I noticed my rear diff started leaking the last couple of days. For now I just topped it off to keep the fluid level up, the leak seems slow. At first I thought it was leaking out of the bottom of the cover but upon further inspection I noticed it's leaking up by the drive shaft. I'm assuming bad pinion seal? If that's the case are there there any special tools needed to complete the job? Anybody done this before and have any tips before I get started? Thanks in advance.

 

welcome to df.

there's a right way and a shade tree way. either will work and either is easy.

shade tree way. mark the relationship if the pinion nut to the shaft with a punch, and count the number of exposed threads. now use an impact wrench and remove the pinion nut, then the flange. change the seal. reinstall. tighten the nut to where the nut is one smidgen past the original mark. one smidgen = about 1/16 or 1/8 inch.

right way - as above, but then use a 1/4 beam style torque wrench to check the rotational resistance of the pinion. check the book for the number but its probably about 20-25 inch pounds.

tip - use a top quality National brand seal and nothing else. Advance has them.