01 Ram 1500 Short Box 5.9 L 4x4 3.55 gears 50,000 miles. A couple
weeks ago I noticed a leak coming from the rear end. At first I
thought it was the gasket around the cover. After I wiped everything
up I have notice that the rear end is starting to get leak again. Took
about two weeks to reach this stage. It seems to be leaking slowly
from the u-joint area into the rear end. About 3 years ago I changed
out both u-joints on the drive shaft. The rear one started to make
noise. I made sure to put greasable ones on. What would cause this
leak, or what other measures should I take to know if this is a big
deal? The fluid is checked every 3,000 miles at a local oil lube shop.
Appreciate any help or advice.
SnoMan - 07 Jul 2006 02:29 GMT
>01 Ram 1500 Short Box 5.9 L 4x4 3.55 gears 50,000 miles. A couple
>weeks ago I noticed a leak coming from the rear end. At first I
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>deal? The fluid is checked every 3,000 miles at a local oil lube shop.
> Appreciate any help or advice.
Sounds like pinion seal is seeping a bit. No cause for alarm until it
starts driping a lot and then it is time to change it.
-----------------
The SnoMan
www.thesnoman.com
tiggy@gisco.net - 07 Jul 2006 02:31 GMT
How much of a job is it to change? I haven't noticed any fluid making
it to the ground yet.
SnoMan - 07 Jul 2006 03:41 GMT
>How much of a job is it to change? I haven't noticed any fluid making
>it to the ground yet.
The hardest part is getting the pinion nut off as it can take some
serious tools (I use a 3/4 inch impact gun). It is VERY important
though that you scrib a mark on pinion stub and nut before you rem0ove
it and tighten it back to same place to keep preload correct. Get it
too tight and set preload to high and you can burn up pinion bearing
and have a lot bigger problems.
-----------------
The SnoMan
www.thesnoman.com