So I guess this is a 2 part. I think the seal on my diff is "going". If I look under the car, around the seal and cover is REALLY dirty and it almost looks like there is some fluid collecting on the bottom. HOWEVER, I have not one drop in my garage, so if it IS leaking, its not very serious. Anyways, can you check the level in you diff or do you pretty much have to drain+refill to obtain a proper level? Second, we use "royal purple" correct? What weight again? And are there any other brands I can guy at autozone or something?

Thanks guys.

 

Pinion seal is a very common cause of the drip. I had to replace mine last summer. I bought the pinion seal for something around 12 bucks at autozone, I couldn't believe how cheap it was. And while you are in there, you mine as well change your gear fluid IMO. I replaced mine with Royal Purple, can't remember which weight it was, but I do remember getting it at autozone with the pinion seal.

 

You can check the fluid level through the fill hole on the front top drivers side of the pinion housing. It should be level with the bottom of the fill hole. I just changed my fluid a little while back with Royal Purple I think it was 75w140.

Don't waste money on the Diff cover gasket(remove to drain fluid), just use Black silicon to reseal it.

 

how hard is it to replace? What goes into replacing it?

i mean, this can be done while under the car right? as far as seeing the bottom of the fill hole?

 

You can stick your finger, or a piece of bent wire in the fill hole and determine if the fluid level is up to the bottom of the fill hole. Also when adding fluid just fill until it runs out the fill hole.

 

The fill hole is on the top of the pumpkin, on the drivers side. Replacing the pinion seal wasn't difficult. Have to take the driveshaft out, (make sure you don't take it out of the transmission or transmission fluid will start pouring out everywhere). When I replaced my seal I drained all of the gear fluid from the pumpkin by taking the diff cover off. I had a feeling it had never been replaced and so I just took the time to take it apart. Before putting the diff cover back on I made sure to seal it with that black silicon stuff.