https://postimg.cc/BPswNYx5
https://postimg.cc/4KD0HNyS
https://postimg.cc/PLpcq8XD
https://postimg.cc/ZvcsQ8cG
Thank you very much for your help!
Eli
click the share button and then use the "Direct Link" so the images actually show up. Like this:
let us know how it goes
How do you tell if there is enough oil in the differential
there should be a check plug
and if there a leak?
it's leaking
What would be my next step?
seal it. Fill it. No biggie.
Not exactly Vancouver but close
http://www.bertstransmissions.net/
Would you still mess with it
Yes, because it's such an easy job.
Eventually it will start dripping on driveways.
And if the level ever drops too low then it's bye bye axle.
The mechanic I linked above ("Bert's", ask for Dominic) would charge somewhere around $120 to fix it.
But I would just try tightening the bolts and cleaning it up.
Which branch is he at? Vancouver? Coquitlam?
Technically, he's in Port Coquitlam.
Not sure why it says Coquitlam on the web page.
An update: I was able to open the filling bolt. Funnily enough the oil level full!
Would you still mess with it or leave it as is?
It doesn't take much lube to spatter and make a real mess. It's only going to get worse so I'd replace that differential cover gasket. My own preference is for LubeLocker reusable gaskets when available for the application, but any good gasket will do the trick. Be sure to thoroughly clean the mating surfaces. (It's a good bet the shop that previously serviced the differential didn't do that.)
Whoever serviced the rear axle did a terrible job.
If you are physically able, and you don't mind getting dirty, you can learn how to change all of the fluids in your vehicle yourself.
There are a ton of how to videos on youtube, and you will be able to begin weaning yourself off of scammer mechanics.
Have you tried just snugging up the cover bolts? That's worked for me in the past.
There's really only four places for your differential to leak. The two axle seals where the final drives go to the wheels, the pinion seal at the front where the drive shaft comes into the differential, and the cover gasket. The most gunk and buildup looks like it's on the front and bottom of the housing on yours, which would indicate either the pinion seal or gasket.
The gasket is easy to replace. It's pretty much bolt off and bolt on, providing they make a rubber gasket you can buy, and it looks like they do.
The pinion seal needs a professional.
Personally, I'd replace the gasket for good measure and if it's just seeping out of the pinion seal, I'd live with it and just check the gear oil every once in a while. My 1999 Ranger has a seeping pinion seal that I had fixed at a shop and they did a lousy job. It started seeping again right after their warranty expired. I just add oil every once in a while.
photo #2 and #3 show the pinion seal area, and it's the driest part of the whole unit, so I doubt it. I just fixed a pinion seal leak , and it doesn't look like that.
The axle seals are at the ends where the wheels are (for full and semi floating axles), so it's not that. The whole rest of the axle tube should be welded shut.
I guarantee it's the inspection cover leaking.
Probably. My Ranger gets buildup on the lower front like his does and I've seen the fluid trickle down before, so that's why I thought that. It's also 12 years old. Then again, my Catalina still has the original. I knew the axle seals were at the wheels, probably could have specified that, but thought I implied well enough that they wouldn't cause dirt to build up like this on the housing. That oil blows and flows down from the pinion to the rear cover area. The buildup on both sides of the axle are what got me thinking cover and pinion.
the front of that housing is bone dry. I would expect to see at least a snail trail leading to the drivshaft if it was a pinion seal
Yeah, I see that here. The original 5 pictures from underneath looked a lot worse toward the front. Where was this image? I must've missed it, or is this a different image? Looks wet, lol.
random internet image of pinion seal leak. I looked for the photo of my leak I took but couldn't find it.
The area I circled's what made me think a pinion seal, since that's the very last area the oil will touch before it falls off, when it comes out of the pinion. Will oil flow out of that cover and go up into that area before it falls off? The physicist in me says stuff doesn't move back upwards like that, but I suppose it's possible if it's slow enough
I see what you're getting at now. I was looking at the clumpy crud just in front of that ridge your "very wet" label is over, and the stuff in front of it. Cover is leaking. I guess that clumpy stuff is some kind of rust inhibitor or just dirt from it getting water all over it?
dirt sticks to oily surfaces and turns into grime. I guess you haven't seen many leaks before.
I know that. Haha. I guess I'm trying to understand why there's grime like that on the other side of the housing from the cover. I guess it doesn't matter.
haha yeah it's kinda all over. Looks like he drove through a pig pen.
An update: I was able to open the filling bolt. Funnily enough the oil level full!
Would you still mess with it or leave it as is?
It sounds like it may have been overfilled when the work was done, and even with the slow leak it's still showing full.
In my opinion you still need to fix the issue. The leaking is not going to stop.