Scotty,
Can I use AT-205 in my rear differential to fix a leaky axle seal?
I have a 2005 Nissan Titan with 280k miles. Replaced the rear axle seals about 2 years ago. One of them has begun to leak again. Would it be safe for the axle/diff/seals etc. if I added some AT-205 to rejuvenate the axle seals? If not, can you recommend another product?
Sincerely,
Ronnie Howell
Palestine, Texas
Can I use AT-205 in my rear differential to fix a leaky axle seal?
AT-205 will not "fix" anything. It may help for a period of time or may not work at all. If you use it be sure to adjust the dosage. (The full bottle is intended for typical engine oil capacity.)
can you recommend another product?
New seals are the only real fix.
replace the seals with good quality ones. They're not that expensive. while you're there check the bearing condition.
If it's leaking again after a mechanic replaced the seals only two years ago, the mechanic most likely damaged seals during the installation. When I had my 1999 Ford Ranger, I requested that a transmission shop replace the pinion seal while they were rebuilding the transmission. A few months later, I noticed the pinion seal was starting to leak again. Upon further inspection, the mechanic drove the seal in too deeply, and I was out of their 90-day warranty. Inspect it, if you can.
The only reason I went to a supposedly professional mechanic is that sometimes I'm unsure of myself when I go to set stuff, like setting the preload on the axle. I have a torque wrench and I could probably do it, but failure to properly set the preload can easily destroy the axle. Shortly before the Ranger's frame cracked, I paid a local car garage my father-in-law has used for years to redo the pinion seal again. It didn't leak again for the near-year after I had them replace that seal.
