Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $300 for a new differential cover. Serious gear damage could result from this. 14 Reasons Why Car Shuts Off When Stopped or Slowing Down, 6 Reasons for Car Clicking When Trying to Start, 9 Reasons Why is Car Leaking Oil When Parked, 7 Reasons Why Your Car Shakes When Braking. Axel Tube Cracking or Breakage 7. The differential on your car needs routine maintenance just like every other component. One of the most common problems that you may encounter with your differential is a leak. The differential seals are straightforward in design and operation, but they are extremely important for keeping the differential and the car in good operating order. This will aid in the installation of the seal in a straight line. I was getting puddles of oil under my passenger side front tire. Fixing an axle seal can cost anywhere from $150 to several hundred dollars, depending on the make and model of your car. Finally, we will cover the cost of fixing a rear differential seal leak and answer some frequently asked questions about this topic. Drain the differential lubricant from the differential assembly. Because pinion seals arent always easy to repair. Lubricate the axle gear ending that will connect to the differentials inner gears with fresh gear oil. The three seals are the pinion seal, where the U-joint is attached and the left and right axle seals. The seals at a vehicles differential output shafts are known as differential output seals. A clogged breather is the start of the problem. 2. Strike the installation tools end straight with a hammer until the seal pops into place. Answer (1 of 11): If it's older, it's just general wear and tear. FYI, the front diff on my '01 330xi was a $1,700 part, with another $700 labor to replace. This makes repairing the damaged seal considerably easier. Almost always, the axle must be taken out of the differential to replace the differential outer seal. Both outputs receive the same amount of torque. They fixed it under . Some of these factors include age, mileage, and driving conditions. The pinion seal, made of rubber, can also wear out and develop leaks at the front of the differential where the yoke attaches to the driveshaft. A grinding or buzzing noise will come from the differential due to worn gears and low differential fluid. Hey guys, I just got my Jeep back from the dealership after I self diagnosed a leaking front axle seal. Effects Of A Leaking Axle Seal The front diff holds only about 1.5 PINTS of oil IIRC, so you can't afford to lose much. 2. Axle Seal Replacement Cost. If the front diff leak is to the point that the differential is low on fluid, the differential may make a roaring, grating, or screeching noise from the vehicles front end. Whether an automobile has front-, rear-, or all-wheel drive, a gear differential is a common part of all vehicles. If this gasket becomes damaged or worn over time, it may cause leaks in your differential. The basic notion is that when a tire slips, the slipping tires maximum wheel speed is limited. We sometimes link to products in our posts and some of these links may be affiliate links this means should you purchase through the link, we earn commissions. If you are facing this problem, you can do a few things to fix it depending upon which parts are posing the problem. Regularly schedule maintenance appointments: Having your differential regularly serviced by a professional mechanic can help prevent leaks and other problems from occurring. Differential covers arent the most expensive part of your car, but theyre not cheap either. The differential is the housing that houses the gear drive for the drive axle and connects to a drive shaft to supply power to it. This article will discuss what causes rear differential leaks and how to fix them. Lack of fluid or fluid that hasnt been refilled in a while and has beyond its expiration date is one of the most common causes of differential damage. As you turn a car, the left and right wheels will travel in a few different directions. Unfortunately, if this happens, you will have no choice but to replace the gasket entirely to fix the leak. I have done some research and most people reply that a conflict gear ratio on the front diff would cause a distinct feel on the test drive because the gears are fighting against each other to drive the vehicle. If you have access to a hydraulic lift, you should always use it. The axle shafts will leak fluid if the seals dry out or wear down. Next, clean the axle male fitting that goes into the differential gearbox. Despite the wheel slide, a locking differential maintains the same speed for the left and right wheels. Car ReviewsExperiencesNewsMotorsportProduct ReviewsTroubleshootingTrending. In a high-grip environment, such as on dry roads, be careful not to lock the differential. Differential Pinion Seal However, dont go too far because destroying your transmission is a costly fix. As others have stated, it really depends on how bad the leak is, but i will go ahead and assume that it is actually leaking, since that is what was stated. The most common rear differential noise is a whirring sound, although it's not unheard of to have a clunking or banging sound as you accelerate. Before attempting to install the new seal, remove the old one completely but keep it to match the replacement one you bought. Following parts of a differential can develop a leak. This will keep the inside of the differential from being dusty or exposed to the weather. If the seals dry or wear out, they will leak fluid from the axle shafts. For information on the specifications and frequency of differential maintenance, consult your owners manual. What causes front axle seal leak? Bad Differential Side Seals To replace the differential outer seal, youll almost always have to