Gears & Axles - Pinion seal leaking?

I took my car in for an oil change today and on the ticket, they came back with a note stating my pinion seal was leaking. My rear has been really noisy, it whines while in gear at low RPM under light load and when I put it in neutral, the noise goes away pretty much altogether. It has been that way for a while (the noise) but I don't know how long it has been leaking. Could this leak be causing my whine in the rear end? Just trying to get an understanding of what the pinion seal leaking could cause for me.

Thanks

it very could well be why your rear-end is making noise...if them gears and bearings arent getting proper lubrication (because of low diff fluid) they get awfully hot, and do not like rotating on dry surfaces.

means dont beat on it and start saving for a new rear!!

What does something like that cost to fix, without buying a 12 bolt or 9"? I don't race it just DD it and don't need something huge.

id still go for an s60 or 9 inch 2000 plus a driveshaft

What does something like that cost to fix, without buying a 12 bolt or 9"? I don't race it just DD it and don't need something huge.

Replacing the seal is not a big job. Just take it to a reputable shop and get a quote. Or, if you have the tools and skills do it yourself. The part about the gear whine is not good. The ring and pinion are most likely damaged and it's not going to get quiet. Whatever you do, fill the rear end with the proper fluid. Having it leak out is not as bad a frying the gears.

Al 95 Z28

id still go for an s60 or 9 inch 2000 plus a driveshaft

But I don't have that much $$$ to spend. Is it as simple as taking it to a dealer and having them put a new seal on and put it back together?

But I don't have that much $$$ to spend. Is it as simple as taking it to a dealer and having them put a new seal on and put it back together?

or if you know somebody that would do it and cost you less would be good.

Mine is leaking too I believe. Its very slow. There is about a half dollar sized spot on the garage floor if I let it sit for 5-7 days.

Where exactly do I look to see where the leak would be, around the pumpkin?

I ran mine a little low and with a noise for a few weeks. My front pinion bearing ended up being toast. If you don't race it much and dd the car then just get it rebuilt with new bearings.

I need to change mine also, does everything have to come out of the rearend to change this?

just order a new timken seal, its only like a $10 seal. drain your diff, pull the driveshaft off, pull out the new seal, and press in the new seal using the old seal and a piece of wood......reinstall drive shaft and fluid, Good to Go!

I need to change mine also, does everything have to come out of the rearend to change this?

no, just have to take the yolk and pinion nut off.

Yeah I'll probably have my mechanic check mine out to see how soon I should get it fixed and then get a price from him. He is a really nice guy and always cuts me a deal when stuff needs fixed for the most part so I expect maybe $40 to just have him fix it. After I did my headers I had him look at it and fix some stuff (check & re-tighten header bolts, heat wrap some wires near the collectors, made sure plugs were tight, notched heat shield and torch cut a tiny but of subframe for clearance and then welded it up nice, painted it, and an oil change for a grand total of around $260.

I had mine done for $150 by a local shop, which included replacing the oil with synthetic in the rear.

Where exactly do I look to see where the leak would be, around the pumpkin?

Look at the gasket around the rear cover AND at point the Yoke connects to the Penion and also around the Nut which holds the Yoke on to the Penion
Johnny
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Let me just say: Have someone that knows what they are doing replace the seal. If you re-install the pinion nut incorrectly you'll kill the rear end. It's not worth saving $10. Just my advice....

Al 95 Z28

Replacing the seal is not a big job. Just take it to a reputable shop and get a quote. Or, if you have the tools and skills do it yourself. The part about the gear whine is not good. The ring and pinion are most likely damaged and it's not going to get quiet. Whatever you do, fill the rear end with the proper fluid. Having it leak out is not as bad a frying the gears.

Al 95 Z28

Agreed. :chug:

Let me just say: Have someone that knows what they are doing replace the seal. If you re-install the pinion nut incorrectly you'll kill the rear end. It's not worth saving $10. Just my advice....

Al 95 Z28

Very true. Even if they do it the yoke removal method well, there is still a chance your preload is not back to where is once was. Mine made it about 6 months before the pinion bearing started howling. I am sure there was pre-existing damage before we replaced the seal. In my opinion going from the driveshaft side is a band-aid more than a cure.

Whining on a stock rear end? Not good. The spacing in the rack & pinion is looser than say a Moser 12 bolt/ 9" rear where it's sometimes normal to hear some whining because the gears are extremely tight.

GO NOLES!

Whining on a stock rear end? Not good. The spacing in the rack & pinion is looser than say a Moser 12 bolt/ 9" rear where it's sometimes normal to hear some whining because the gears are extremely tight.

GO NOLES!

The rack and pinion is in the other end of the car:)

Al 95 Z28

:jest: read my mind.