Diff Leak
- Thread starter Daveb
- Start date
That does not look wet but does show dry seepage. Is likely ok but the fill plug is a 3/8" drive that can be removed and use 75w-90 gear oil and squeeze some in there, on flat ground. When starts to come back out, is full. Usually, the 75w-90 container has a pointed snout that the tip gets cut off of and unscrew the cap and remove the seal. The tip will have a removeable small cap to put back on when done squirting in there. Looks like very slight pinion seal seepage and slight diff cover seepage. Kinda normal at that age.
Daveb
Active Member
Thanks for that, I will make sure of levels before I drive off
Not related to what I just told you but, on any differential, if it has a drain plug, make sure that you remove the fill plug first. If the fill plug is frozen and you have already drained the fluid, you are stuck till you get the fill plug out. IIRC, the front diff has the drain and fill plugs but the rear diff has no drain plug and requires the cover removal for draining.
stutaeng
Well-Known Member
Looks pretty clean overall. No issue with that differential. Do you know if it has the RPO code G80 locker? If so, that one requires a gear oil without any friction modifiers. Check your owners manual and glove box for the RPO codes.
Daveb
Active Member
It does have the G80, at least when it left the factory. Can’t imagine there would have been a reason to swap it out
That's pretty dry compared to mine. I found this today. 2000 w/ 140k miles.
Another job to add to the list.
Marky Dissod
Well-Known Member
If the leak is slow enough that it does not drip, isn't it a form of rust protection?
In a rust-belt state, yes, that's excellent rust protection, but also needs a good balancing act to not cause problems.
As seen in the picture, the truck is pretty clean for it Age. I'm going to replace the seal as a preventative measure. I'll also service the rear diff at the same as I truly don't know the condition of the fluid in there, nor the last time it was serviced? If ever?
While true, you still gotta keep an I on the fluid levels.
