Differential (Pumpkin) Leak

[71Ford]

I noticed some oil on my driveway from I guess the Differential....it has grease/dirt caked on it where the drive shaft attaches(could that be a bad seal or something?).....how do I check to make sure I have enough fluid to continue driving it????? I seem to remember my old chevy had a place on the back of the pumpkin to add more...I don't see any place on my Ford..

Thanks

Shawn

[heep70]

You got a 9" right? I believe the fill plug is on the side of the diff. Kinda behind the drive line and in front of the axle tube.

[fordman]

yea its probably the seal. it can be replaced. and the fill check hole is on the drivers side of the 9 inch rear end

[390Nut]

A 3/8th's drive ratchet with a 3" or 6" extension on the drivers side of the housing. Fill with gear oil till it starts to come out the hole.

Quickest way to tell where it is coming from is to clean the housing thoroughly, then drive it for 10 minutes or so. If it's the pinion seal (behind the driveshaft yoke) it will be quite evident. Likely what it is, too, if it hasn't leaked before now.

[71Ford]

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH!

YOU GUYS ARE GREAT! I WISH THERE WAS A TOWN MADE UP OF ALL THE MEMBERS OF THIS SITE....EVERYBODY IS SO HELPFUL AND NICE.....WE COULD NAME THE TOWN UTOPIA....OR TAKE OVER THE EXISTING ONE IN TEXAS.

SHAWN

[mrsnicks]

What they said... to check the level just put your finger in the hole and you should feel fluid just under the hole level. That's how I've always been told to check it. I had a similar leak on my highboy and found out that it was the pinion nut not being fully tightened.... Once I tightened it up the leak went away. Damn previous owners...

Patrick