Can you drive with a leaking rear differential?
Depending on the amount of oil seeping through the gasket, this may leave noticeable traces of oil on the undersides of the differential housing. A seeping differential will usually be okay to drive for a while, however, it will eventually progress into a full on leak as time goes on.
How much does it cost to reseal a rear differential?
How much do rear-differential replacements cost? If replacing a gasket or bearing or sealing any problem areas isn’t possible, you will likely end up spending between $1,500 to $4,000. Ignoring a faulty differential can not only cause further damage, but it can be dangerous as well.
What does it mean when your rear differential is leaking?
Rear Differential Leak – more commonly, the problems stem from low rear differential oil. Rear differential leaks are the culprit, either at the axle seals, the pinion seal (where the driveshaft attaches), or the rear differential cover.
Is it worth fixing rear differential?
The truth is that sometimes replacing your rear differential will end up costing more than your car is actually worth. But that doesn’t mean you’re at a total loss. You can still junk a car with broken or faulty parts—and walk away with cash for it.
How do you fix a rear differential leak?
How to Fix the Differential Cover
- Grab a drain pan.
- Loosen the bolts from the differential cover.
- Pry the differential cover off.
- Let the differential fluid drain.
- Remove the gasket from the differential pan.
- Clean the differential pan and clean the differential.
- Place a new gasket on the cover.
- Replace the differential cover.
How serious is a differential leak?
The differential fluid lubricates the ring and pinion gears which transfer power from the driveshaft to the wheel axle. If your vehicle experiences differential fluid leaks, the fluid lubricating these gears will run low and as a result, the gears can be seriously damaged.
How do you fix a differential leak?
How do you reseal a rear differential?
Fixing the rear differential oil leak – resealing with RTV…
- Loosen bolts.
- Prize open case.
- Drain oil.
- Scrape off old gasket sealant with a plastic scraper.
- Clean cover plate.
- Apply sealant (gasket maker or RTV silicone)
- Place cover back on and hand tighten.
- Fully tighten and leave for 24 hours before filling with oil.
Can I drive with a leaking rear axle seal?
If there is significant fluid loss, so much that it affects the transmission, the vehicle should not be driven. If the leak is small and you can’t make it to an appointment for a few days, it is okay to drive your vehicle as long as you keep the transmission fluid full.