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Leaking differential

Discussion in '348/355' started by Extreme, Dec 6, 2012.

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  1. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

    May 26, 2010
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    #1 Extreme, Dec 6, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Tonight I decided it was time to change my passenger side cv boot since I had replaced the driver side a few months back when I discovered it had a tear.
    Now I have a new problem seems that there is gear fluid leaking into the axle coupling from the differential. I discovered it once the cv joint was loosened and some fluid leaked out. It isn’t a lot and I have never noticed anything in the past so it must just be seeping out.
    Also it looks like there is some white sealant in this area, I didn’t notice if the other side had it. Is this an attempt by someone to stop the leak?
    Sometimes I want to burn this car to the ground… But I love it too much. ;)

    So where exactly is this fluid coming from is it a seal?
    Would it be ok to just leave it alone?
    Is it difficult to fix?
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  2. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
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    #2 plugzit, Dec 6, 2012
    Leak?
    What leak?
    I don't see any leak!
    Just excess factory assembly lube.
    Clean it up and put it back together.
    :)
     
  3. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 fatbillybob, Dec 6, 2012
    Look at exploded diagrams. Pretty easy fix you did the hard part already getting shaft out. Bang with impact gun big nut off flange slide out seal under. Cars very old now. You got this far put a New seal in it go for another 15 yrs.
     
  4. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

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    #4 Extreme, Dec 6, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Should I drain gear fluid before removing #4? Looking at the diagram I don't see a seal.
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  5. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

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    #5 Extreme, Dec 6, 2012
    Why is there assembly lube inside the flange?
    There was about a teaspoon of fluid that seemed to come out when I removed the cv joint. Nothing else has leaked out just what seemed to have accumulated.
    The fluid smells like gear fluid although it doesn't seem to be the color of the Royal Purple I put in, it's clearer and very clean for having 5,000 miles on the fluid.
     
  6. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
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    #6 plugzit, Dec 6, 2012
    Factory assembly lube=wine spilled while assembling

    It would have to be gear lube that seeped thru over the last 15 years.
     
  7. LmnsBlu355

    LmnsBlu355 Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2009
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    #7 LmnsBlu355, Dec 6, 2012
  8. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

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    #8 Extreme, Dec 6, 2012
    Jordan, after reading your post it seems like this is a routine problem and an easy fix as FBB and Plugzit mentioned.

    Thanks guys I feel a ton better after reading your responses. I guess I won't torch the car this time.

    I love Fchat!
     
  9. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

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    #9 Extreme, Dec 6, 2012
    Will I need to drain the gear fluid prior to removing the bolt holding on the flange? Or is fluid only forced into these areas while gears are turning?
    I figure now is a good time to reseal things.
     
  10. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
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    #10 plugzit, Dec 6, 2012
    No need to drain fluid. Nothing at that level. Simple.
     
  11. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

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    #11 Extreme, Dec 6, 2012
    Awesome... I'm on my way to do it now.
    thank you
     
  12. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #12 ernie, Dec 7, 2012
    The fluid is getting past the bolt, washer, and splines.

    The bolt is screwed straight into the differential (the shaft of the sun gear), and there isn't a seal between it, and the cup of the axle flange. The seal fatboy is talking about is on the back side of the flange. If that seal is leaking you'd see gear oil on the tranny case. But the oil inside the cup is from the bolt and splines.

    Only thing you can try to do is;

    Remove the bolt, clean it and the washer up,
    then use some Hondabond HT on the threads closest to the head of the bolt, and on the back side of the washer,
    then retorque the bolt back on.

    It'll make sense once you have the bolt out, and can slide the flange off the splines.
     
  13. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

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    #13 Extreme, Dec 7, 2012
    I did exactly like you said with the Honda bond and then reassembled everything including the cv joint and axle.

    Thanks again guys I'm glad this wasn't as serious as I first thought when I saw the fluid.
     

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