Leaking differential . . .

[vonslatt]

Hi everyone,

My rear-end's input shaft seal has developed a leak. There was no sign of a leak when I parked the bus last fall and I drove the bus just a couple of times in January when we had car trouble.

Here is a picture of the leak:



I've got a 1977 manual for Eaton EA-104 truck axles which appear very similar if not identical to what I have in my '89. The repair looks pretty straight forward but I have a couple of questions for you guys:

1) I'm planning a trip next month, about 300 miles round trip. I plan to have this leak fixed before then, if I don't get to it should I cancel the trip?

2) Where can I order a seal online? for that matter, is there a good all-round online source for bus parts?

Cheers!

Jake.

[frank-id]

My advice to you would be...first check grease level in differential, then find the axle vent, and then take the bus for a 10-20 mile ride and park bus over a piece of cardboard. Check the cardboard for leaks every hout or 2 so as to establish the leak rate. The leak may actually cease and desist. The axle vent isa small tube on the top side of the axle tube to allow any pressure in housing to be relieved.
Installing a pinion seal on any big equipment is not for the average car guy. All the parts are expensive, heavy and requires some special tools. All the tools are large and are not usually found in a car mechanic's tool box. Also a torgue wrench should be used to check the big nut tightness. Buying big HD truck parts on line is not a great idea. Get friendly with a car or truck repair shop and buy locally for may reasons.
Looks like your bus has auto chains.... Frank

[vonslatt]

Cool! I like the possibility that it might just fix itself, and if I'm able to monitor the level I have a lot better idea what I can risk.

BTW: there is no sign of any oil on the ground under the bus where it's sat for the last 6 weeks.

Thanks !

PS: I'm not your "average car guy" !

[Steve]

The only big truck I am familiar with is my bus, so what are all those chains in your picture?

[vonslatt]

Frank pointed those out, they are automatic tire chains. My bus came from the Hudson Valley area in NY where they have a lot of hills and get a lot of snow.

I haven't had a chance to try them out yet, I wonder if they work in sand . . .

Here's a picture that shows how they work:



there's a video at http://www.onspot.com/

I don't know if mine come from this company but they work the same way.

Jake.

[the_experience03]

Differentials are supposed to leak...that's how you know there's lube in them

That said...it doesn't look major to me. Look under just about any light duty truck on the road. I bet it leaks. 80w90 seems to have a way of making a big mess out of just a little bit of fluid. If the level seems ok and it doesn't appear to be leaking very fast, I wouldn't worry much about it. Just keep an eye on it. A leaking pinion seal is not nearly as destructive as say leaking axle seals which will quickly kill your shoes and even those aren't that big of a deal on anything with a full floating axle such as a bus because they leak well outside the brake drum in most cases.

Just my $.02

[lapeer20m]

I lvoe instachains! They work great in snow....but not as good as real tire chains. The fact you can turn them on/off from the cab of the vehicle while driving down the road makes them far more convienent than real tire chains.

I don't think they would be adventagous in sand.....