Leaking 8.8 help finding out where

[kamps989]

My truck decided to give me yet another problem, my diff is leaking and I am hoping it is just the cover seal. But looking at it I kind of think thats wishful thinking. Here are some pics tell me what you guys think. Thanks!

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

from the diff cover side it looks like your cover is rusted and is too thin to hold the oil back, but looking from the pinion side it looks like your seal is leaking causing fluid to run down the housing and "spray" up the cover. how much fluid are you losing and how fast?

 

[kamps989]

It seems like about a drop every 10 - 20 minutes maybe less. Do you really think it can be rusted through all the way? I was thinking that the rust just kinda soaked it upwards?

 

[99RangerOffRoad]

Looks like a pinion seal leak for sure. I would probably replace that first and see if it still leaks after that.

 

[exbass94]

That is DEFINITELY a pinion seal leak. Gear oil will not travel up the diff housing to the pinion. It had to have come from the pinion and leaked all over the bottom of the diff.

 

[4x4junkie]

I'm betting it's both.

The oil around the pinion area doesn't look as "wet" as on the back of the cover (at least in the pic it doesn't).

 

[hondaxr650]

I'm betting on both too. The pinion seal leak doesn't really look that bad but the cover is pretty wet. I have seen covers rust through before.