If she ain't leaking......rear Diff

[jsoto]

What camp do you sit on.

Rear dif DS output seal has been weeping for as long as 2-3 years if I can count. Weeping as it just keeping that wet. Stains are now appearing and it looks to be the originating fromcover gasket so both new DS seal and cover gasket needs some R&R.


PS is dry as a bone. Debating since I'm getting dirty, should I proactively tough the PS seal

[wpoll]

DS = drivers side? PS = passenger side? Just checking, as I was reading them as drive shaft and power steering, which made no sense!

If you can change the seal an gasket without dropping the diff, then maybe leave the good one alone but if you have to drop the diff out (which involves pulling the axles), then you'll need to replace both output seals and probable the input one too...

[jsoto]

DS - Drivers Side/ Left output. It's been weeping for at least 2-3-3 1/2 years ? But now, it's leaving drips. I've yet to do a wipe, but based on the pooling, it looks like it's coming from the rear cover though. So I do plan to do rear cover and at least the Left Side seal.

I have to get back under just to see if I have access without need to drop stuff.....

[jsoto]

Eh. Decided to leave right seal alone. Since fluids are being swapped, decided to tackle the DS seal even though the primary root cause is just the rear cover. In eyeballing access, looks like the PS seal is much easier whereas on the DS, things will need to be dropped. Oh well, at least I there is a extra day for Labor day to tackle this

[oldskewel]

Yeah, no need to worry about that leaking seal when you've got those issues with the driveshaft and power steering.

I would just make sure I kept the level topped up, and measure how fast it is dropping. At some point on older cars, managing leaks is the most efficient solution, vs. fixing everything to keep things dry.

[jsoto]

Oldskewel

DS= Drives Side (left output seal)
PS=Passenger Side (right output seal)

The root cause on my drips is the rear cover. Just started seeing drops on the floor. And it was not like a drip or two....one day there was nothing, following was like 8" round stains !
I've known my DS seal has been weeping for at least 2-3 years. Been observing it, but no stains on floor till the rear gasket decided to go

[oldskewel]

Thanks for the extra clear clarification. I had originally been confused like @wpoll was, but saw the explanation earlier.

So my first sentence was a joke, but the second sentence is my actual advice, knowing your driveshaft and PS are good.

But this is definitely a preference thing. E.g., depends whether you care about leaving drip marks where you park it. But regardless of preference, if you don't repair it, definitely keep it from running dry.

Good luck with it.

[jsoto]

On a flight tomorrow, back home just in time for a 3 day break.

I eyeballed it before I left but did not go under the car
For those in the know, is there enough access to deal with the rear cover or will I need to drop it.

[jsoto]

Back home today. Boy. Looks to be at least a solid half days work for this weekend warrior. Gotta come off.

[Russianblue]

is there a DIY on this board for replacing the seals/rear gasket, on car/off car etc? do people just use RTV on the rear cover now? haven't they done away with the paper gaskets?