Front Differential Leaking around Driveshaft

Your pinion seal is leaking. Is it still under warranty? If so, let the dealer fix it. If not, we can talk about what it takes to change it yourself, if desired.

It has 37,000 miles on it. :(

I do have the extended warranty, but I'd prefer to fix it myself since the dealer mechanics cause more problems than they solve.

So, lay it on me. What's involved?

Craig C.

No way it should be leaking so soon. You need to get it inspected and repaired under warranty if possible and they usually last much much longer than that.

----------------- The SnoMan

7/70 powertrain? I think that was still in place for '04?

Okay... but it ain't pretty. The 'official' way to do it is to remove the driveshaft (obviously - but mark it's relationship to the pinion flange so you can put it back the same way), then remove the hub bearings and pull the axles. Measure the rotating torque of the pinion nut with an inch-pound torque wrench (must be a beam or dial type), and record. Hold the flange with some type of fixture, and back off the pinion nut (an air impact gun works best). Pull the flange out with a puller or slide hammer. Remove the seal, and replace with a new one. Apply a light coat of grease to the seal lip, and re-install the flange (tap it in lightly, just enough so that you can catch the threads of the pinion with the nut). Clean the pinion threads with brake cleaner, and put a little red Loctite on the threads. Put the nut on, and tighten it - then check your rotating torque again. Continue tightening, a little at a time, and checking, until you get 3-5 in.lbs. over your initial reading. Be sure to spin the flange around, back and forth, to seat the bearings before reading the torque.

Once that's done, re-install the axle shafts, bearings, etc. etc., and driveshaft.

Sounds like fun, doesn't it?

Quick update ...

I took it in to the dealer. It was indeed, a leaking pinion seal. The

7/70 apparently has a $100.00 deductible. Since I had 37000 miles, they split that with me ... so I paid $50.00.

Craig C.

$50 very well-spent :)

I'm a little confused about why you think you can fix it better than the the dealer and then you how to do it. Then after Tom goes through a (as usual) generous, lengthy, detailed and accurate how-to, you take it to the dealer anyway.

You paid for the warranty in the purchase price of the vehicle. Why would you even think of doing it yourself? Especially since you don't know how to do it.

John did opine:

Get use to it, it only gets worse with age.

to do it. Then >after Tom goes through a (as usual) generous, lengthy, detailed and accurate how-to, you take it >to the dealer anyway.

Well, if you read what I wrote, I was under the impression that it was already out of warranty. Since it wasn't, and the instructions were a bit involved, I decided to take it in to the dealer. However, the instructions will not go to waste, for I have printed them out and framed them so that when my truck is no longer under warranty, I can fix it myself.

And yes ... I can do a better job, as a usual rule, than the dealer and I have many examples to prove it.

Now, what *I* am confused about is why *you* feel the need to mouth off to me about something that clearly is of no concern or bother to you in the first place?

Craig C.