Dealer says my front pinion seal is leaking. They will replace it under the 7/70 power train warranty for the $100 deductible. Will they have to drain/replace the differential fluid to do this repair? That would be a nice side-benefit of getting this fluid replaced.

 

I guess to replace the seal all they would have to do is remove the yoke and replace the crush sleeve. There would be no way of making sure the bearing pre-load was correct however. In theory a certain torque on the yoke nut should produce the correct bearing pre-load because of the crush sleeve. I think the front is on the order of 400 LB-FT.

I doubt they will remove the carrier, but a good shop would definitely inspect everything and replace the gear oil.

I think to do it, as some would consider ‘properly,’ you would remove the front carrier, which involves taking out the axles and draining the fluid. This way a torque gauge can be used to spin the pinion, ensuring the bearing pre-load is correct.

If I were taking that much apart I’d install new diff bearings and u-joints on the front axles.

 

They will pull the yoke and replace the seal. They did not change the fluid, replace the crush sleeve or anything else. At least that is what they did on mine.

 

Pinion nut should also be replaced with pinion seal since it is a locking style nut.

 

Thanks! No free lunch, I guess...

 

Really; those crush sleeves are one time use and only cost a few bucks, but you have to take out the rear bearing to get at it, which can’t be done without removing the pinion.

But a quick change is better than having it continue to leak. The dif will last until it is out of warranty, which is all the dealer cares about. It may never give your troubles again either.

 

They do what OPPS posted.
No crush ring replacement or fluid change.