Leak? Normal? Real Differential

[Wakevictim]

Just took a peek under the truck and noticed what looks like gear oil secretion. No drips but is this normal?

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[astro_fusion]

Those are the plug weld locations when the axle tubes are pressed into the center section and are welded to keep alignment, they should not be leaking. Signs of a manufacture defect(porous weld) or a rear axle assembly that has been overstressed (fatigued weld).

 

[WhiteLightningnshitshadow]

Just curious, how many miles on the truck before you saw this? Have you checked it before? Have you ever changed fluid?

 

[Wakevictim]

Just curious, how many miles on the truck before you saw this? Have you checked it before? Have you ever changed fluid?

I Just hit 30,000 miles today and I haven’t change the rear differential fluid at all. I do pull a travel trailer (rarely) that’s well under the max towing capacity of the truck and don’t use it other than a daily driver.

 

[Jaylars]

I have 38,000 miles and it has similar stain. Not even a real Class 1 leak, I am not worried. Once a drip forms (Class 2), bring it in or conduct your own maintenance. Class 3 leaks (drips form on the ground), repair is mandatory. My opinion.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

Still low miles I'd tell dealer to fix it.

Took 10 years for my old truck to develop a minor pinion seal leak that looked bad. Reality is fluid never dropped below full level, diff oil creeps very well.

 

[Antimatter22]

I'd take it to the dealer and see if they can warranty it. Sure it's not a crazy leak but if you can get it fixed for free under warranty then why not. It'll get worse before it gets better. Of course it'll come at the price of having to deal with the dealership lol.

 

[rpold150]

At least take it to the dealer to get a receipt for reporting it. That way if it gets worse after warranty expiration, you have documented proof that you reported it during the warranty period that they refused to fix.

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