Rear differential leaks are the culprit, either at the axle seals, the pinion seal (where the driveshaft attaches), or the rear differential cover. Light brown or grayish fluid on the ground under the back of your truck is an indication that you have a differential fluid leak.
Is a rear differential leak serious?
When the gasket fails , it can cause the differential to leak, which may put it at risk of running low on fluid and suffering serious damage. Usually a bad or failing differential gasket will produce a few symptoms that can alert the driver of a potential problem that should be serviced.
How do you know if your differential is leaking?
Rear differential leaks are the culprit, either at the axle seals, the pinion seal (where the driveshaft attaches), or the rear differential cover. Light brown or grayish fluid on the ground under the back of your truck is an indication that you have a differential fluid leak.
What happens if my rear differential is leaking?
If the output seals leak to the point of running the differential low on fluid it may cause the differential to produce a howling, grinding or whining sound from the rear end of the vehicle .
What are the signs of a bad rear differential?
- Difficulty in handling. As the differential is the element which helps handle your vehicle in a turn, once it starts to wear out, precision is not something that will be on your side anymore. ...
- Tire damage. ...
- Vibrations. ...
- Whining Noises. ...
- Gear Grinding.
How much does it cost to fix a differential leak?
A typical rear differential repair costs anywhere between $200 and $400 . These typical repairs would include your bearing, seals, and fluid changes. Of course, when a gear change is required, that’s when things get pricey. $1,500 is just the minimum you can expect to pay for new gears.
How long can you drive with a leaking differential?
If the leak is small and you can’t make it to an appointment for a few days, it is okay to drive your vehicle as long as you keep the transmission fluid full . Do not push it too far though, as ruining your transmission is an expensive repair.
Can you drive with a bad rear differential?
Technically, you can drive with a bad differential, but it is not wise . The problem may get worse, to the point where it leaves you stranded somewhere. It can also cause damage to other surrounding components. It is smartest and safest not to drive with a bad differential.
How do you fix a differential leak?
A typical rear differential repair costs anywhere between $200 and $400 . These typical repairs would include your bearing, seals, and fluid changes. Of course, when a gear change is required, that’s when things get pricey. $1,500 is just the minimum you can expect to pay for new gears.
What causes a differential to go bad?
The first and most common is loss of differential oil which can cause gears inside the differential housing to break, grind, or even block the rear wheels. ... However, differentials can fail if they are pushed too hard which means that you have performed numerous burnouts, drag racing, and so on.
What does a bad rear end sound like?
In the case of a rear end, the noise can be a humming sound, a growl, or even a knock . Although any noise is bad, the noise does help in diagnosis. ... Ring and pinion gear-noise changes with vehicle speed and is usually unaffected by loads and turns.
What does bad differential sound like?
A failing differential will often produce loud whirring noises or sometimes rattling . Any time you hear a strange noise coming from your vehicle, you should get it checked out by an auto repair expert. It can be any number of problems, including the differential.
How do you check rear differential?
- Tire Damages. If you notice strange damages on the sidewall and outer tread of your vehicle’s tires, it may be caused by failing differential components. ...
- Hard to Handle. ...
- Vibrations. ...
- Gears Grinding. ...
- Whining Sounds.
How long does it take to replace a rear differential?
A complete rear differential replacement includes replacing the housing, gears, bearings, and seals. The average time it takes a certified mechanic to perform a differential rebuild at a shop is usually three to five hours . A rebuild on a commercial vehicle by someone without prior experience could take much longer.
Can you 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.
What happens when a differential fails?
More importantly, a compromised differential can negatively impact your safety when you’re behind the wheel by making it difficult to turn. A faulty differential can also cause your car’s wheels to lock up , and this can put you in a dangerous situation if it happens while you’re in traffic.