remove the axle from the differential. If you observe oil from a leak with a particular odor, it can be a differential fluid leak. Fluid leaks from the differential are usually caused by worn-out seals. I last changed the fluid 20k miles ago, and this is the first time it's leaked. Is the leak coming from the back of your car, and is it rear-wheel or all-wheel drive? This will help to temporarily stop the flow of oil until you can get the car to a mechanic. Did you know that as a car is going around a bend, the tires on either side of the vehicle may spin at different speeds to aid handling? Take it to your repair if you notice a strong burning oil odor. 6. When the engine is running, the gear oil builds up pressure and can escape through the gaps in the seal, leaking onto the ground. The drive shaft enters from the front and the driven axles run left and right by Aconcagua / CC BY-SA 3.0. When the rear brakes are utilized, you may notice an increase in braking distance or noise from the brakes. The air conditioner wasnt working, and I cursed myself, A clutch master cylinder is a key component of your cars clutch system. Differential seal leaks are one of the most common problems that car owners face. Observe the engine's performance to know if the oil leak is from the turbocharger. Save money by comparing quotes from over 30 of Canadas top insurance providers! With the engine off, remove the fill plug with a socket or wrench. All I know is that I topped off the fluids 2k miles ago when I did my oil change and there were no obvious signs of leakage. A differential on a Chrysler car by Dana60Cummins. Leaks in the differential can be caused by a damaged or deteriorated gasket. A car differentials feature one input, two outputs, and two outputs for each output that are connected to a wheel by an axle or drive shaft. A driveshaft, It was the middle of summer, and the heat was oppressive. Welcome to Motor Verso. Different configurations and applications of limited slip differentials exist. Inspecting the seals regularly will help to identify any potential problems before they become serious. Inspect the gasket surface of the differential case for dirt, rust, or other foreign matter that might prevent sealing pressure between the case and gasket. Fill the differential with fluid after the axle has been mounted, as well as all suspension and steering components. You should change differential fluid frequently, so read your cars manual to find out how often is ideal. The noise is caused by a lack of lubrication in the gears, and depending on the speed of the car, it may get louder or change in tone. Some differential output seals also aid in the appropriate alignment of the axle shafts with the differential. The bulge in the axle houses the differential. The most frequent sign of a problem with the differential output seal is a front differential leak. Its easy and shouldnt take more than 10 minutes. We will explain what a differential, a differential leak, and differential fluid/oil are before we start talking about how bad a front differential leak is. A rear differential is an important component in most types of vehicles. As a result, internal gears and other components may become stuck or break. The axle male fitting that is placed into the differential gearbox should then be cleaned. If the problem is with a differential cover or gasket, you will have to replace them to fix the leak. 1. The side seals are located on each side of the differential, and their main purpose is to seal the bearings in place. One of the most common problems that you may encounter with your differential is a leak. Due to the utilization of front and rear differentials, this is possible. Differential oil frequently smells strong. To keep the differential in good operating order, make sure the differential fluid/oil is in good condition and filled to capacity according to the manufacturers recommendations. The differential output seals are the seals that are situated at the differential output shafts of a vehicle. How much does it cost to replace front axle seals? Sealing the Differential's Side. ARB Air locking car differential by Richard Harvey / CC BY-SA 3.0. Some of the top causes for a leak include: A Clogged Differential Vent Tube Your differential has a small vertical tube that vents the inside of the entire assembly. One of the most prevalent reasons for differential damage is a lack of fluid or fluid that hasnt been refreshed in a long time and has beyond its expiration date. Anyway, 30,000KM (~18,000 Miles) the replacement differential is beginning to leak. Although the smell may mean that you're due for an oil change, it may also indicate that your differential oil is deteriorating. The price for several tasks could be $400 or so. First, locate the Differentials fill plug on the side of the differential housing. This makes it crucial to recognize warning indications. Install the differential seal. When the seal is appropriately placed, you should hear it pop in most circumstances. Typically, no special tools are required to remove the axle from the car. Light brown or grayish fluid on the ground under the back of your truck is an indication that you have a differential fluid leak. If you notice any leaks, repeat the procedure until all of them are fixed. Your inner tires will wear faster if your left and right tires are driving at the same pace when you turn a corner because they are being forced to rotate faster than they should. Over time, this gasket will wear out. Too much oil will leak out of the crankshaft seal if there's not enough space for it. An axle seal is the part of the vehicle that connects the axle to the rear differential, or the transmission. I had been driving for hours, If youre like most drivers, you probably take your automatic transmission for granted.