Pinion Seal Housing

[rasch]

Hello,
I have removed my rear differential to update seals, wheel bearings, bushings... but I never opened the differential which itself seems to be in solid condition.  It was leaking from the front, and I intend to replace the pinion seal. 

My question is, does the pinion seal housing ever leak?  Is removal and reinstallation straight forward or do I need to worry about anything that is not obvious?  Since the axle is out, I want to take care of anything that could be a problem now, but I also don't want to fix something that isn't broken and create an unintentional problem.  From my experience differential covers don't leak that often but I also have read of a recommendation to remove the front housing cover.



Thanks!

[rwmastel]

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/DriveShaft/Differential

When you get your details and get the work done, perhaps you could add an entry here to help members with future repairs.

Is the silver color just a personal preference or did a restoration shop do that?

[rasch]

I see what you mean... however, the color is actually black. I think it just looks silverish in the photo due to reflected light or maybe it being overcast.  I painted it myself using black epoxy primer/sealer and Eastwood chassis black as a topcoat.   

[ja17]

The two machined surfaces are not normally a source for leaks. I believe that no gasket is used, just sealer.

[rasch]

I ended up taking the front housing off and resealing.  It was easier to install the new pinion seal this way and since I had already gone this far I would have regretted not doing it if it did leak once I had everything back together.  I found it quite easy to remove.  The pictures show the front bearing inside behind the front housing/flange.  The original seal appears to just be  a sealant.  I used Permatex gear oil sealant made for differentials. 

[rwmastel]

... It was easier to install the new pinion seal this way ....  I used Permatex gear oil sealant made for differentials.

Rasch,

Is there an actual seal (paper, rubber, or something)?  Or, is the seal just the Permatex goop?  Thanks.

[rasch]

rwmastel,

There is no seal (paper or rubber gasket).  there was a thin layer of hardened chemical sealant.  It looked like dried shellac gasket, or it might have been some kind of Anaerobic Gasket Maker (if they used that back then).  Or it could have also been some kind of adhesive sealant.