Pinion Seal Headache

[Sidecarbill]

If the splines are leaking, you would see oil on the flange where the nut tightens to it. I'd make sure the vent is open. And if it was mine run it awhile see if it gets better or worse. Could be he just greased the seal real well before he installed it. And now you're seeing the residual effects of that. :Shrug:

 

[Trace]

Pinion Seal Headache AGAIN

Hi sidecar Bill, l'm quite certain it's leaking past the seal vs. grease. Because when l drained the 85w90 out & replaced it with the 85w140. The heavier oil has a green tint to it& & l can see it. At the seam where the cap butts up against the front of the differential where the pinion seal is. I will absolutely take that little cap off & check for blockage & put a hose in its place. Then l guess l'll just go from there. I'm really hoping that solves the issue. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Oh and just one other thing that l forgot to mention is that on my differential. The little tube that has the cap on it ISN'T removable at least it doesn't seem like it is anyway. It appears as though it's pressed in somehow. So my only other option, if l were to remove the little cap. Would be to attach a hose directly to the little vent tube. Do you think that would be long enough to hold the hose on w/a small clamp??

does this look like the vent?

 

[Sidecarbill]

Maybe you can take a picture so we can see exactly where it's leaking.

 

[Trace]

Pinion Seal Headache AGAIN

No, that's what l was expecting to find as well. But the one on mine isn't removable. Instead it's pressed or somehow fastened into the differential. It has a small cap that is somehow crimped on, that is also very stubborn to remove. It does move freely though & seems springy if you push on it. So l don't think it's frozen, but maybe it has some sort of blockage?

 

[Jack Klarich]

No, that's what l was expecting to find as well. But the one on mine isn't removable. Instead it's pressed or somehow fastened into the differential. It has a small cap that is somehow crimped on, that is also very stubborn to remove. It does move freely though & seems springy if you push on it. So l don't think it's frozen, but maybe it has some sort of blockage?

Understood. Many are a light press fit. Some are even plastic. GM has used that type for years. While it is possible yours has some blockage or the valve is sticking some, if it were my ride I would rip the hat off with a twisting motion and put a hose on it. WE did many 4 wheel drive trucks like that for years. This would give you peace of mind IMO plus a better venting system ( less chance of water and dirt intrusion plus more volume for more pressure venting) Good Luck and keep us updated

 

[Trace]

Pinion Seal Headache AGAIN

I would post a picture in here, but l'm not able to at this time. As l need to remove the tire to make it visible. It's just a small stem about the same diameter as a pencil. With a little flat cap crimped

to the top, that you can spin w/you finger. I pried on it a little, but l don't think it's intended to be removed/replaced. Which to me is a very poor design indeed.

 

[Trace]

Pinion Seal Headache AGAIN

Ok, so l'll try to pop the little cap off when l get it back home. Like l had said on here before though it seems like it's on there pretty good. But at least now thanks to all of you, l know it can be removed. Is the purpose of looping the hose to keep water from getting in there?? Thanks again

 

[Jack Klarich]

Ok, so l'll try to pop the little cap off when l get it back home. Like l had said on here before though it seems like it's on there pretty good. But at least now thanks to all of you, l know it can be removed. Is the purpose of looping the hose to keep water from getting in there?? Thanks again

Yes, the loop will help to keep water out

The cap on the vent is crimped on, if you squeeze it in a few spots with a pliers it should wiggle off

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Ok, so l'll try to pop the little cap off when l get it back home. Like l had said on here before though it seems like it's on there pretty good. But at least now thanks to all of you, l know it can be removed. Is the purpose of looping the hose to keep water from getting in there?? Thanks again

Yes, the loop will help to keep water out

The cap on the vent is crimped on, if you squeeze it in a few spots with a pliers it should wiggle off

 

[Trace]

Pinion Seal Headache AGAIN

Do you mean squeeze it around the edge of the lip on the top? Or do you mean grip around the whole thing and jiggle it up? I just want to be sure l do this correctly. Because l don't want to damage that little stem under the cap right?

 

[Jack Klarich]

Do you mean squeeze it around the edge of the lip on the top? Or do you mean grip around the whole thing and jiggle it up? I just want to be sure l do this correctly. Because l don't want to damage that little stem under the cap right?

Grab the whole cap and jiggle and a slight twist up should pop it off

 

[Trace]

Pinion Seal Headache AGAIN

Ok, that's what l'm going to try then. And also how much hose would you suggest, that l should attach to the vent tube?

 

[Jack Klarich]

Ok, that's what l'm going to try then. And also how much hose would you suggest, that l should attach to the vent tube?

That depends on how much room you have under your body. The higher the hose and loop the better. 1-1 1/2 foot should be enuff

 

[Trace]

Pinion Seal Headache AGAIN

Alright, l'll see how much space there is under there & add the hose. Then loop it & fasten it to somewhere under the body. I read on another website where off roaders sometimes, run a vent hose in to the backside of a taillight. I guess that would work if there was already a hole there. But l wouldn't want to go making any additional holes in them. Thanks again

 

[Ramnight]

Has anyone thought about removing the fill plug and screwing in a barbed fitting with a hose on it, then connect it to your portable air tank with around 10 psi in it, and listen to the vent for the air to blow out. Maybe it will clear a clog that might be in it. I have been doing this for over 40 years working in maintenance shops to pressure check equipment, or look for leaks.