Rear differential leaks are the culprit, either at the axle seals, the pinion seal (where the driveshaft attaches), or the rear differential cover. Light brown or grayish fluid on the ground under the back of your truck is an indication that you have a differential fluid leak.
Is a rear differential leak serious?
When the gasket fails, it can cause the differential to leak, which may put it at risk of running low on fluid and suffering serious damage. Usually a bad or failing differential gasket will produce a few symptoms that can alert the driver of a potential problem that should be serviced.
How much does it cost to fix a rear differential leak?
If new gears are needed the price can be at least $1,500. Going to the worst-case scenario, if the differential is beyond repair, you’ll need the component to be replaced altogether. You can expect a rear differential replacement to cost up to $4,000.
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 do you know if your differential is leaking?
In order to determine if the rear differential is leaking or not; you can look to see if there is any oil seeping out of the gasket by checking the underside of the differential housing. If there is leakage happening, your differential gasket is weak and about to fail completely.
How much does it cost to replace a differential seal?
Average Differential Repair Cost
Sometimes you may only have to adjust the backlash or replace the oil seal of the differential. These are light repair jobs that will cost between $200 to $400, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.
Is it worth fixing a 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.
What does a rear differential problem sound like?
Clunking, rumble, or howl when cornering: This may indicate a problem with the spider, or side gear. Depending on how extreme the sound, it could mean there has been a leak of lubricant, a worn spider gear, or even a broken gear.
How long does it take to replace a rear differential?
three to five hours
A complete rear differential replacement includes replacing the housing, gears, bearings, and seals. The average time it takes a certified mechanic to perform a differential rebuild at a shop is usually three to five hours. A rebuild on a commercial vehicle by someone without prior experience could take much longer.
What does a broken diff sound like?
Whining Sounds
The most common sound of a failed differential is a whining noise. This is often due to poor lubrication within the differential, meaning there is a good chance that the differential fluid is leaking. If you spot a reddish fluid under the differential, there is certainly a leak.
What causes rear pinion seal leak?
As the rubber on the pinion seal wears down, the pinion seal’s functionality is affected. It starts becoming less and less effective and cause leakages. For this reason, you should check the pinion seal every time you schedule your car for maintenance.
How do I know if my pinion seal is leaking?
To check for a leak, follow the drive shaft to the rear axle, then look around the yoke for fresh oil. If you notice fresh oil, you have a pinion seal leak. As soon as you notice this, contact the professionals at YourMechanic to have the pinion seal replaced.
How much does it cost to replace a rear differential pinion seal?
between $230 and $277
The average cost for pinion seal replacement is between $230 and $277. Labor costs are estimated between $172 and $217 while parts are priced between $58 and $60. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.