Can you drive with a leaking 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 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 much does it cost to replace a differential seal?
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.
How long does it take to fix a leaking differential?
There are side bearings and a pinion bearing which can pit or deteriorate, causing your rear differential noise. These bearings are part of a rear differential overhaul, taking three to five hours to complete.
Why is my truck leaking differential fluid?
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.
Can you drive with a leaking rear axle seal?
The purpose of the axle seal is to keep transmission fluid from leaking. Depending on the size of the leak, it may be okay to drive with a leaking axle seal, but not for very long. If the leaking axle seal does not get fixed soon and the transmission is slipping, you could cause permanent damage to the transmission.
What happens if the oil in the differential is too old?
Too-old oil cannot lubricate moving parts properly, causing the metal components to burn oil from the high temperature. Having the differential oil replaced may solve the problem, otherwise, a gasket or seal replacement may be necessary.
Can a leaking axle seal cause an oil smell?
A leaking axle seal of the rear differential or transfer unit might cause a gear oil (sulfur) smell coming from under the vehicle. Of course, if you have your oil changes done regularly, your mechanic can spot an axle seal leak and inform you before any major damage is done.
Is it necessary to replace the axle seal?
No, it’s not necessary. If one axle seal is leaking, it doesn’t mean that the other seal will start leaking soon. How expensive is the axle seal replacement? Even though a new axle seal is not a very expensive part, the repair cost may vary from $150 to $650, depending on the complexity.
What are the symptoms of a bad differential?
Symptoms of Bad or Failing Differential / Gear Oil 1 Vehicle Exceeds Gear Oil Service Interval. 2 Whining Differential or Transmission. One of the symptoms most commonly associated with bad… 3 Gearbox/Transmission Slipping Gears Jerking. 4 Burning Smell from Gearbox or Differential.