Strange oil leakage.

[cossiemk2]

I have a strange oil leak from my rear diff.

My diff slammed into the floor when my rear x-member bent.

Now it leaks oil in between the front flange and the propshaft.

I took the prop off and it's coming out between the large locknut and the flange.

I changed the nut and fitted an O-ring under it, but still no luck.

Has anybody had this on his car?

Could I maybe have a cracked flange?

cheeRS, Jurgen.

[TimoXr4i]

Had it on the track once, wasnt there some seal inbetween?

Looked at it once, got the bolts of the second time, and replacd it with another diff the third time, dunno what diff you use? I normally got a sierra for a case of beer, sold the engine and loom, and used the shocks, diff and rear axle, but still haveonly one diff laying around...

[cossiemk2]

I'm using a 7.5" diff from a Granada/Scorpio.

Well I didn't take the prop off after the incident, so I can't really see why it started leaking after that.

I took the nut off and the was some sort of nylon/fibre ring under it, but it crumbled to bits, so I thought it was just dirt or something.

If I have time I'll take the prop aff again and check.

Maybe the impact damaged the ring??

[TimoXr4i]

Could be, normally a diff breaks at its shafts, but if you hit anything hard, even the casing might break, had it at lelystad once. You cant really use a rubber o ring in such a oily place,its better to use a fiber ring, they seal better in oily conditions like that.

I think you better get the diff on the wokbench and see whats exactly broken, and make some pictures for on the forum.

[cossiemk2]

Erm yeah take the diff off.

I don't think thats gonna happen anytime soon, as it's a pig to get off under my car.

I'll take the prop and flange off, and see if I can find anything.

[Dave]

 
Possible the casing has cracked that may allow the oil to leak out & make it look like it's the front flange.

Also I assume you have replaced the oil seal & it's best to just dab a bit of sealer on the nut however they only leak there if the spline is worn.

[turboshed]

change the drive input flange,probably worn.there is a washer which is seperate to the flange,take it off and look at the rear of it,if its loose then its worn.the oil comes down the splines and comes out, the washer seals up against the leading edge of the pinion.

[cossiemk2]

I think I'll take the flange of this Saturday.

I think I have one spare. I dunno if the 7 and 7.5" diffs use the same flange?

But it started leaking after it hit the floor, so maybe that washer behind the flange cracked?

We'll see but thanks for the input.

[cossiemk2]

Well I think I've found it.

Took of the flange saturday, here's how it looks.


It's leaking in between the flange and the ring that's under the locknut.

I pressed out the ring and it looks like there used to be some sort of sealant under there?


I fitted some new sealant and pressed the ring back in, looks like it's leak free ATM.
I also fitted an O-ring behind the splines to prevent oil creeping up the splines.

[Dave]

Result!

Nice easy fix, could have been so much worse.

[cossiemk2]

Going for a drive tonight. It started leaking when the oil warmed up. Gonna check for leaks tommorow, hoping it's sorted now.)