Rear differential oil leak - help

Hi all,

I have an oil leak on my rear diff coming from the prop shaft pinion. I’ve been advised it’s likely to be an oil seal and possibly blocked breather pipe. There is no play in my prop and none in the driveshafts. I have bought the parts and I wanted to fix it myself (or try to) I have looked in the manual and it isn’t much help but found videos online on what to do.

From my research I believe the following steps have to be taken;

Prop off, mark nut placement on flange and note the turns for putting it back on, take off flange, pull out seal, clean, put in new seal and repeat steps in reverse?
Breather pipe is literally disconnect and connect new one?

The problem that worries me is that I’ve just been told I need a diff spacer to complete the work...?

is this correct? Can anyone help and advise if I’ve got it wrong?

I’m not the most mechanically minded person but I’m trying with this car to save a few bob.

thanks.

Before going further with the diff. Has the vehicle just had new tyres? If so, were these identical and were they fitted to the rear?

c_figliola said:

Prop off, mark nut placement on flange and note the turns for putting it back on, take off flange, pull out seal, clean, put in new seal and repeat steps in reverse?

Click to expand...

That's it exactly. Make sure you don't tighten the nut more than it was when it was removed.

The only reason you'd need the crush tube (spacer), would be if you were replacing the bearings, which would require specialist measuring equipment and specifications to use it.

Thanks for the replies. The vehicle had new tyres about 18 months ago. General grabber at3 all around by previous owner. When I got the got car in November last year I noticed after a matter of weeks the VCU has seized. I got the prop taken off And drove it with no issues for 6 months until I found a reconditioned one. I had that fitted and obviously since that has gone on it’s become apparent that the diff was leaking.

so I definitely don’t actually need this spacer replaced? As I’ve found the part all ready to buy...

c_figliola said:

I found a reconditioned one. I had that fitted and obviously since that has gone on it’s become apparent that the diff was leaking

Click to expand...

I'd check the VCU is working correctly, as one of the signs stiff VCU, is a stressed rear diff loosing it's oil.

c_figliola said:

so I definitely don’t actually need this spacer replaced? As I’ve found the part all ready to buy.

Click to expand...

If you're just changing the oil seal, you don't need the crush tube.

Vcu is working fine. There was the tiniest leak when it got put on. So obviously the strain of the old VCU has already damaged the seal. The problem wasn’t apparent until the prop went back on. Does not leak when standing only when moving.

I’m changing the oil seal and the breather. So just want to be sure. Don’t want to take it apart to find out I should of done the diff spacer. Would rather check with people that know their stuff.
Thanks