mcat

Hi,
I searched but couldn't find a thread for a leak at the drive shaft at the rear differential.
I have a 99 Ls400 142k.

I was having a local shop patch a small leak in my exhuast pipe and I noticed
a bit of a leak in the differential.
The bottom of the differentIial is oily
It appears it's leaking where the shaft goes into the differential.
No leaks at the rear of diff or at fill or drain plugs.

Is this common?
What might this repair cost?
Have no idea. Looks pretty straight forward.

Thanks much

cat

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

not common. if the pinion seal is leaking it won't be cheap to fix since the whole diff would have to come apart.

if its not a bad leak (and you're SURE its coming from where you say) then i'd just live with it and check the fluid every so often, or buy another rear end and swap it out.

LEXTEK1

I have replaced a few half shaft seals on that diff. I think he's talking about the axle shafts as opposed to the drive shaft!

mcat

Yes. I'm asking about the drive shaft.

cat

deanshark

Just to make sure everyone knows exactly where you are talking about so there's no confusion b/c parts have different names. The normal (on other cars) driveshaft is actually called the "Propeller Shaft" (tranny to differential) The "drive shafts" on these cars are called a few different names, Half shaft, Axle shaft, Drive shaft. They go from the differential to the wheel.
If you are talking about the front of the differential leaking, (Propeller Shaft) that would be a PITA to take care of. If it's the sides, (Drive Shafts) it's still a little pain but not too bad.
Check out pages SA-71 and SA-77 of this to see how it needs to be done; http://home.student.utwente.nl/gombe...%20and%20Axle/
I hope that clears it up for you.

rick1987

iTrader: (1)

bringing back an old thread.

I had my car on a lift today for an oil change and I noticed my rear diff is leaking. I believe it to be the seal for the Propeller shaft.

I have oil sprayed all over the exhuast and around where the seal is.


If this si that much of a PITA, Can someone recomend something else I can do? thicker oil?