Pinion seal leak?

I bought a 96 4x4 a few months ago and noticed that it appears to be slinging oil all over the bottom of the bed.

I’ve never had this issue before but to me it looks like the pinion seal is leaking diff fluid that’s being flung by the driveshaft. I checked the diff fluid and it seems to be at the right level.

Am I on the right track here? Anything else I should look at well I’m in there? Tips / tricks?

 

I replaced mine about a year ago, doing the same thing. I believe OEM is around $20. Pretty easy job, have some sort of punch to push out the detent in the nut and make a mark where it was before loosening it. I followed TimtheToolman's video on Youtube. Very thorough instruction

 

Appreciate it candrews86, I’ll check it out. I love this guys videos

 

Check for a plugged breather vent on the top of the axle housing by unscrewing it. Plugged vents can force oil out the seals.

 

I’ll take a look at this as well. Thanks for the tip

 

I had the same issue a couple years ago, replaced the pinion seal and leak stopped for awhile but came back. I ended up getting a fully assembled diff from east coast gear supply and used that as an excuse to add a locker at that time. I recommend them if you have any other diff needs but hope the pinion seal solves it for you

 

I'll look into them If I need to go that route.

I also have a sneaking suspicion that the previous owner may have regeared. Does anyone know what I would look for to confirm?

 

^^^The most certain way to know is by jacking up the rear and counting the driveshaft revolutions vs. one tire revolution.

 

timmy the toolman !

 

Just in case anyone else is having this problem it was 100% a clogged breather valve on the top of the diff.

I was a little skeptical that it would just be this based on the shear volume of oil that was being sprayed in all directions but ya always want to try the simplest solution first.

I found that my breather value was completely caked in mud so I unscrewed it and shot carb cleaner through it. I wiped down some of the most affected areas before I went on a 12 hour drive to Maine and was shocked that it remained bone dry.

Thanks again for the tip truckmike26

 

Glad I could help. It's nice when it's something simple.