rear axle seal leak

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2012 6:33 pm

As a result of beating on the mustang this past weekend, I've developed a leaking axle seal on the drivers side. I looked on line and there's a great write up on how to replace it, only issue is I hesitate to do it since I have to break into the diff to unlock the axles. Nothing I've ever done before.

Is there any kind of stop leak I can put into the rear diff to at least get this to stop leaking for now? This does have the clutch pack limited slip.

Appreciate any help I could get.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:03 pm

If I had to guess I would say you wouldn't want to add a thickening agent to your diff fluid. But that is just me.........

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 8:22 am

Going with Steve. I don't know much about the clutch diff in the Mustang but the GTO's is unbelievably sensitive to what friction modifier is in there. I'd also make sure the fluid level doesn't get too low. I'd imagine a clutch type diff would eat itself very quickly if it went dry.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 8:55 am

RodneyWright wrote:

As a result of beating on the mustang this past weekend, I've developed a leaking axle seal on the drivers side. I looked on line and there's a great write up on how to replace it, only issue is I hesitate to do it since I have to break into the diff to unlock the axles. Nothing I've ever done before.

Is there any kind of stop leak I can put into the rear diff to at least get this to stop leaking for now? This does have the clutch pack limited slip.

Appreciate any help I could get.

Link to the write up? I have 'leaked' around the diff somewhere, but I think it just needs a vent. I know Mark Barnes has a vent on his Fox-body.

I've helped Randy work on his diff and it wasn't too bad. Removing the cover and c-clips is pretty much it to get the axles out.

If you want to come to my place Rodney I'd be glad to help and we could learn a little more about it together.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 8:56 am

I think I'm going the easy route first since this seems to be the same issues I had w/ my 07 GT. I'll put the stock ford fluids back in. The seal may not like the redline I'm running. Off to the dealer for the swap today. I'll check it in a few hundred miles. If it still leaks I'll replace the seal.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 9:00 am

Vincent Keene wrote:

Link to the write up? I have 'leaked' around the diff somewhere, but I think it just needs a vent. I know Mark Barnes has a vent on his Fox-body.

I've helped Randy work on his diff and it wasn't too bad. Removing the cover and c-clips is pretty much it to get the axles out.

If you want to come to my place Rodney I'd be glad to help and we could learn a little more about it together.

Hey VK, here's the link to write up....

http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthre ... =axle+seal

If adding the stock ford fluid doesn't work, I will definitely take you up on the offer to pull the axle and replace the seal since you have the pimp'n garage now!

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 9:38 am

RodneyWright wrote:

Vincent Keene wrote:

Link to the write up? I have 'leaked' around the diff somewhere, but I think it just needs a vent. I know Mark Barnes has a vent on his Fox-body.

I've helped Randy work on his diff and it wasn't too bad. Removing the cover and c-clips is pretty much it to get the axles out.

If you want to come to my place Rodney I'd be glad to help and we could learn a little more about it together.

Hey VK, here's the link to write up....

http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthre ... =axle+seal

If adding the stock ford fluid doesn't work, I will definitely take you up on the offer to pull the axle and replace the seal since you have the pimp'n garage now!

FWIW, I have a Drake rear diff cover on mine which makes draining and adding the fluid much easier. Oh yeah, I really like the wheels on the OP's car.

Just let me know Rodney. I probably need to change my diff fluid anyway after beating on it for about 14 track days now.

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 9:46 am

I assume that you've made sure that your shocks aren't leaking?

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 10:28 am

Jason Mauldin wrote:

I assume that you've made sure that your shocks aren't leaking?

Saw where it was leaking behind the backing plate for the rear brakes yesterday.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:38 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

FWIW, I have a Drake rear diff cover on mine which makes draining and adding the fluid much easier. Oh yeah, I really like the wheels on the OP's car.

Just let me know Rodney. I probably need to change my diff fluid anyway after beating on it for about 14 track days now.

VK, you interested in these wheels and tires? I bought them from Michael Westerfield just for this event. I already have another set of wheels just like it.

These are a set of GT500 knock offs from American Muscle. They are 18x10 and have a set of 275 Falken 615's mounted. As much as I tried to kill these tires, there's plenty of tread left. You can have them for what I paid for them and I've also had them rebalanced. 400 and they're yours.

Let me know. I want to get a set of lightweight 9" wide wheels so I can move into STX next year.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:42 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

Vincent Keene wrote:

FWIW, I have a Drake rear diff cover on mine which makes draining and adding the fluid much easier. Oh yeah, I really like the wheels on the OP's car.

Just let me know Rodney. I probably need to change my diff fluid anyway after beating on it for about 14 track days now.

VK, you interested in these wheels and tires? I bought them from Michael Westerfield just for this event. I already have another set of wheels just like it.

These are a set of GT500 knock offs from American Muscle. They are 18x10 and have a set of 275 Falken 615's mounted. As much as I tried to kill these tires, there's plenty of tread left. You can have them for what I paid for them and I've also had them rebalanced. 400 and they're yours.

Let me know. I want to get a set of lightweight 9" wide wheels so I can move into STX next year.

No, not your wheels. I'm a 5-spoke guy. These wheels shown in linked the how-to thread:

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 3:25 pm

OH, never mind....

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

Which GT500 wheels are they Rodney? I potentially have someone who might be interested in them.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

If you have to replace the seal, you might want to check the bearings too. On Ford 8.8", the axle shaft is the inner race, so if a bearing goes, it ruins the axle. Don't ask me how I know this, but it had something to do with hammering out a broken stud.

(There are kits to install an offset bearing to let your reuse a scored axle, but not sure if it's recommended for road course work)

And you might as well put in new c-clips. They do wear and cause side-to-side play. Of course, your car is never driven very hard....

steve remchak · **Posted:** Wed Sep 12, 2012 10:18 pm

Arthur McDonald wrote:

If you have to replace the seal, you might want to check the bearings too. On Ford 8.8", the axle shaft is the inner race, so if a bearing goes, it ruins the axle. Don't ask me how I know this, but it had something to do with hammering out a broken stud.

(There are kits to install an offset bearing to let your reuse a scored axle, but not sure if it's recommended for road course work)

And you might as well put in new c-clips. They do wear and cause side-to-side play. Of course, your car is never driven very hard....

I read this early this morning and I still sting from the burn.

Truth be told Rodney won't own this car long enough to fix it...........

ZHP, ZHP, ZHP.......... buy a new M3........

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