Rear Differntial Pinion Seal...

[RJOL]

Noticed oil spots on my tailgate, so went underneath to take a look. Had an oil leak coming from the rear differential pinion seal (front of differential where drive shaft connects). Dealer replaced the seal under warranty. Truck has about 22,000 miles on it, with 90% dayly driving and 10% towing. Search feature isn't working, but I wondered if anyone else had experienced this failure on their newer rigs?

 

[Okie-Go]

I think I replaced mine at about 12,000 miles. Only warranty work I can recall having done. I have an 01 2500.

 

[GiesJ]

Is this part of the 3/36000 or the 100K warranty?

thanks in advance!

jason

 

[BK]

it's not an engine part, so should be 36/36K.

I've had my rear TC output seal replaced twice.

The 1st time was in only 2Kmiles, the yoke of the driveshaft was roughly machined. Dealer had to replace the driveshaft and seal.



20K miles later. . it was dripping again. . had to replace again.



Did you go to a synthetic rear end oil?



Seems there's more reported rear seals leak worse (axle tube seals mostly but some pinion seals) with some synthetic oil.

Not that it's right. . but I guess DC's tolerances cant take the more slipperly oils as apposed to the good old honey 90w



Other thing that popped into my mind. There were some loose rear end U bolts out there on the 2001 trucks I think. The ones that hold the rear to the springs. If these are loose, you will get more swing to the axle, like wheel hop. . more flex of the rear Uj at the pinion. . more stress on that bearing and seal. It will hasten the life of the seal. . as will just plain old driving in sandy condition.

Might want to just put a wrench on the nuts for the rear U bolts.

 

[nevinst]

I bought my '98. 5 used (47K miles on it) and it has leaked since before I got it. Granted, it has more miles but it looked as if it had been leaking for a long time.



I have also always had a mysterious "clunk" from the rear end when I hit even small bumps. I've changed shocks, banged, wiggled, pulled and bounced on everything possible but never have been able to find the source. I might just check the U-bolts as mentioned by BK. Maybe a problem on the earlier models? Thanks.

 

[Ramboy]

I had one pinion seal replaced at 35k under warranty. I replaced another along with the yoke at 55k. Now at 68K, this one is leaking. My leaks seem to be directly related to towing my fiver. If I don't tow, no leaks. As soon as I tow, the leak starts and will not stop until seal is replaced. I don't know if it is because of heavier torque being applied or what but it is a pain in the *** to have to replace a seal every time you tow.

 

[tragicwagon]

I was going over everything on my truck about a month ago,checking bolts for tightness,belts,etc. When I checked the ubolts they turned about 3 full turns each before they were tight,2 days later they were loose again, So I went to the local spring place and bought 3/4in ubolts,stock are 1/2in I think, and replaced the lower spring plates with center pivot caps from a MACK cement mixer, needless to say the bolts are still tight. But now the pinion seal is leaking at 52k.

 

[rjahde]

I have had my truck since new and have 57,000

miles on it and have had to replace the seal 3 times now . As noted earlier it seems to start leaking when I tow my trailer and not before. Had a spring shop go over rear of vehicle and they could not find any problems with differential movement or the like. Haven't tried the yoke and seal yet.

 

[rjahde]

Opp's first post so forgot Signature!!