diff. leaking

[-spilly]

hi, im having an issue with my 2001 ranger edge, 8.8 rear end. its been leaking what i am assuming to be differential fluid through were the drive shaft enters the differential. i want to fix this problem myself but i want to be sure what the problem is before i pull it apart. im am hoping that all i need to do is replace a seal and fluid, but im not entirely sure that there is a seal there. so if anyone knows or thinks they know wats going on in there i would appreciate your help. thnx.

 

[pillen140]

its called a pinion seal.

 

[-spilly]

okay, thanks. is it a pretty strait forward job?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

its pretty straightforward:

unbolt the driveshaft (4 12-point bolts) and swing it out of the way.

MARK the pinion bolt (the big bolt inside the flange). you need to mark the bolt and the end of the pinion so the bolt can be placed back EXACTLY where it is (this is very important).

remove the bolt, counting the number of turns it takes.

pull the flange off the pinion.

pry the old seal out and hammer a new one in.

put the flange back on and install the bolt, turning the same number of turns it took to remove it...then align it to your mark.

bolt the driveline back on and top the rear end off with oil (gear oil).

making sure the pinion bolt ends up exactly where it started is very important. if you have it off, you could quite possibly ruin a $500+ set of gears.

 

[-spilly]

great, thnx for the help.