Rear pinion seal leaking

[jjohnson1177]

Greetings folks; Yesterday I was under my new to me 2013 2500 4x4 when I noticed that it was wet around the pinion seal on the rear differential. No puddles but a drop was about ready to come out and it was a little low on fluid when I checked it. Anyway, I'm not real familiar with these new style differentials so my question is this: are there any special procedures in replacing the seal such as torque specs on the pinion nut or is it simply remove the yoke, replace the seal and bolt it back together? I will be getting a factory service manual shortly. Thanks in advance for the replys and have a great day!

 

[sag2]

Unless it is really leaking I would leave it alone. Many have done the job but the correct method that you will see in the manual is to disassemble the difference to properly set the preload again. Hardly anyone does it the correct way.

 

[jjohnson1177]

That actually sounds like a good option. I wiped everything down and did a 50 mile run and no leak so I'm leaving it along for now. Any recommendations on the preferred brand of gear lube when I Change out the fluid?

 

[jhenderson]

Any synthetic 75w90 meets spec. I prefer Mobil 1. My local Autozone has its for $12.99 per quart.