rear diff oil leak

have already posted this but think i put it in wrong section. hi am new member and just got my first freelander, which is a 98 2l diesel. i bought it on sunday 13th nov. brought it back home 350 mile trip no problems. yesterday noticed oil coming out of rear diff where the propshaft coupling goes in the diff. also there is a bit of play when you shake the prop shaft about, would anyone know what the problem woulb be. is it normal to be able to move shaft about by hand. if it is would it need a new oil seal. if its more sinister and i need a new diff can i fit any, or does it have to be from the same year as i have read that ratios changed on later models. thanks for your help.steve(have just read another post on here where oil is coming out of the diff breather and sprayed over rear bumper and tailgate. could i have same problem my bumper has oil sprayed on it, if so what is the remedy.) thanks

Backlash is normal.

Its coming from your Diff Pinion Seal, by your description.

Can replace the seals easily, remove prop bolts, remove prop, remove bolt holding flange in, remove flange, remove seal. Technically there is more to it, but thats basically it, for full instructions go download Rave

Check to see if your diff breather is blocked perhaps, also, oil on your bumper , you sure they didnt just 'black' it. Since the bumpers are prone to fading to grey.

thanks for your reply vissie, hopefully it is just a case of a new pinion seal, would a damaged seal allow so much side to side and up and down freeplay on the flange when you shake the propshaft. this is all new to me so your help is appreciated.

rotational play is fine but up and down play means a more sinister problem. pinion bearings are goosed and need replacing...or you may get by a little
longer by tightening the pinion nut-having said that if you've got oil staining on rear bumper then the leak at some point may have done further damage in your diff..does it rumble or whine when driving?

Main concern is the cause of your diff woes which I'm suspecting may be VCU related. search for VCU test on this forum and check yours out, Bell Engineering will do you a good price on a replacement..Duff vcus can destroy diffs and IRDs (Freelander transfer box)

cheers joe . do you just drift bearing out from the back. my haynes manual came today not very much about the diff. cheers. steve

make sure if you get another diff it is for the same car they do differ (maybe thats why they call then differentals ) td4 auto is different than a td4 manuel and so on
hope this helps

Are you sure the play is in the prop and not the diff itself moving where the three mounts are knackered? The rubber bits on these things are prone to breaking and if all of them have had it the diff can move about a lot.

You generally hear quite a bit of clunking from inside the vehicle though if this is the case.

yes definitely the prop having a lot of swagger on it. just to confirm it there was a big crunching mangling sound coming from the diff as i pulled in front of the house today. i will have to put it into 2wd so i can drive it to mates garage to get repaired when my parts come for it next week. is this just a case of removing full propshaft. cheers steve

i have put new pinion bearing and seal in, there is now no play or oil leak. i tightened pinion nut up just enough to take up end float, all seemed well but now i am getting a loud noise coming from back of car every now and then. could it be coincidence and be a wheel bearing or shoes binding or rear mounts. when back wheels are off floor you can turn pinion flange by hand and it feels nice and smooth. it is still in 2wd my new vcu came today but are reluctant to put it on until i find the fault. any suggestions welcomed. thanks steve

If you had oil coming out the rear diff breather it could be because the rear tyres are not the same size as the fronts.

Lots of advice on here explaining that new or 'less worn' tyres should go on the rear.

Ignore this and you may well have another VCU failure and overheating of rear diff.

Takes no time to swap them around and may save you plenty cash.