Rear Differential Leakage?

[Mike2thaC]

I have never owned a RWD car until my 300 Touring. I did have a Dakota for like a year, but never a car.

I have a question about the rear differential. Is the area around the rear diff supposed to be bone dry, or is some spray to be expected? I had the dealership look at the rear diff when I noticed a couple spots on my garage floor during the winter. They told me it was just water coming out of a pin hole in the exhaust that was designed to dissipate condensation. Well, I had my tires rotated at a tire shop, and they let me look under my car while it was on the lift. I noticed a drop of oil (?) hanging on the rear diff, and what looked like a slight spray of oil all around where the diff connects to the drive shaft.

Should I be worried about this? It doesn't seem natural. Why would they lie and tell me it was exhaust water? Wouldn't they want to charge DCX to fix it under warranty?

[boggart]

You should be concerned. It should be covered by Warranty if your car is still under warranty. It could have been exhaust water before, but leaking now? Or they might not have seen it? Dunno, but it shouldn't leak. Better get it back in there.

[Black on Black]

I had what I considered to be "seepage" on the underside of the differential, and the dealer told me that there is a "vent" on the top of the differential that does dissipate some fluid when the inside of the differential heats up. That could be what you're experiencing as well. No harm in bringing it back in for another look!

[Rev.Hammer]

Smell it. If it stinks and is greasy, it's diff oil. If it doesn't and it feels like water then it is exhaust condensation.

[Mike2thaC]

I can tell from the "spray" around the driveshaft that it is oily. There's not a whole lot of "spray". Just enough to be noticeable. I also haven't noticed any drips lately, so I was suprised to see a drop hanging on the drive shaft.

I'm afraid to take it to the dealership right now because I hit a spare tire donut that was in the road, a couple weeks ago, and all it did was break the plastic shields on the bottom and crunch a radiator brace. The dealership wants $820 to fix it. I almost had to call the cops because I felt like I was assaulted after hearing that price. I don't want them to say the diff is leaking now because I ran over a spare tire. The tire I hit didn't even go past the radiator brace that I crunched.

[fnkychkn]

we have repaired several leaky rear diffs on LX. most were leaky pinion seals but some were also leaking from axle seals. if axle seals have to be replaced, be ready to leave vehicle for the day, it's quite a big job. make sure they check axle vent for blockage which could cause pressure build-up and seal failure.

[SilverMagRT]

I don’t think a dealer would dare blame the spare you hit for causing damage to the rear differential. Had the tire gone all the way under your car there would be a trail of damage exhaust, floor pan . . .