2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Pinion Seal Leaking?

[Nickaru]

My 2001 3500 doesn't get used much as is mostly the tow vehicle for my 40 foot tow hauler.

I used the truck to tow my trailer this last week for a little get away. When we came back home and I parked the truck in the shop, I noticed an oil leak at the back of the truck the next day. When I crawled under the truck, oil appeared to be sprayed everywhere from the pinion seal area.



GREAT!



What would cause this suddenly? I changed to Amsoil HD gear oil about 6 months ago and made the same trip with truck and trailer two times on that oil change.



Does the pinion seal leak indicate a bearing going bad?

I found a previous discussion on here about the 500 foot lbs to torque the pinion nut. I'm thinking of taking it to the shop that did my gears a few years back.

 

[JMcCoy]

It probably just means the seal is bad. If it sits unused for a while, they sometimes tear when you use it. Just impact the yoke off, replace the seal, and impact it back on. Your average 1/2 inch impact gun will not change the setting in the cruch sleeve. Good luck.

 

[mwilson]

Also check the vent, maybe spiders or mud daubers have plugged it up. That will make them fling gear oil all over the place as the pressure has to come out somewhere. Where you truck sits a lot it could have happened.



Mike.

 

[Nickaru]

I'll check the vent tube. Thanks for that information.



I'll try the new seal and impact gun. I've heard about the crush sleeve with torque issue.



Thanks for that info also.

 

[dresslered]

Any luck with your fix?



I have been limping along with mine (basically the same truck) for a couple of years. However, this last weekend, I had to add a whole quart (I have a high capacity Mag Hytec) just to bring the level up to the minimum mark. The worst part of this is I have always used LE607 and that stuff is like syrup and has totally covered the bottom of my truck. Does anyone know if there is a better aftermarket seal available. Apparently this is real common in these trucks.

 

[Bob4x4]

A pinion seal that lives 10 years in a hd is not bad

 

[dresslered]

A pinion seal that lives 10 years in a hd is not bad

Yeah, but I stopped looking under the truck 2-years ago.

 

[Bob4x4]

Yeah, but I stopped looking under the truck 2-years ago.

Lol. Understand that,my old Dana 80 could use

A hub seal right now

But that new AFE cover looks great