What is the rear pinion seal?

Located near the pinion shaft in the differential of vehicles, the pinion seal is an integral component of the car that prevents fluid leakage out of the differential. It also prevents water, debris, or dirt from getting into the differential.

How much does it cost to replace a rear differential pinion seal?

The average cost for a Pinion Seal Replacement is between $229 and $276 but can vary from car to car.

Can you drive with a pinion seal leak?

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.

How do you change a rear axle pinion seal?

Here’s how it goes:

1. Lift the rear of the truck to take the weight off the wheels.
2. Remove both rear wheels.
3. Remove the 8 bolts to take the axle out.
4. Remove the pin and retaining ring by hand.
5. Remove the axle nut.
6. At this point, the hub/drum assembly should slide right out.
7. Now the axle seal is exposed.

How long should a rear pinion seal last?

In terms of lifespan, there’s no set duration for a pinion seal. Really, they last as long as they last. There are many different factors that come into play here. All seals will degrade with time and exposure to differential fluid, but your driving habits will have a significant impact on lifespan.

How long does it take to change a rear pinion seal?

1. How long does it take to replace a rear pinion seal? In almost all cases, about an hour or less.

Is a rear differential leak serious?

The differential gasket is the gasket that seals the differential housing. It is usually an oil resistant preformed gasket, though some differentials use silicone as their gasket. 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.

Is it OK to drive with a rear axle seal leak?

If your vehicle has a small axle seal leak, it may be okay to continue driving for now, but you should look to have your car’s axle shaft inspected and potentially replaced immediately. Make sure to keep your transmission fluid full so your transmission keeps running smoothly.

How serious is a rear axle seal leak?

If the leaking axle seal does not get fixed soon and the transmission is slipping, you could cause permanent damage to the transmission. The severity of the leak affects how safe it is to drive with a leaking axle seal. The most common cause of a leaking axle seal is it improper axle installation or removal.

How bad is a rear main seal leak?

If the seal tears or cracks at all your crankshaft rotation can cause the seal to get torn up very quickly causing a very fast leak. A fast leak can lower your engine oil level to dangerous levels very quickly and dangerously low oil levels can lead to permanent engine damage.

How long do pinion seals last?

Can you drive with a leaky rear differential?

Depending on the amount of oil seeping through the gasket, this may leave noticeable traces of oil on the undersides of the differential housing. A seeping differential will usually be okay to drive for a while, however, it will eventually progress into a full on leak as time goes on.

What should it cost to repair a rear axle seal?

Fixing an axle seal can cost anywhere from $150 to several hundred dollars, depending on the make and model of your car. If you detect a leak it’s better to fix it sooner rather than later, as ruining your transmission is an expensive repair.

How can I identify a rear axle?

It’s worth noting that rear axles can sometimes be positively identified by a casting number and date stamped on the differential cover or axle tube. However, road debris, dirt, grime, and general age can obscure these numbers. Fortunately, you can tell a lot about a rear axle by its shape and number of bolts on the differential housing.

How long should rear axle seals last?

Rear axle seals last a pretty long time. To be more specific, rear axle seals usually last between 50K and 100K miles. They’re simple parts, so how can they fail? It’s quite simple: wear and tear. Rubber seals dry out over time.

What are the components of a rear axle?

Major Components of a Rear Axle Student Workbook There are three major parts to a rear axle: • The ring and pinion gearset • The differential gearset • The carrier housing Both the ring and pinion gearset and the differential gearset are contained within the carrier housing.