hey guys -

just bought a 1998 dodge dakota v8 318 4x4 truck and the rear differential is leaking a decent amount. Anyone have any tricks of the trade to slow/fix the leak? Also anyone know what fluid i should be using?

FYI - Its a manual with 185k so im not trying to rebuilt it or spend i ton of money on this thing. i didnt get a owners manual. Thanks -

 

First were is it leaking from the diff cover plate or from the drive shaft input.

Cover plate is easy remove and redo it driveshaft is a bad one but I dont know how you do it without removeing the whole thing.

 

You were not clear on where it looks like it is leaking.

Could also be leaking from the plug. Pull the plug and clean it and the hole well and check plug for tears. Replace it into the plate.

Plate leaking, pull plate off clean all surfaces well, install new gasket and torque to specs. If the plate is bent carefully reshape it, some people bend them causing leaks. I used stock 80w-90 gear lube for limited slip for the refill. I think a lot of people use the 75w-90 synthetic.

I have not had to work on with the drive shaft end, sorry.

 

You might want to take a picture as well to better show what's up with it.