above and see if that helps with the whine in the axle (I bet it will) and dont overfill the diff as this might be what is causing your leak.
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Rear Diff. Leak Help
Thanks for the clarification. There was no dribs or puddles but there was seepage around the pinion. I'm worried that there is a leak around the pinion (Is there a gasket at the pinion?) and fluid will continue to leak out.
I appreciate the information.
Dalton
I appreciate the information.
Dalton
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Rear Diff. Leak Help
There is sort of a gasket......but it is a bitch to replace. If it is not leaving a puddle, I'd be inclined to say that they just overfilled the diff. The factory probably uses a pressurized gun to pump fluid in, and since the fluid is pretty thick, it is easy to overfill.
I'd drain and fill it if I were you....do it yourself...make sure it is done right.
As for the fluid smelling bad.....most gear oil is made from whale blubber.......so hell yeah it smells bad!
I'd drain and fill it if I were you....do it yourself...make sure it is done right.
As for the fluid smelling bad.....most gear oil is made from whale blubber.......so hell yeah it smells bad!
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From: BC, Canada
Rear Diff. Leak Help
Leaking pinion seals are quite common. It isnt too hard to replace but you can do damage if you're not sure what you're doing. The pinion bearing preload is set with a crush sleeve. Either overtightening or undertightening the pinion nut can cause the bearings to fail.
If you're not sure about doing the job I would recommend taking it in and getting it done. It is about an hour's labor and the seal is probably not more than $10 or so. They will also top up the oil so there might be a charge for that too.
The metal you found on the fill plug magnet is normal. Like Jeremy said it would be a good idea to change the oil in the diff. If you have limited slip make sure you add a bottle of friction modifier to the oil. Without it you will get a chattering noise when you turn sharp at low speeds.
If you're not sure about doing the job I would recommend taking it in and getting it done. It is about an hour's labor and the seal is probably not more than $10 or so. They will also top up the oil so there might be a charge for that too.
The metal you found on the fill plug magnet is normal. Like Jeremy said it would be a good idea to change the oil in the diff. If you have limited slip make sure you add a bottle of friction modifier to the oil. Without it you will get a chattering noise when you turn sharp at low speeds.
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Rear Diff. Leak Help
Thank again for the info.
I'm having difficulty finding the correct fluid for the rear diff. There's a shipment coming in this week.
Racerguy, what additional information do you have the chattering noise during sharp turns? I found the leak after I notice the noise you mentioned. I added some 85W-140 fluid last Friday because there was not any 75W-140 fluid available. Do you think adding friction modifier was help or have I damage the limited slip?
Dalton
I'm having difficulty finding the correct fluid for the rear diff. There's a shipment coming in this week.
Racerguy, what additional information do you have the chattering noise during sharp turns? I found the leak after I notice the noise you mentioned. I added some 85W-140 fluid last Friday because there was not any 75W-140 fluid available. Do you think adding friction modifier was help or have I damage the limited slip?
Dalton
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From: BC, Canada
Rear Diff. Leak Help
I think the 85W140 will be fine in your diff.
If adding friction modifier doesn't help then the limited slip clutches might be damaged. Usually it will help though. Sometimes it takes a few days of driving for the friction modifier to get through everything and to make it quieter.
If adding friction modifier doesn't help then the limited slip clutches might be damaged. Usually it will help though. Sometimes it takes a few days of driving for the friction modifier to get through everything and to make it quieter.
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