Gear oil???

[bpgardn]

I just had my ball joints replaced. Ok maybe 2 or 3 months ago. Anyway my seals started to leak either side depending what angle the truck is on. Its on and off and will leak a puddle the size of a dinner plate. I say its leaked about a quart... Do i need to add more? If so how and how much?

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

There is a square plug either in the diff cover or on the side of the diff depending on what axle you have. Fill it up until fluid comes out of the hole, make sure the truck is on flat ground.

 

[72blazerguy]

I say its leaked about a quart... Do i need to add more? If so how and how much?

I would say you need to add about a quart.

 

[bpgardn]

I know stupid questions. Heres another what kind of fluid?
Thanks again

 

[4xcrazy]

i would say you did not leak anywhere near that amount, oil spreads on the ground, but either way, have fun with those seals

 

[ccarley]

I think 90 weight is usually recommended. My buddy buys it by the gallon at Wal-Mart... I spend the money on Red Line 75W90 synthetic myself. It was about $12/ quart last time I got it, at Napa auto parts.

Clay

 

[4xcrazy]

Obviously, until you replace those seals, if you keep filling it up to the normal level, it's gonna leak and leave spots everywhere.

If you don't use the front diff all that often, i woldn't put anymore in until the seals are replaced.

 

[diesel4me]

You could fudge it awhile by pumping some chassis grease in the diff first,then top it off with gear oil..(thicker gear oil like 140W leaks a lot slower!)..the grease will migrate toward the leaky seals eventually and form a "clot" and slow down or stop the leaks if the seals aren't completely shot--Lucas or STP helps slow down the leaks too...(used car lot tricks!)..

 

[4xcrazy]

--Lucas or STP helps slow down the leaks too...(used car lot tricks!)..

alittle bit of brake fluid will also help this too, swells and softens the seals up some, more of a time-buyer though, i have done this little move ona few power steering pumps on my previous vehicles that started leaking. Usually works for a few months. again (time-buyer )

 

[diesel4me]

A guy I know with an F250 4x4 is suing Pep Boys here--he brought his truck in for front axle seals,and evidently when the "mechanic" discovered they are on the inside near the diff carrier and it has to be gutted to fix them,he decided to pump the axle tubes FULL of Permatex RTV,about 4 caulking gun tubes full!.....when it started leaking a few days later,he took it back,and they told him to "come back next week--we're all booked up for at least a week"...he took the truck to my friends shop ,and he pulled it apart,and found the mess they made of it!..it was "fun" getting all that RTV out of the axle tubes !..some migrated into the diff itself too...

I have seen used car guys fill diffs with 90% Lucas or STP gear treatment and the rest 90W,in hopes it wont leak bad enough the first 30 days,till the warrany is up!..

 

[79bonanza]

haha dang thats alot of permatex

when i put diff seals in my truck i was fairly new to axle work and i didnt think it was to bad to fix, the biggest problem i hade was taking my hubs apart lol, everything else was pretty striaght forward

 

[bpgardn]

It works- so far so good with the brake fluid. Hope this will get me thru a few more pay periods.thanks