Rear diff leaking - my first problem

So... I was going strong with no problems and was proud of having no problems. Pushing 82xx miles and my brother yesterday said that there were a couple oil spots on my driveway. I looked under the rear of the truck and noticed the rear diff was leaking.

Just dropped the truck off at Tustin Toyota and they put me into a complimentary RAM 1500 until they can fix the issue. Should have more information around 2pm today.

2016 TRD Sport 4x2 Double Cab Long Bed

Mods on the truck are as follows:
Pro Comp Nitro 3" Front 1" Rear
TRD Pro 4Runner Rims
285/70/17

For those of you that are blind, I have circled the oil spots in the first picture.

 

Damn, that's a good sized leak you have going on. Interested in the outcome.

Going to keep a close eye on my diff. So far so good.

 

Better get it in quick before another person has the same problem and suddenly "they all do that"

In all seriousness though, it should be pretty obvious to the techs what the problem is and there should be no problem with getting it fixed up.

Edit: Ohhhhh just noticed you have a lift. Now this just got interesting. This has potential to be the next big thread. In before a blown pinion seal and or bearing is blamed on your lift.

 

Looks like a drop on the drain bolt too? Maybe just a new plug washer.. I've had a leak there too but it was my own fault, just didn't torque the drain bolt enough to properly seat a new washer after changing oil.

No matter what that sucks.

 

At least there's fluid in the diff....badum ching

 

Looks like the leak in coming from the front seal of the diff then running down to the low point...

 

Looks like a pinion seal leak

 

Just got off the phone and they said "The gaskets were bad so we ordered new ones and the truck should be done by the end of the day tomorrow, its good that its not the whole trans and just the gaskets"

Whole transmission huh..

 

Gaskets (with an s) were bad? I thought there was a rear gasket (to remove the cover) and a pinion seal up at the front. They BOTH went bad at the same time? Odd....

Usually the pinion seal fails and the oil drips back down the differential and soaks the gasket/dif cover back there.

Well, keep us updated as time goes on, glad it was a simple fix!

 

The service advisor had no clue what I was talking about when I said rear diff. He kept saying "Rear transmission" when he was talking to me.

 

oh jesus please no. Unless English wasn't his first language, I would say thank you for the diagnostic and go to another dealership. The front of the differential is the pinion seal and you have to remove the pinion nut to get it out. If they don't properly torque that nut when they put the new seal on, goodbye pinion bearing.

Well, at least you still have many miles left in your warranty.

Make sure you consciously check for speed related vibrations (40mph +) and any sort of howling/whining noise that may develop from the rear after this repair. A dealership destroyed my rear differential on the last truck I had when replacing the pinion seal....

 

Ive have had pretty good luck with this dealership. My normal service advisor was off today so this guy is just temporary. Their service techs seem to know what they are doing.

Also this is a company vehicle. I get a new truck every 2 years /40,000 miles so wont worry too much about it.

 

Sorry to hear you got stuck with a ram.
My condolences for your brief loss

 

The RAM is horrible. This stupid knob gearshift is the stupidest thing I have ever seen. Almost as bad as the Lincoln buttons.

 

I would have thought pinion seal too based on those pictures. Is that the new 8.8 rear end or is that only for the 4WD model?

 

Slightly off topic but is the dealer you usually have good experiences with Miller? I just noticed your city, I'm nearby and Miller will be the closest dealer to me.

Maybe I'll spot you one day. There's a few MGM sports rolling around Fullerton but I haven't seen a lifted with TRD rims one yet.

 

It's alright . We ll have computers driving us around soon enough. No need for any controls

 

Was dropped off at Tustin. It's right down the street from my work so easier to get to during my lunches even though I live about 2 miles fron Miller.

 

Dammit ok thanks, was hoping someone could give a good recommendation to Miller so I'd be comfortable going there.