Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Diff leaking, is it only a seal?

[johncameron]

How much is this gonna cost#@$%!



When I arrived home last night after towing 6k I smelled oil. This morning I realized I had undercoated my truck.



Is it a big job?



TKS, John

 

[BJMarshall]

I have seen several leak like this and the main problem was the vent was stopped up. Replacing the seal won't fix it if it is the vent. Check to make sure the pinion bearings are tight. That will cause the seal to fail also.

 

[AfterBurner]

That's exactly how mine looks right now! threw oil all over the trailer. It took a quart of fluid and was a little closer to the plug... whats the best way to fix this?

 

[johncameron]

I've got the parts but the size of the nut is HUGE! The biggest one we had was 1. 5" and it wasn't even close! Does anyone know what size it is.



John

 

[DPike]

I don't remember what size the nut is, but Snap-on makes a tool that mulitplies the torque by about 16x, so a little pull on a 1/2" drive ratchet took the nut right off on mine. Getting that off, and torqued back on was the only hard part, if you don't have access to that tool.