Slight leak from rear diff

[fitch]

I was rotating the wheels the other day (geez you just about need to pack a cut lunch to crawl along and locate the jack under the rear axle - would be an interesting proposition on a wet day dressed in your Sunday best ). Anyways, I noticed an oil stain on the rear diff (see photos if I can manage to attach them). There is no corresponding stain on the driveway so I figure it isn't a big leak. Questions. Should I be concerned or can I wait until the next service is due? Is there a dipstick to tell the oil level in a diff? Thanks!

[peter92]

it looks like its only small, you could clean it to get a better look just to be sure
undo the plug on the diff and put finger in side the oil should be just below the filler hole
regards peter

[LukeS]

I was rotating the wheels the other day (geez you just about need to pack a cut lunch to crawl along and locate the jack under the rear axle - would be an interesting proposition on a wet day dressed in your Sunday best ). Anyways, I noticed an oil stain on the rear diff (see photos if I can manage to attach them). There is no corresponding stain on the driveway so I figure it isn't a big leak. Questions. Should I be concerned or can I wait until the next service is due? Is there a dipstick to tell the oil level in a diff? Thanks!

Sounds like it could probably wait till service time, but re the checking, generally fill it till it overflows, so as said in an earlier post the finger test in the filler hole should work.

[peter92]

fitch, have you cleaned it to make sure that there isnt a crack anywhere, i wouldnt think there was but wont hurt to just check, better safe than sorry
regards peter

[itsjai]

I just noticed this on my diff to, got it booked in for Wednesday to have it looked at. Anyone else had this problem and know if it is an easy fix?

[wasarangie]

I would say it is a very minor leak. Where it is, it would have to be a cracked weld, or the mount bolt on the brake line has fractured the diff housing. Have you confirmed it to be diff oil and not brake fluid? I have seen the small bracket on the brake line wear the pipe and cause a leak in the past, but not on anything this new. Better check the oil level just to be safe, as posted above.

[scorpion 42]

Slight leak from rear diff

I was rotating the wheels the other day (geez you just about need to pack a cut lunch to crawl along and locate the jack under the rear axle - would be an interesting proposition on a wet day dressed in your Sunday best ). Anyways, I noticed an oil stain on the rear diff (see photos if I can manage to attach them). There is no corresponding stain on the driveway so I figure it isn't a big leak. Questions. Should I be concerned or can I wait until the next service is due? Is there a dipstick to tell the oil level in a diff? Thanks!

Hey Fitch, why dont you invest in a 3 ton trolley jack, that way you wouldn't be stuggleing withyour stupid bottle jack and while your at it ( for safetys sake ) a pair of 3 ton axle stands and get yourself under there again and have a good look and check just what this wet patch really is, as has been said brake fluid or 80 / 90 gear oil, or even, LSD oil, its ever so easy and stops you feeling like a divvy, that has no idea about anything, LOL.

[Cams]

Get the dealer to check it sooner than later, there is a chance it is brake fluid, and you wouldn't want to run out of that.

[fitch]

Service guys said it was the washer on the filler plug which they replaced.

[wasarangie]

Not as interesting as a cracked housing or split brake line. Did not even think about that, just jumped to a major issue instead. Let us know if it has fixed your problem, I think (for what that's worth) it will be OK now.

[900canoes]

It is also interesting looking at the pics, where the leak is as high as the brake line retaining stud coming out of the diff housing. Keep an eye on it for a while.