About a month ago I changed the fluid in my rear diff. Today I noticed that the diff is wet. It has two drain plugs, one on the bottom for draining and one in the middle for filling. They both seem to be tight. Also, the diff is wet to the top. Is it possible I introduced a leak by changing the fluid?
differential leak after fluid change
- Thread starter joaks
- Start date
- Status
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2009
- Messages
- 9,581
well if you used rtv and missed a spot when applying it or you didn't let it dry long enough before filling it up it could leak.
I didn't open the diff, just the drain plugs.
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2009
- Messages
- 9,581
oh my bad. I didn't realize. There is only a few places where a leak can occur. the drain/fill plugs, pinion seal leak, and the rear cover.
Could you have overfilled and damaged the diff cover gasket?
So it looks like there should be a breather on the top of the diff. Not sure why it would care if I changed fluid, but maybe??
Originally Posted By: NMBurb02
Could you have overfilled and damaged the diff cover gasket?
It shouldn't be too overfilled, if at all. I filled using the upper drain plug and too much excess would drain out. I did try to fill as much as I could though.
Could you have overfilled and damaged the diff cover gasket?
It shouldn't be too overfilled, if at all. I filled using the upper drain plug and too much excess would drain out. I did try to fill as much as I could though.
JHZR2
Staff member
Did you replace the gaskets/crush washers on the plugs?
No crush washers on the back (I checked with the dealer also on that).
Some diffs, the proper level is a certain measurement below the fill plug. You might check the manual or do some checking.
I felt around up there and it seems that the breather is missing. Assuming it is, do I need to change the fluid again after driving through a lot of rain? No breather would mean an open hole on the top of the differ.
Not sure on any of this btw.
Not sure on any of this btw.
As far as water goes, drive at speed for at least a few minutes and then dribble out a little bit of gear oil. If it looks cloudy or otherwise doesn't look as you expect your gear oil to look that would be an indication that you've likely picked up some water. If it looks like the nice fresh clear lube you just put in there you should be cool.
+1 for the top breather.
- Status
