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Leaking Differential Seal

B

Beuford

Platinum Level Sponsor
I have the rear end of my 66 Tiger up on jack stands (up about 16”) waiting on a part to complete another task. After about 3 days in this position I noticed a small puddle of gear oil that appears to be coming from the drive pinion oil seal. I saw no leaks before so I assume the leak resulted from being at an angle.

My plan is to top it off once back on level and drive on. My question is if it gets beyond a small drip, what am I looking at in the way of a fix. A whole take down of the differential ? Thanks
 
Beuford said:
I have the rear end of my 66 Tiger up on jack stands (up about 16”) waiting on a part to complete another task. After about 3 days in this position I noticed a small puddle of gear oil that appears to be coming from the drive pinion oil seal. I saw no leaks before so I assume the leak resulted from being at an angle.

My plan is to top it off once back on level and drive on. My question is if it gets beyond a small drip, what am I looking at in the way of a fix. A whole take down of the differential ? Thanks
Click to expand...

At the very least, you would have to remove the pinion shaft nut and the U-joint yoke in order to remove and replace the pinion shaft seal. Doing that raises the issue of pinion shaft bearing pre-load when reassembled.

If it does not leak when level and full and is not exhibiting any other issues, I would treat it like a sleeping dog.
 
Regarding Barry's comments about removing companion flange to replace seal.....mark everything before disassembly. Mark the driveshaft flange to companion flange, can be center punch marks or chisel cut marks. Mark pinion nut and end of pinion shaft with chisel, so you can reinstall flange in same position on shaft, and tighten nut to same position. I agree that I would not hurry to fix something if it is not broke.....
 
The seal gets hard and leaks. If it ever gets extremely low on gear oil, gonna be a bad day. Have seen axle housings smoking-burn-off-the-paint hot. But, keep it topped up and put cardboard under the spot where you park it, no worries.
 
Back on level ground and still leaking. The diagram in the workshop manual does not show the location of the vent. Where exactly is it located. Thanks
 
On the Tiger the rear axle venting hole is on the top side of one stub axle tubes. It's not on the Banjo. Check with a bright light. If oil exceeds from your pinion seal during standstill it may not be your problem though...
 
The vent hole is as Bernd said on the top side of one of the stub axle tubes, it is on the right side!
 
May have a Foto somewhere, if I still can find it. We have seen " glorious" workshops here who had welded up that very venting hole. :eek:
 
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