Front Diff leak and burning smell in 4x4

[pugsy]

I have a leak coming from the front diff - where the front driveshat goes into the differntial. It doesn't leak in normal driving, but when i put in 4x4 it will drip for a couple days after.

Last week I was driving in the snow in 4x4 and it felt like something was holding me back so I let off the gas and it really slowed on it's own. When I got to a stop, I smelt a burning smell through my vents. I thought it was one of the auto hubs hydro locking up as I couldn't get the hubs unlocked by reversing. Anyhow, after enough reversing and fwd. motion, they unlocked and I've been driving in 2x4 since.

Today I got under and took a look around. The auto hubs lock and unlock okay now and I engaged the 4x4, drove a small distance and backed up and they unlocked okay. However, it sounds really rough when in 4x4 - I've since topped up the diff fluid, it was about 1.5 quarts low, but still sounds rough? (I was going about 60 mp/h in 4x4 with the hubs locked in when i felt this holding back sensation and burning smell - I'm hoping that was the problem....too fast in 4x4)

Anyhow...how do you suppose I can fix that leak so I don't run low on front diff oil?
Also, any other advice on the 4x4 system is much appreciated. Do's, Don'ts, etc.
Thanks!!

 

[IZwack]

You need to replace the front differential's pinion seal -- search for it, its been covered a few times.