i was under my truck today and noticed my rear end is leaking on the front side where the drive shaft connects to the rear end. what kind of trouble am i facing?

 

That's the pinion seal. Maybe just the seal, but if you are also getting some noise could also be a the bearing. Good luck...

 

It's likely leaking from the pinion seal. it's a job that is finicky because it can be done incorrectly. I'd be weary of a garage doing it as they may just tighten it up with an air tool(AHHHHHH) Look here for a simple fix you can do in your driveway. Post #6

 

heres a pic. how quick do i need to get this replaced?

 

Well obviously the longer you let it leak the less gear oil there will be in your differential. Just follow Dogs instructions and when your done top off the gear oil to be sure and you'll be good to go.

 

Yep, it's leaking good, did mine in the driveway in February, following the technique and precautions as mentioned by Dog. I did need to buy a big socket, seal install kit, and remember bending my seal puller like a piece of spaghettinni so a good chisel and some finese worked for removal. The most difficult was snapping off the pinion nut as I had to pull out the big 3/4 inch ratchet and long bar and apply some muscle. I also recall reference made for the need to put some RTV in where the pinion nut goes to avoid having leakage out the center.

 

The seal is what keeps it from leaking. No RTV should be needed.

 

true dat!^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

Dog to be more specific I was refering to the haynes Book procedure since there is no reference made to that step in the Dodge shop manual and I only mentioned it because of the photo in the thread where your post is it appears to be leaking out the front through where the flange is and it made sense to me also at the time of re-assembly: Quote: "Apply a bead of RTV sealant to the ends of the splines visible in the center of the flange so oil will be sealed in."

 

Do you have the LSD rear end? If so, you may want to take the rear cover off and look for carnage in the bottom of the case before moving on. There are 4 retaining clips that can break into pieces, and the pieces get chewed up in the gears and can cause the pinion seal to leak. If you don't have the LSD, then just get the seal replaced.