Front Diff. Problem!

[snowboard15]

Yesterday i took my 92 XLT in to get 33x12.5 Xterrains mounted on my old rims, balanced and put on my truck, and get the alignment done. Before i took it in i know for a fact it wasnt leaking. I wnet to pick it up and they told me my differential was leaking. What could have happened. What should i do to fix this??? ANy help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys

 

[JDraper]

They may be trying to rip you off. An old trick used to be the mechanic putting a little motor oil on the shocks (or diff), and then saying that they needed to be replaced because they leak. If you have fluid on the diff, clean it off thoroughly and drive it for a while to see if it really is leaking. If it is, figure out where it's coming from (axle seals, diff cover, etc. ) and then we can help with the fix.

 

[snowboard15]

Ya, well it really is leaking i didnt think so at first but it is leaking and its notjus a drop or two. It actually looks like its leaking from the rear of the differential, not the front. What would have caused the leak all of a sudden like that? Is running 33s without new gears reallly bad. I dont know too much bout diffs but like i said its from the back part of it and its leaking onto the crossmember its supported by i guess. Dont really know too much bout this. IF anyone could help that would be grea. Thanks

 

[jimbo74]

jdraper, the shop isnt trying to rip him off..... i work for the same company and the manager at that store was my asst manager for a long time.. he is a very honest guy... i havent seen the leak personally yet as i have been really busy at my work, and only saw jon's truck on the alignment rack when i drove by for a minute to pick up some tires for my store.... i think it is odd that it jsut started leaking on its own as well....

 

[unclemeat]

The rear diff pinion seal on my 91 X started leaking last year. It seemed like it just started all of a sudden. It could be coinsidence.

 

[JDraper]

I take it this is the front differential you're talking about. Is it leaking from where the driveshaft meets the differential (pinion seal) or where the differential is bolted to the front axle arm?

BTW, running 33's shouldn't cause this to happen.

 

[jimbo74]

jdraper, from what jon has described to me, it seems to be leaking from the beam not the pinion on the front d35.... i have not seen it in person yet though... wednesday was my last day off and i was very busy that day..... i also agreed with running 33s with a d4 wouldnt cause the diff to start leaking....

 

[JDraper]

If it's leaking from the joint between the beam and the pumpkin, then it most likely needs to have a new gasket (Or RTV) between the beam and the axle.