Pinion seal leak

04GT

04GT

New Member
Oct 8, 2003
284
0
0
Southwest Ohio
#1
I had gears put in last April. Since then, I've taken the car back 3 times for a small leak. Now it's back again for the 4th time. It's just a small leak, like maybe 1-2" in diameter on the garage floor. Each time I've taken it back, they said it was the pinion seal so they replaced it.

Seems obvious that something must be causing the pinion seal to leak. Any idea what could be causing this? Could it be something with the driveshaft?

I called the shop back and told them about it today. Waiting to hear back from them.
 
#3
I had a gear job.Leaked next day. The performance shop said they re-used the original seal.I couldn't go back to have them fix it(far distance)so I went to a local shop to replace the seal . The tech said there was a burr cutting into the pinion seal. Burr was removed, new seal was installed and took care of that problem. However(NEW SUBJECT) the gear job lasted one year and had to be re-done.It was not installed correctly.Also a bit of a hack job. Work was done by Performance Specialists in Pottstown.
 
#4
I bought mine with 4:10's installed and 9k miles on it. First time I got under it I noticed gear oil everywhere. The dealer changed the seal and not even a week later it was leaking again. There was also a high speed vibration. I changed out the driveshaft but that didnt fix it. I really think its the pinion angle being set incorrectly. 20k miles later and its going into the shop on Tuesday to have the rear end rebuilt as it ate through the pinion race? The mechanic said the pinion nut could have loosened up. I will be happy when they fix it.
 
#5
04GT said:
I had gears put in last April. Since then, I've taken the car back 3 times for a small leak. Now it's back again for the 4th time. It's just a small leak, like maybe 1-2" in diameter on the garage floor. Each time I've taken it back, they said it was the pinion seal so they replaced it.

Seems obvious that something must be causing the pinion seal to leak. Any idea what could be causing this? Could it be something with the driveshaft?

I called the shop back and told them about it today. Waiting to hear back from them.
Click to expand...


I had my 4.10's installed by the "best shop in the state, the one that works on Vipers and real Cobra R's" and my pinion seal leaked after about a month. They installed the seal dry and it wasn't leaking at the rubber seal area - it was leaking between the metal part of the seal and the housing. I installed a new seal with ultra black RTV applied to the housing and have no leaks now.
 
#6
Thanks for the responses guys. Because nobody was responding, I was starting to think I was the only one with this problem. Hope I don't have to have it rebuilt.

Friggin shop still hasn't called me back. :mad:
 
#7
04GT said:
Thanks for the responses guys. Because nobody was responding, I was starting to think I was the only one with this problem. Hope I don't have to have it rebuilt.

Friggin shop still hasn't called me back. :mad:
Click to expand...
I hope you do not have to rebuild also...but if you do...I had mine re-done at my Ford Dealer(I paid the price)and it has been resolved.If your shop craps out on you..think about using a Ford agency for the seal or repair.They have all of the correct tools(no sledge hammers ) & parts.
 
#8
Update: Shop called me back. They are suggesting that we replace a flange that touches the pinion seal. They went ahead and ordered one from Ford since they are only $30. I'm taking the car in tomorrow morning to let them fix it. They said that when they take the old one out they will be able to tell if it's messed up.
 
#10
Also, from another thread about this earlier today, the axle housing has a vent that can become clogged and cause excess pressure buildup inside the axle/diff assy and cause leakage at places such as pinion seal...
 
#12
Dropped my car off this morning at 8am...I called them at 10am and they said they had it apart and was working on it. I called at 3:30pm and they said he just installed the axles back into the tubes with new bearings and replaced the carrier bearings and the pinion bearing. He said they would throw some friction modifier into it in the morning and take it for a test drive. I asked them if they could align the pinion and he said no. hmph.I just told them I wanted it done right. So if there is any vibration I need to bring it to Ford and ask them to align the pinion or find out whats causing the vibration. What a nightmare this has been. On a good note though at least the FRPP gears survived. He said he was going to bill me for 4 or 5hrs plus parts.
 
#14
Took mine in yesterday, they replaced the pinion flange and the seal. The tech showed me the flange. There was a tiny groove around the center part where the seal wraps around it. He wasn't sure what would have caused it, but that might have been the cause of the leak. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if it holds.
 
#15
I got my car back today. They replaced the axle bearings, carrier bearings, pinion bearing and crush washer and pinion seal along with retorquing the pinion bearing. The car is much much better now with no slop in the rear end. But at 90+mph im getting a humm from the rear end....I dunno what it could be at 80mph its fine. This is my 4th set of tires so I dont think its that.

oh yeah it cost $448.
I called Ford and they said $700-800!!
 
#16
04GT said:
Took mine in yesterday, they replaced the pinion flange and the seal. The tech showed me the flange. There was a tiny groove around the center part where the seal wraps around it. He wasn't sure what would have caused it, but that might have been the cause of the leak. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if it holds.
Click to expand...

Harmonic balancers get those too
 
#18
Going to pick the car up today after work. The tech told me he replace the seal again and added sealant this time. He said that the seal comes with sealant already on it, but he added more. Hope it's fixed this time!
 
#19
have you done any suspension mods? or are you running a taller tire?

If so, check your pinion angle(of course this is if the pinion flange isn't busted) it may be off.

Actually I would check it regardless...also, if you keep taking it back to the same shop, and they can't fix it...try another shop...you never know what could happen.
 
#20
Only suspension mod is SFC. My tires are same as stock: 245/45/17.

Don't think I would know how the check the pinion angle.

I keep taking it back to the same shop, b/c they are not charging me...at least not yet.
 
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