Topic: axel seal Q?

[jeepnfahey]

Hey guys,
Here is the question my axle seals on my Dana 35 are leaking. The leak first started leaking from the back of the axle around the bottom of the bolts. The second leak is coming from were the drive shaft goes into the the axle. I have not been wheeling yet this summer. Do you think the leaking is coming from old seals? Thats my guess. I also installed a small shackle lift. But the leaking started before i put the lift in. If you guys have any idea let me know. 
Thanks

[Jeffy]

Have you ever refilled the diff?  Reason I ask is that if you overfill the diff it will leak for a while.  The seals are fairly easy to replace.  You'll need to take the axle shafts out though.  The pinion seal is a bit of a pain to replace compared to the axle seals.

[neale_rs]

The leak from the rear sounds like it could be just the cover leaking, which means a fairly easy fix.  Could it be leaking from the rubber plug itself?

[Jeffy]

Whoops, you don't need to take the axle shafts out for your leaks.  The bottom of the bolts is the diff cover gasket.  Loosen the cover and drain the oil.  It will smell.  If you've never changed it, it will smell bad.  Try not to get it on anything unless you like the heavy oil smell.  It will stick to whatever it gets on for days to months.  Clean off the gasket on the cover and the housing then use RTV Silicone to replace the gasket.

For the pinion, the driveshaft will need to be disconnected and the pinion yoke removed...

[jeepnfahey]

Thanks guys. I should get this done by the end of the week.

[gomi]

to repeat Jeffy's warning it will smell bad so be ready.

[Jeffy]

to repeat Jeffy's warning it will smell bad so be ready.

What no dabs behind the ears?   

[gomi]

Ha, no thank you. Last time I changed the fuid in my differential I couldn't get the oil smell off my hands for hours. stinky stuff.

to repeat Jeffy's warning it will smell bad so be ready.

What no dabs behind the ears?   

[jeepnfahey]

Well I got the seals replaced. Yes, the oil smells so bad, very sticky stuff. After I changed the diff seals my buddy pointed out that i needed new u joints as well. I think this might have been what was causing the seal in the front part of the diff to leak. Well the good news is I stopped  my rear end from leaking. HAHAHA