Differential Oil Seal Won't Stop Leaking

[paulkramer]

Have any of you guys replaced your differential oil seal?

I must have nicked mine while R&Ring my Konis and have (as of tonight) replaced this seal four times in an effort to stem the tide of Amsoil fluid out of that hole.

As I have done this job four times now, I think I have got it down so I can do it in my sleep, and I don't believe that I nicked the new seals each and every time!

Today's install left the seal not as far into the hole as previous attempts - I assume because of the cold weather here. I could not get that damn thing any farther in than I did, and previously it was a snap to get it in with my little seal race. I had to bang on the race with a hammer - more like tapping, thanks to the very limited space - for nearly an hour just to get it to the point where the outer edge was completely touching the transmission housing and evenly seated. I hope it is in far enough.

The seal that I removed today was messed up along the OUTER edge - like something had been gently chewing on it. Think I may take that seal to a transmission shop and ask them what they make of it.

[paulkramer]

10 reads and 0 comments?!

[mmont0]

Sorry. I didn't post since I haven't ever taken a diff apart. I can't add anything else besides what you've already tried.

I'm assuming the seals are rubber type gasket rings? If they keep leaking, it might either not be on tight enough or the ring is not the correct size? If you use any type of sealant chemical around the gaskets, make sure that it cures before you run the car and the fluid starts running through. Just a couple of thoughts.

[paulkramer]

Originally Posted by mmont0

Sorry. I didn't post since I haven't ever taken a diff apart. I can't add anything else besides what you've already tried.

I'm assuming the seals are rubber type gasket rings? If they keep leaking, it might either not be on tight enough or the ring is not the correct size? If you use any type of sealant chemical around the gaskets, make sure that it cures before you run the car and the fluid starts running through. Just a couple of thoughts.

Yes, they are rubber type rings, with the embedded spring thingie. I put those damn things in as far as they would go, with a race to be sure they seated evenly.

The one I installed this weekend I wasn't able to insert all the way - I had a hell of a time just getting the entire outer rim seated within the trans casing. It's not leaking yet - maybe I was pushing the other ones in too far?!

Guy at auto parts store suggested my differential might be screwed up, allowing the axle to wiggle around excessively and chewing up the seals in the process. I am not a good judge of axle movement - it feels OK to me. It moves in and out, I can't move it up/down or fore/aft, unless I hold it about a foot from the trans, maybe that's the problem. But then why wasn't I eating seals before I replaced the springs? I doubt that replacing the springs and upsetting the axle in the process damaged the differential....

[mmont0]

It's possible that the springs were possibly seated perfectly before. Now they might not be seated properly causing an imbalance? Do the new springs have the same spring stiffness as the old ones? If not, they might not hold properly.

Got pics?

[paulkramer]

Originally Posted by mmont0

It's possible that the springs were possibly seated perfectly before. Now they might not be seated properly causing an imbalance? Do the new springs have the same spring stiffness as the old ones? If not, they might not hold properly.

Got pics?

Huh?! What do the springs have to do with the diff oil seal?! I mean, they are a little shorter (1.3") when fully loaded, and I briefly thought they might be the culprit, but the CV joints should accomodate such a small decrease in spring height. And if it's due to the springs, why aren't all the guys on crsx having this problem? Many (if not most) of them have much more severe drops, and I have only heard of one or two guys having this issue, and it was resolved by replacing the seal.

The new springs have different spring rates than the OEM, I hope. I don't know the numbers, but they are definitely stiffer. They'd better be, if they are shorter!

I am 99% sure they are seated properly. What do you mean by "imbalance"?

BTW, going on almost a week now without a single drop of fluid on my garage floor! I'm not claiming victory yet, but this most recent seal replacement I only inserted the seal until the outer edge was fully seated in the trans case, unlike the other times when it slid further into the trans case. Maybe that is the ticket. Hard to believe....

[mmont0]

Originally Posted by paulkramer

Huh?! What do the springs have to do with the diff oil seal?! I mean, they are a little shorter (1.3") when fully loaded, and I briefly thought they might be the culprit, but the CV joints should accomodate such a small decrease in spring height. And if it's due to the springs, why aren't all the guys on crsx having this problem? Many (if not most) of them have much more severe drops, and I have only heard of one or two guys having this issue, and it was resolved by replacing the seal.

The new springs have different spring rates than the OEM, I hope. I don't know the numbers, but they are definitely stiffer. They'd better be, if they are shorter!

I am 99% sure they are seated properly. What do you mean by "imbalance"?

BTW, going on almost a week now without a single drop of fluid on my garage floor! I'm not claiming victory yet, but this most recent seal replacement I only inserted the seal until the outer edge was fully seated in the trans case, unlike the other times when it slid further into the trans case. Maybe that is the ticket. Hard to believe....

I was thinking of something totally different. When you said "embedded spring thingie", I thought that the rubber gasket was seated on top of a spring which pushes it to the other surface. That's why I like pictures rather than letters!

Yes, you're correct about the CV joint being able to take a decrease in height.

I did say I never took a diff apart. . Sorry for the confusion!

Glad to hear everything is working out!

[paulkramer]

Originally Posted by mmont0

I was thinking of something totally different. When you said "embedded spring thingie", I thought that the rubber gasket was seated on top of a spring which pushes it to the other surface. That's why I like pictures rather than letters!

Yes, you're correct about the CV joint being able to take a decrease in height.

I did say I never took a diff apart. . Sorry for the confusion!

Glad to hear everything is working out!

Oh - I was referring to the little spring thingie that's embedded in the diff. seal......

Like I said, I have been fooled before into thinking I had cured the problem. It has not leaked for as long as a week or two before it started leaking again

[paulkramer]

I know you guys are dying to know - this problem is resolved.

Hasn't leaked a bit for months now.