Changed out pinion seal

[wander2039]

Have a 65ish chevy pickup-bed trailer that I use on occasion. Has the 12 bolt axle under it. Really never thought about checking the diff fluid till a few weeks ago. Bone dry due a pinion seal leaking found that out later talk about a mess. Only holds a quart and half to begin with. Checked all the gears no pitting only a good layer of sludge on the bottom, didn't check the wheel bearings. Been in the family over ten years probably been dry way before then. In use as trailer axle is lube even needed? Replace the seal and buttoned er back up with 80w90 so hoping no more leaks.

 

[Gary Allan]

It's probably fine being a "follower" with no load other than what the axle bearings see, but I would think a pair of welded spindles would be much lighter.

 

[My442]

If you did not set the pinion preload, then there is a good possibility that the repair won't last long.

 

[Dualie]

since your not transmitting power through the pinion just remove it, plug the hole and re-fill the diff.

 

[wander2039]

Thought about getting rid of the pinion but figured it was easier and possibly cheaper to keep it. The seal cost $3ish. If it last 5k that'll probably be the end of trailer or the axle would be replaced by then.