Rear diff input bearing seal shot at 1,500 miles

Quad T · 08-03-2005, 05:35 AM

I've read the threads about low fluid in the rear diff so I have watched the drain plug, the filler plug and the seal between the aluminum cover and the pumpkin and they have all been dry. So imagine my surprise when I discovered about a dozen drops of oil on my driveway under the rear of the truck.

Sooooooo, I crawled up under there only to find splattered oil on the back of the gas tank, the exhaust heat shield, the tail pipe, the rectangular plastic canister, the protective plate under the canister, the rubber brake lines, the frame cross brace, and the front of the pumpkin itself.

I have no idea how much fluid I've lost but by the looks of the splatter it is no small amount. I'm sure the dealer is going to discover the bearing seal for the input shaft is leaking because the oil has got to be coming from or dripping onto something that is spinning around and there is nothing above the pumpkin that could drip oil, and the input shaft is clearly spinning around.

I wonder how many other bearing seals out there are bad and this is why people are having the rear diff fluid go down???

All I know for sure is this will become a hassle. The dealer will not order the seal in preparation for my visit next Tuesday, so when I take it in, they will most likely see what I see and decide to replace that seal, then the part will be ordered and I will have to take the truck back in for a second time.

I think I’ll call the other big Nissan dealer in town and see if they would order the seal sight unseen. If they say yes maybe it is time to give my service to another dealer.

Quad T · 08-03-2005, 10:06 AM

Nobody will order the parts without looking at it first, I figured that would be the case.

So now reality has kicked in, I bet it takes them a couple days to do this repair because they will most likely have to drop the axle and take it apart in order to pull the bearing seal and press a new one in. I sure hope I'm wrong about that...

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 08-03-2005, 04:32 PM

I wonder if they won't just replace the entire rear axle and be done with it. Let us know.

Quad T · 08-04-2005, 06:57 AM

Well right now based upon the other thread I made asking for anyone with a service manual it looks like changing the seal is a simple job. Just drop the drive shaft and U-joint, use a gear puller to extract the old and then hammer in a new one. Actually, I'm thrilled it is a "simple" job.

And as an update, I think I need to check the diff on Saturday AM, I'm getting curious about how much fluid has been lost.

JefeCinco · 08-04-2005, 07:56 AM

Yes, keep the fluid level up.

How much could a seal cost? For your convenience it could well be woth the few $ to simply order and buy a seal to ensure it's available when you take your truck in for work.

Quad T · 08-04-2005, 08:58 AM

^ Funny you should say that about the seal, I was thinking of ordering one today. I could be wrong in my alalysis of where the oil is coming from, but I would be rather surprised, it just seems rather obvious by the wet front of the pumpkin and the absurd splatter.

Quad T · 08-09-2005, 09:57 AM

UPDATE
They ordered the seal befopre I took the truck in after I made some phone calls.
I dropped off the truck this morning, I should have some answers on Wednesday.
Boy, is my driveway a mess, this Titan was really marking its territory...

Skeeter · 08-09-2005, 10:19 AM

I'm having the same problem with the exact same seal only my rear main seal is also leaking. Have an appt. with dealership to fix both seals and brakes tomorrow. I let them know in plenty of time to have the seals there, but like you, who knows if they will. I will not be happy at all if they don't....dealership is 1 hour drive from me.

Quad T · 08-09-2005, 11:53 AM

Wow, Skeeter, good luck, keep me posted right here in this thread.

I hope our situations are not the start of something new that will effect lots of people. I'm just so glad I have a clean driveway, otherwise I have no idea how long I would have gone loosing fluid...

Quad T · 08-10-2005, 06:15 AM

UPDATE II
I'm driving a filthy 2001 Altima...

The dealer never called me yesterday, after I called them three times I finally got my service advisor on the phone a few minutes before 5:00. Apparently as the story goes the seal Nissan sent was the wrong one, they claim they ordered the correct seal but for some reason what was shipped was wrong - I really don't know if I believe this, but that just might be my negativity.

What I did find interesting though is the fact that I was 100% correct, the seal I said was bad is indeed the problem that is causing the rear diff fluid to be sprayed all over the bottom of my new truck.

I think TriKKy is right, this will be the last time I have service done at this dealership...

Quad T · 08-11-2005, 08:14 AM

UPDATE III
I got the truck back last night. I took it to the car wash where you do the washing with a wand and I sprayed like hell on the underside with the engine cleaner option, then rinsed it really good. I think I got most of the oil splatter off. I left the truck in my driveway today, I'm hoping when I go home tonight the cardboard under the rear diff is dry...

The dealer said there was a small nick in the metal rim around the seal, it looked like that small nick caused the rubber to tear/rip and the oil was getting through. The amount of oil lost was something in the neighborhood of 1 ounce, no big deal. We all suspect this was a one off problem. I sure hope so for others...