OK, I noticed a small runoff today - had the seal changed maybe 2 years ago when I gad my pinion bearing done.

This was when I was getting my tires rotated.

Now I have to ask - if that diff was hot when I brought it in, would taking the load off of it cause some to leak out?

Looked very fresh.

How bad of a problem is it if I let it go?

And could excessive heat cause a little to sneak by?

Dry as a bone right now after 5 miles of 80MPH.

 

before ya get too carried away with the seal pull the filler plug when its still warm, if it hisses some pressure clean the breather. I've see alot of leaky diffs where all the problem was the vent was clogged. cleaned the breather out and the leak went away.

 

I know its coming from my diff - how do I clean it?

 

on top of the torque tube by the drivers side shock there is a brake line block.
the bolt that holds it on is drilled thru and a hose is attached the hose runs up to the frame rail and dead ends there with a little breather on it.
Pull off the hose and all blow it out with air and brake clean make sure it flows pretty free its a small hose. put it back and yer done.

 

yours might be a little different from mine but not much

 

I should mention this is the rear end seal.

Same thing?

 

yep
the breather just releases the pressure buildup from heat in the rear end.
those seals are not designed to hold back any amount of pressure just keep the fluid in.
I attached a couple pics first one is the breather itself im pointing at.
second is where the tube comes off the rear-end. hose going strait up is the breather tube its a soft line.

 

Thats awesome man - I really appreciate the pics!

Do you think there might have been a lil pressure in there and once the truck was lifted, the load was taken off and a little seeped out?

Its totally dry right now.

Like bone dry.

 

thinkin more it built some pressure and just happened to burp right about then

 

Well, its off and on.

Question - do I need a new yoke or would a speedi sleeve work ok?

I'm doing it Friday.

I mean, theres enough coming out to run down the housing and drip on the ground.

No idea how or why this happened.

 

If the diff is overfilled it will eventually leak.
Most times the leak will stop once it leaks down to the correct level.
Factory spec is 1/2" below the bottom of the fill plug.

 

Hi Bill!

Why would it start after over 2 years all of a sudden?

 

If it has recently been topped up or changed.
If it hasn't you have a problem.
Check the vent first.

 

Well, all I did was unplug the vent from the axleshaft - and plugged it back in.

No longer leaking.

Wonder if I should change it anyway?

 

id buy a vent and hose and see if it stops. generic vent can be had for a couple bucks, same for the hose. sounds like its due anyway.also check to make sure where the vent plugs into the axle is clear all the way through, that spot likes to gum up too