Ital Axle Diff Leak

[virden]

I appear to have a significant leak from the front of the diff, on the seal around the input shaft. The petrol tank and the chassis tubes are coated in oil, and if I leave the car untouched for a week, an oil patch 5" wide collects on the garage floor. Should I be worried? There is still plenty of oil in the axle. The car has 18,000 miles on it

What is involved in replacing the seal, i.e. can an amateur do it, or does it involve the use of specialist tools?

[zetec]

Take it out ( kind of straight forward) then send to Road & Race transmissions for a bearing & seal change, all will be ok then! 😬

[Revin Kevin]

Virden,

If it is leaking that much I would do some thing about it. Not a difficult job and no specialist tools required to change the pinion seal. Probably in theory changing the pinion seal could be done with the diff still in but will be much easier with the axle out on the bench.

 

Cheers

Chris

[virden]

Thanks Guys.

Chris I have decided to properly measure the loss by taking oil levels via the (replaced) breather hole before and after a run. I do as some people have recommeneded over fill the axle. Do you suppose I may have over done it?

[Revin Kevin]

I'd be surprised if you had overdone it, I ran 2 litres of oil. There is no way there is any significant pressure in the axle and as long as the breather is open!

 

Cheers

Chris