Here are pics of the front differential leak...

[hecsz28]

So I posted about a month ago that I was going to buy a 2005 TB for $1500. It has 116,000miles. The reason it was so cheap is that the dealer told the guy that it needed a new front differential.

I finally got around to looking at it and here are some pics of what I found. It looks like the front diff is leaking from where it connects to the driver's side wheel. I stuck my finger into the fill hole and couldn't feel any oil in there. I figure I need to drain whatever is left in there and see if there are any metal pieces, but it looks fine through the fill hole.

What do you guys think. I am thinking I should be good if I just fix the leak and fill. How hard is this to fix? Thanks.

[jackedupcanyon]

Very minimum put some oil in there temporarily to get you by for now. Have you priced this out at the dealership or trusted local mechanic to give you an order of magnitude?

[bartonmd]

It's junk... You want to sell it to me for $1800, I'll even pick it up...

In reality, best case, it's a $5 seal, worst case it's a $300 front diff from a junk yard, and a weekend install in your driveway...

Just put some oil in the diff, and see how long it takes to go down... If you've got to add oil to the diff every oil change, I'd leave it... If it's more often, I'd change the seal...

Mike

[Robert1101]

Is there a pronounced grove in the shaft or is it smooth?

[hecsz28]

I want to fix this myself if possible. I don't currently drive it, so I am not worried about getting by for now.
I want to fix it before I start driving it. I am hoping it is just the seal and not the differential. How can I know if the diff is bad? It didn't make any noise when I drove it a few weeks ago.

Originally Posted by Robert1101

Is there a pronounced grove in the shaft or is it smooth?

I'm not exactly sure what you mean, what part is it in the pics?

Thanks.

[wheelieking]

I think he means the axle shaft. If the seal was real bad or had junk in it then it would have worn a groove in the shaft where it contacts the seal. This would make a new seal still leak.

[hecsz28]

Oh, ok. I don't think it is. I am going to try to remove it this weekend and see what it looks like and also maybe get a better look at the inside of the differential. It doesnt make noise so I hope it looks ok. If all looks good, I bought the seal to replace it. Thanks.

[markarock]

The seal is a dealer only item. Easy to remove and replace.

Just stick synthetic 75W-90 gear lube back in when you are done.

Not a big deal. They commonly leak. But if it was run dry on oil, you will have to replace the front diff at some point. Looking at the gear in the one pic suggests that it has not burned up yet.

[rachman4]

im experiencing a similar leak and found the front diff fluid to be low. is it ok to drive it with the oil low if your in normal 2wd drive driving?

[the roadie]

Did you miss my reply in your other thread? The answer is no. It's not safe. Yo have to keep up with the leak.