Rear Differential Leak

[Phildeez]

Good Afternoon. My rear Differential leaks and will not hold proper fluid amount. I am not sure where to start. Droplet appear to be forming on the bottom of the pumpkin. So I'm not sure where to start to troubleshoot and replace. Where could it be leaking and how many seals are utilized? 2004 Ford Explorer 4.0 Regular Fuel. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Donystoy]

Common leaks are the seals where the axles go into the pumpkin. Maybe clean it up and try to pinpoint the area of the leak. Have had both replaced a few years ago on mine and have a very small leak again. One of the few areas on the vehicle that I leave to my mechanic.

 

[imp]

Good Afternoon. My rear Differential leaks and will not hold proper fluid amount. I am not sure where to start. Droplet appear to be forming on the bottom of the pumpkin. So I'm not sure where to start to troubleshoot and replace. Where could it be leaking and how many seals are utilized? 2004 Ford Explorer 4.0 Regular Fuel. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

@Phildeez

Pinion seal
Axle seal(s)
Cover gasket
Cracked housing

 

[Littleant]

Agree with imp. I would go with Pinion seal or cover.

 

[TechGuru]

Pinon spins way faster than the axles and is usually the first to go.

 

[Phildeez]

@Phildeez

Pinion seal
Axle seal(s)
Cover gasket
Cracked housing

Any idea if there is a "Kit" that I can replace all seals on the rear end? I haven't had any luck online.

 

[TechGuru]

Any idea if there is a "Kit" that I can replace all seals on the rear end? I haven't had any luck online.

The only kits I've seen come with new bearings too.

Just go here and start adding the seals to your cart, try to get them all from the same shipping location to save on shipping.

2004 FORD EXPLORER 4.0L V6 Drivetrain Parts | RockAuto

 

[Littleant]

What Tech said.

 

[imp]

The only kits I've seen come with new bearings too.

Just go here and start adding the seals to your cart, try to get them all from the same shipping location to save on shipping.

2004 FORD EXPLORER 4.0L V6 Drivetrain Parts | RockAuto

@TechGuru

I frown upon kits for one simple reason: Those offering them buy and supply the cheapest **** they can get, re-package it all in their kits, then pass the possibility posed by such use along to the installer.

I try to buy the best-reputationed parts, as far as such effort might go, like Timken, Motorcraft, National or Chicago Rawhide Seals, Dana parts where ever possible: Spicer Driveline U-joints, driveshafts, Spicer gears, Perfect Circle Piston Rings. In fact, my most acceptable results were with P-C "2-In 1" rings which had a molybdenum hard insert in the top ring, which seated-in within minutes and produced very long life.
imp

 

[donalds]

Doing a job like this is a pain so please buy great parts