Rear Pinion Seal...how much?

[rbattelle]

This seems to be the first one they've had come back.

Call me a cynic, but I don't believe that for one second.



Ryan

 

[steved]

Call me a cynic, but I don't believe that for one second.



Ryan

I didn't either... but you never know.



They did excellent work on my drive shaft... I know they are capable of good work.

 

[steved]

Well, the third one is leaking... any ideas of where to look next??



Pinion flange??

 

[DPKetchum]

I guess. Thats whats next.

 

[steved]

Although I may be forced to have it done here in WA, I would want to think the pinion flange would show signs of wear... I'd be curious to see if it has a scratch or burr, wonder if the first guy actually ran crocus cloth over the pinion flange to make sure???



So we think the next logical step is a flange? Well, I guess I need to find a dealer, order one, and schedule the appointment...

 

[steved]

I don't know if I mentioned this, but I did check the vent...

 

[betterthanstock]

Well, the third one is leaking... any ideas of where to look next??



Pinion flange??

Check runout w/ dial indicator. Resurface or replace flange.

I don't know what's acceptable, but at 3000 rpm I would think no more than . 002 total.

 

[WCounts]

Sounds like bad seals or a damaged housing. Had that happen to me one time when the dealer ruined my housing pulling out the old seal. Even if there was out of spec play it would take longer than a few weeks to ruin the seal. Even if there was a groove in the yoke it would take longer. You have to use the tool to drive the seal in with out damaging it or your housing.

 

[steved]

The flange can't be resurfaced as it is sleeved with a dust seal (pressed on)...



I'm thinking they are damaging it during the install... I'm going to attempt to limp it home since the only dodge dealer here is a Lithia-owned one. I will repair it myself, hopefully it doesn't get any worse (it actually acts like it quit leaking?)...

 

[JCasper]

The flange can't be resurfaced as it is sleeved with a dust seal (pressed on)...



I'm thinking they are damaging it during the install... I'm going to attempt to limp it home since the only dodge dealer here is a Lithia-owned one. I will repair it myself, hopefully it doesn't get any worse (it actually acts like it quit leaking?)...

Grab some extra oil and take a look at every fuel stop

 

[steved]

I'm going to see how bad it leaks over the next week... if its not bad, I'll drive it home.



I just picked up some 75w140 RP, they didn't have my 85w140.



I filled the rear diff, added 2. 5 quarts (remember I have a ORU cover and didn't fill the diff since the last seal failed). So its now within a 1/4" of the fill hole, and I can more easily check that level.

 

[CMChristensen]

i just noticed mine is leaking... how long do i have befor i need to get it fixed? I dont wanna do i tmyself an i need to find a trustworthy place to fix it.

 

[BHaden]

Well, I couldn't find the pinion nut anywhere... so I got it ordered, and already got the seal.



I'm going to have a local shop (drivetrain-only shop) install it... quoted me between $100 and $150. Not worth my time sweating the details.

That doesn't sound bad. I had one done on an 03 1500/4. 7 gasser at the dealer in Flagstaff AZ 3 years ago and it was less than $65. Double that for a Cummins powered rig sounds fair.

 

[steved]

i just noticed mine is leaking... how long do i have befor i need to get it fixed? I dont wanna do i tmyself an i need to find a trustworthy place to fix it.

My first one was only seeping, as did the second one. This one is actually leaking pretty good, several drips in a day and a tailgate full of droplets.

 

[seafish]

That doesn't sound bad. I had one done on an 03 1500/4. 7 gasser at the dealer in Flagstaff AZ 3 years ago and it was less than $65. Double that for a Cummins powered rig sounds fair.

Just got quoted today for a weeping rear pinion seal,at the local Lithia, approx. $15 part and about 1 hour at $100/hour. Seems pretty fair to me.

 

[Cattletrkr]

I had mine fixed on my '01 under warranty. It was squealing so bad it was driving me nuts. I was told they are supposed to leak a little... enough to keep them quiet.

The one on my '04. 5 leaked every now and then. It would ALWAYS go away on its own. Since the '01, I've never worried about a leaky pinion seal. Unless it's real bad and you can't drive 'cause it's leaking soooo much (which ain't a gonna happen too often) ignore it and it'll go away.

It's one of those leaks that aren't a big deal. I know a lot of guys can't stand to see a drop or two on the driveway, but they're not always evil.

... . steved, just went up and read your last post... how long will it take for a tailgate full of droplets to pay for a seal replacement? Oil is cheap. Not necessarily saying it's OK, but I don't think I've ever seen a truck w/o some oil somewhere. "Several drips in a day" takes months to make a qt.

 

[steved]

If it was seeping like the last one, I'd say OK... but this one is actually slinging oil onto the underside of the truck.

I figure it will probably take a quart to get home... if that. Its leaking bad enough to actually form drips on the differential in a day or so (and that's only moving it about 15 miles).

Not sure what it will do at highway speed and 150+*F temps thinning the oil out...

It does seem to have slowed a little bit.

And the tailgate thing is just an indicator, there's much more oil underneath. If it was just keeping the diff wet, I wouldn't even concern myself this time...

 

[steved]

Well, got it home...



It leaked the entire time, however it didn't seem to leak enough to measure (surprising, considering the amount of oil underneath).

 

[JGoss]

Have you discovered anything yet? My buddy's keeps leaking after several new seals also.

 

[steved]

I've discovered it would be easier to trade it in... which I fully intend to do.