how can i check if the rear differential is leaking?

**dingguhlbary** · 08-31-2007 02:04 AM

so im going around checking cars and doing most of what this says
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2080285

but how do i check if the rear differential is leaking? thanks

**tamadrumr88** · 08-31-2007 03:01 AM

the rear diff will look "wet" in spots more so than others, especially on the lower side of it thanks to gravity at work

dont get me wrong, it leaks, but not enough to worry me. one day when im feeling ambitious ill crawl under there and top it off. its not leaking enough to worry me at this point because its not like i have puddles under my car (then again it may be completely dry who knows)

**audiness** · 08-31-2007 04:53 PM

mine leaks around both rear driveshaft seals. I drained it because i was scared that all the fluid was gone, but when I drained it , it was missing hardly an fluid.
I filled it w. fresh oil and good to go

**.Mad Hatter.** · 08-31-2007 06:38 PM

thing with diff. fluid is that it will only leak out when the car is in motion, so there more than likely wont be a puddle. get underneath it and look for fluid around the axles, at the diff. it leaks VERY SLOWLY, mine have been leaking since x mas and i just got them done. they leak more in the warm weather, so nows the time to do them.

**nchiarel** · 08-22-2009 09:54 AM

i cant find any good DIY's on fixing this leak, anyone know where i could find one?

**J Ozzie** · 08-22-2009 07:19 PM

yeah id say fix youe leaking diff if it is.. i was told by a mechanic when i had my talon..
'' your diff is sweating but dont worry''
Next thing you know me n the gf are on a road trip doing 180 to head to K town and BOOM my diff locks up oil spills onto my custom 3'' exhaust and then catches on fire!
Yeah ill never get that smell out of my head.
All our clothes smelled like diff oil for weeks no matter how many times we washed them..

**blmlozz** · 08-22-2009 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by nchiarel

i cant find any good DIY's on fixing this leak, anyone know where i could find one?

There's not alot to write about.. pop the axle off, then there's a single bolt that holds the flange on and then you have direct access to the seal. only hard part is putting the seal back in the correct depth and angle since there's no easy dummy stopper. If you're doing something like this for the first time It's good to have an extra seal or two. I destroyed two trying to get the seals in correctly.

**nchiarel** · 08-22-2009 11:07 PM

Well todau i just replaced my tbb and f hose and filled up my rear diff (it took a whole quart so i odnt think its doing too well). Im going to check it in a week or two to see how much its leaking then ill make the decision. It has 63,000 miles and the fluid has never been changed. U think i should change it or wait a couple weeks to see how bad it is? Where can i get the seals and how expensive is the repair/can i do it myself?