chope97
Well-Known Member
I was looking under my car this evening (73 auto) and noticed the rear diff is covered in oil top to bottom. What would be the problem or what is most likely part I need to order to fix this?
Wet diff
- Thread starter chope97
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Sadly- it is usually the front seal at the Driveshaft which means the diff has to come out and go to a shop because it’s a specialty deal to torque that nut back into it. It’s called a crush sleeve..
Hope for the best and do a super cleanup job on it with some degreaser and a toothbrush, and wait to see what the origin of the leak comes from.
You might get lucky with a side seal or the O-ring on the big plate.
Hope for the best and do a super cleanup job on it with some degreaser and a toothbrush, and wait to see what the origin of the leak comes from.
You might get lucky with a side seal or the O-ring on the big plate.
tochi
Well-Known Member
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Don't panic. Unless you see a puddle directly under the differential, your leak may not be as bad as you think. Despite any leak - perhaps the most important concern is that the leaking component - remains lubricated rather than "dry."
Locating a leak source is fairly intuitive.
Differential lubricant typically contains a high pressure additive that has a distinctive “sulphur” smell. In other words, the smell may indicate differential lube - as distinct from engine oil or transmission lubricant. When was the last time you checked the differential lubricant level? Could the differential have been overfilled? If it is low, or any other potential source (engine/transmission) is low, this may suggest a leaking component.
sfDon offered a likely diagnosis, but if the nature of the leaking lubricant is not readily apparent, per his suggestion, you might consider cleaning all areas covered with oil/grease/dirt and inspect for “fresh” oil, followed by checking engine, transmission and differential oil levels. Consider the effects of gravity and forward motion "wind" - and the tendency of forward leaks to accumulate at or near the differential.
Once you determine any leak source/s that should indicate remedial efforts, e.g., snug up related fasteners, replace failed or failing gaskets and top up related lubricant.
Good luck.
Locating a leak source is fairly intuitive.
Differential lubricant typically contains a high pressure additive that has a distinctive “sulphur” smell. In other words, the smell may indicate differential lube - as distinct from engine oil or transmission lubricant. When was the last time you checked the differential lubricant level? Could the differential have been overfilled? If it is low, or any other potential source (engine/transmission) is low, this may suggest a leaking component.
sfDon offered a likely diagnosis, but if the nature of the leaking lubricant is not readily apparent, per his suggestion, you might consider cleaning all areas covered with oil/grease/dirt and inspect for “fresh” oil, followed by checking engine, transmission and differential oil levels. Consider the effects of gravity and forward motion "wind" - and the tendency of forward leaks to accumulate at or near the differential.
Once you determine any leak source/s that should indicate remedial efforts, e.g., snug up related fasteners, replace failed or failing gaskets and top up related lubricant.
Good luck.
Last edited:
chope97
Well-Known Member
thank you both very much, step 1 clean diff to see where it is leaking from, step 2 change fluid for now since I do not know how long it has been in the car ( I have owned car since 2017). I do have a spare diff in my 74 Bavaria 4 speed parts car. MY 73 is an automatic, do they both have 3.64 ratio's? I do not see any oil on the ground under the diff. Can I use a 75/90 synthetic gear oil?
Both have 3.64 in the US. Be sure you open fill plug first to make sure you can remove it.