What happens if your differential is leaking?
The differential fluid lubricates the ring and pinion gears which transfer power from the driveshaft to the wheel axle. If your vehicle experiences differential fluid leaks, the fluid lubricating these gears will run low and as a result, the gears can be seriously damaged.
How much does it cost to replace a front differential seal?
Differential output seal replacement costs range from $258 and $314. The part itself is only $46, while labor cost ranges from $212 and $268. Your vehicle’s differential outputs seal is responsible for preventing any oil leaks from the differential.
How much is a front differential cost to repair?
These are light repair jobs that will cost between $200 to $400, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. But if you have more extensive damage to your differential that requires it to be dismantled or overhauled, then you are looking at about $400 to $800 in repair costs.
What should I use to stop a rear differential leak?
For a rear differential leak, we recommend using the BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak. BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak is more concentrated and is the universal application that will work for various leaks such as oil pan leaks, rear main leaks, valve cover gasket leaks, etc.
Where do the seals go on a differential?
Some differentials put these seals just outside the bearings, while others have the seals all the way at the end of the axle tube. Due to different designs, your differential can leak from many different places making it difficult to determine the exact leak location.
Where does the differential go in a 4 wheel drive car?
Your vehicle has just one engine but must drive 2 or 4 wheels with that engine. Most four-wheel drive vehicles have a front and rear differential. For vehicles that are front wheel drive, the multiplication happens inside the transmission, which can technically be called a transaxle.
How do I stop my differential from leaking?
However, many people find that rear differential leaks are the most common. Rather than searching for where your leak is coming from, simply add BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak to your differential oil through the oil fill plug and your leaking seal will be reconditioned and restored while you drive!
How much does it cost to fix a leaking differential?
Combined with the few hours of labor required for their replacement, the typical rear differential cost of repair is between $200 and $400. If gears are required, that number jumps a bunch. Rear differential repairs that include a new gear set may be $1,500 or even higher between parts and the labor to replace them.
Can you drive with a leaking rear pinion seal?
If you notice your differential has low fluid, chances are it is leaking from the pinion seal. This needs to be fixed in a timely manner because as the fluid levels drop, the gears will wear down as the friction increases. Without a proper working differential, your vehicle will not be able to be driven.
What causes a rear main seal to go out?
Without a regular oil bath, your rear main seal can become dry and hard causing it to not seal properly around the rotating crank shaft. Things like sand, salt or road grime can cause premature failure of your rear main seal from the outside in. There are many reasons you should regularly change your engine oil.
Why is my rear differential leaking?
Rear Differential Leak – more commonly, the problems stem from low rear differential oil. Rear differential leaks are the culprit, either at the axle seals, the pinion seal (where the driveshaft attaches), or the rear differential cover.
Is it safe to drive with a leaking rear axle seal?
The purpose of the axle seal is to keep transmission fluid from leaking. Depending on the size of the leak, it may be okay to drive with a leaking axle seal, but not for very long. If the leaking axle seal does not get fixed soon and the transmission is slipping, you could cause permanent damage to the transmission.
How long does it take to replace differential seal?
How long does it take to replace a wheel seal on a semi? About 2 hours max is fair per wheel. If you take longer there had better be a good reason. The more wheels you do per job kinda lowers the average time per wheel too.