my pinion seal is bad, i got the usual "wet around the fuel tank" and such...and it got oil spots on my fresh painted white boat trailer damnit lol. So, question is...i have about 3000 left before my warranty is over. is it worth dealing with the dealer, and paying the 100 dollar deductible or should i save the hassle and do it myself? the only dealer in town that i trusted closed down, so if its not worth it I'll just do it myself. Or is it worth the trip to the dealer and see what they say?

 

if it's anything like doing one on my jeep wrangler that i used to own it wasn't too bad.. you need an inch lb torque wrench because you have to measure the torque on the nut that holds down the seal because there is a crush sleeve on the inside of the diff and if you put it back on too tight and crush the sleeve anymore it messes up all the tolerances inside the diff adn you have to put a new sleeve in which means pulling the pumpkin apart.. but it wasn't bad at all just had to be careful in taking measurements when taking the nut off and putting it back on. if it's anything like that i'd do it myself but i've never looked into doing it on my truck.

 

Do it yourself! A new seal is like $8.
here's what you do. Take your driveshaft off(mark the position of your driveshaft to the yolk before you remove it.
The big nut in the middle you see is what needs to come off. You want to mark the nut with a marker or chalk before doing anything. Once you break it free(should only take 1/2 turn, you want to count the number of turns it takes to get that big nut off. Then pry the seal out, put the new one in and then thread that bolt back on using the same amount of turns it took to get off. it may be a little tight toawrds the end if the pinion shaft fell into the housing a little bit. Once you get those marks aligned up. Simply tighten that nut about 1/8 turn past the original markings and slap your driveshaft back on. No need for torqueing as torqueing the collar proplery is w/out wheels attached and goes based upon carrier drag.
Your not gonna go through all of that. Just do as I say and you will be golden. Don't make things harder than what they need to be. This is the way many shops do the seal change.
Specs for everything together is like 10-12ft/lbs for that nut just to give you an idea. USE LOC-TITE.

 

for using my exp from the wrangler i didn't do too bad but i figured dog would know it he's the diff king.

 

No, not really, but thanks for the props!

 

Hey redone, Mine is leaking a little also. Noticed it Tuesday. O'Reillys had to order the seal and its supposed to be here today. I was going to pick it up tomorrow after work and change it out. When I first noticed it i was a little worried but then I got on here and read a previous post by Dog on replacing it and now I don't think it will be a problem. Thanks for the info Dog! Redone, just make sure you keep a eye on the gear oil level in the dif if you don't change it right away.

 

well, i made an appointment for next wednesday since i only have 3000 mi left til the warranty is out. Maybe they will find some other stuff to fix for free lol. I needed the pcm flashed anyways. Ill do the diff fluid myself if they dont pull the cover off to do the seal. if they do, ill bring em amsoil to put back in for me.
As i was afraid of, the dealer is cockier than ever now that most have closed down. I have to drop it off next wednesday, and they said get a rental car cause its gonna be a few days. I said, what??? come on. he said, well, you dont have many choices on where else to take it do you? they claim to be so busy now that its gonna take longer. well, we will see.

 

It is an easy fix, but, if you can have it done under warranty--why not. If for some stupid reason the diff goes out, and it still happens to be under warranty, and they figure you changed the seal, they may reject it saying you didn't get the pinion nut properly tightened.

Just my .02

 

That's because it's warranty work. i would tell them no freakin way. it's an hour job at best plus 1/2 for a flash. The whole reason to make an appointment ahead of time is so you don't have to leave your vehicle for an extended period of time.
Honestly, i would call up Chrysler and explain to them what they have told you. Everything gets kept by Chrysler and that's what helps them Rank Dealers by Customer Satisfaction. Also, by the dealer doing that, it makes Chrysler look bad. I'd call'em and give it a shot.

FYI, My Insurance Company (StateFarm) has rental coverage not only for accidents but for car repair as well. At least my policy does. If you have rental car coverage, see if you are covered from the time you drop your truck off until you pick it up? Also, worth a shot.

 

Check your warranty, some of them provide for a rental while in for repairs. If he has to provide a rental I bet it gets fixed right away!