2002 Rear-end Leak

[JoshMcMadMac]

I have a 2002 Mountaineer with a rear-end leak. It is coming from the front of the differential, so I am assuming it is the pinion seal. From looking around, it seems like all the suggestions sound about the same as this:
http://sn95forums.com/index.php/topic,40755.0.html

Any other advice? Is it really safe/reliable to reuse the retaining nut? I think it would be easiest to drive the rear wheels onto ramps...is there any reason to need the rear wheels free? Should I be looking for anything else that might be going bad and causing this, like the u-joint?

 

[jasongt06]

I never reuse an old pinion nut because they are only like $9.00 to replace. But, I have seen plenty of people reuse them and as long as you are putting red locktite on the nut you should be ok.

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

I never reuse an old pinion nut because they are only like $9.00 to replace. But, I have seen plenty of people reuse them and as long as you are putting red locktite on the nut you should be ok.

Aren't there other implications to replacing it, like not getting the proper torque?

 

[jasongt06]

Well of course you must get it torqued properly, but I was simply stating the reason that i never reuse an old one.

 

[matt0248]

When I do pinion seals I mark the u-joint/driveshaft flange to the pinion and the nut to the flange. Use red loctite when going back together...good to go.

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

Any suggestions on where I can find the parts? Any part numbers, like for the sleeve, that I can look for? Is there a good place to get the additive for the limited-slip?