I finally got both diff fluids on my frontier replaced a couple weeks ago. Today I found the rear pinion seal leaking. Could the valvoline I put in instead of Nissan fluid caused this or just the seal was due? It's the correct spec fluid.
I finally got both diff fluids on my frontier replaced a couple weeks ago. Today I found the rear pinion seal leaking. Could the valvoline I put in instead of Nissan fluid caused this or just the seal was due? It's the correct spec fluid.
Did it cause the leak? No. Did changing to fresh fluid so the junk came free of the seal allowing it to leak? More likely
Did you pull the cover, or did you suck out the old stuff with a tube?
If you did the tube, you likely drew a small vacuum which could have been enough to move the seal. I've seen it happen, and the common theory is that the seal pulls in a bit, and brings some of the crud from the yoke with it resulting in a leak.
If not, bobzilla hit the nail on the head. It's the same reason for the wive's tale of switching to synthetic motor oil causing leaks. Old-school cork gaskets would get packed full of crud, and the increased solvency of the synthetic dissolves the crud, allowing leaks.
In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :
Thankfully, There is a drain bolt at the bottom of the diff.
Replacing that seal is not that hard but getting the pinion nut back to the original position???
DIY or professional job?
Mark the clocking of the nut with a punch and count the exposed threads. Remove the nut, change the seal and put the nut back where it came from.
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