2021 Ford Ranger FX4 TRS-3 Project Build

[sgtsandman]

I did a article once, a existing topic was there but I think mine was more detailed & with pictures, both were still there the last time I looked. Somehow I “lost” the supporting member badge, I thought that automatically renewed? It did last years anyways. Might be a site glitch, guess we will see when I post this comment- or not.

For whatecer reason, the forum and the pay site do not always communcate the way they should. It seems to be happening more with the new software. The tag to Jim above will prompt him to check it out and manually fix it.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I did a article once, a existing topic was there but I think mine was more detailed & with pictures, both were still there the last time I looked. Somehow I “lost” the supporting member badge, I thought that automatically renewed? It did last years anyways. Might be a site glitch, guess we will see when I post this comment- or not.

What was the article?

Nevermind, found it:

https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/rear-axle-shaft-seal-replacement/

Fixed it.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I was looking under my Ranger today and saw that the bottom of my rear differential and the bottom end of my gas tank skid plate is wet, and you can see spots where it looks like oil has been flung, but there aren't any wet spots on the ground under it. It looks like my pinion seal is leaking pretty badly when the driveshaft spins. I had to have the front pinion seal replaced, but it was just wet on the bottom lip. This looks like a pretty serious leak. And unfortunately, I can't find any alternative spots where it could be coming from.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I checked the differential fluid, and it was low. I added 5-ounces. Looks like I'll be replacing a pinion seal. If anyone has any tips on replacing it and nut messing up the pinion preload in the process let me know.

 

[Jim Oaks]

This is a dealer item. Not available in parts stores.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I just had the oil changed Thursday and the tires rotated and balanced on Friday. If anything, you'd think the guy balancing the rear tires would have questioned the oil spatter.

 

[SenorNoob]

Crazy that it's leaking already, but the 01 rear in mine is still fine. Defective or designed to fail, I wonder?

 

[Jim Oaks]

So I had checked the fluid back in December when I drove to Ohio and ended up adding gear oil, but checked it coming back and it was over full. It must not have been level when I checked it on one of those occasions.

A few days I ago I parked it on a level surface and checked the rear diff fluid. As soon as I removed the fill plug oil came out, so I let the excess drain out and screwed the plug back on.

I also checked the vent tube and confirmed that it's not clogged.

Tonight I can home after driving for a couple of hours and when I got out of the truck I smelled something hot. I felt all four wheels and they felt normal. I crawled underneath and felt the diff cover and it and the pumpkin felt hot. I'd say the cover felt hotter. I just got done driving 75 mph for 1.5 hours, so that's obviously a factor. It could also be that gear oil flung on the exhaust pipe and that's what I smelled.

It's weird. There's definitely gear oil coming from this thing, but it's not losing a lot either. I have a new seal but I haven't replaced it yet because:

1) It's not that simple. I have to reinstall the nut back on the pinion and make sure it goes back into the exact position, or I'll end up destroying the ring gear.

2) The premature failure if the seal makes me concerned that there's another issue going on. I'd say I noticed this leak somewhere around 85k miles.

I've abused the 8.8 in my other Ranger and have never had a seal leak.

Tomorrow I'll check the fluid level.