I posted last weekend about the rear pinion seal leaking. I've got an appointment on Monday but need a longer trip today to go get some show goats. I have been watching it all week with work trips and it's leaking slowly. I just took the fill bolt out and some is still leaking out of the fill hole so it's good at the moment. Just bought a small bottle in case it gets noisy but how risky is it to use it for a 5 hour trip (round trip) while it's got a small leak?

 

Is it seeping or dripping?

 

If it gets noisy, it is too late to add lubricant... Chances are you could run it for months like it is and never do any damage. If it was pouring out on the floor that would be different.

 

Bring the fluid and keep an eye on it, get the goats.

 

Make sure it's full before you leave. Drive to get goats and check it there. Add if needed, drive home and check it again.

 

Had a Ford 5-speed transmission that leaked. Lost about a pint in 6 months. You'll be fine.

 

Thanks for the quick responses! It's seeping now but not enough to sling it like it did when I first noticed it. It's overfull still now where it comes out quickly when bolt is taken out even when cold from sitting 12 hours.

Thanks again guys! Got my supplies and will head out.

 

Seep no big deal.

If its out of warranty see if you can jump up one weight in your climate; worked on my dodges.

 

Goats can always pull you home.

Some leaks like this do nothing more than coat everything with some gear lube.

Watching it can keep it going for years.

 

It was over-filled before, so I bet once the level comes down where it is supposed to be it won't leak much anymore.
Unless it is dripping pretty steadily, it would take a very long time and many miles to get so low it would hurt anything.

 

It seems to be really hard to overfill one but I guess it's possible but you're right this one was definitely overfield. I guess if it's on an extreme angle it would probably wouldn't be that hard to overfill

 

Some people can mess up anything, who knows who last touched it.

 

Just keep any eye on it and you'll be ok as long as the issue is just the seal and not a failing bearing that is taking the seal out. Back when I drove truck over the road you just couldn't drop everything and run to a repair shop for every little leak so I finished a few weeks out with leaky seals and never had any issues other than needing to clean up a grimey mess.