By Chris Welch (Asigiam) on Monday, August 27, 2001 - 06:02 am: Edit

While I was changing my oil yesterday, I noticed that it looked like the front part of my rear diff was leaking something. It looked wet, but I hadn't been through anything wet all day. Also, I've noticed lately when I'm using the gas pedal, I hear a whine and the pitch changes as I go faster, but if i'm coasting, no whine. Hmmm, any ideas?

By L_Tilly on Monday, August 27, 2001 - 06:18 am: Edit

The whine may be the "standard option" whine that originates (IIRC) from the t-case. I've heard it's a side-effect of having a full-time 4wd system. It seems every Disco has a different level of whine, and every driver has a different tolarance for it. Mine doesn't seem too bad to me, but I've never ridden in someone else's Disco so I don't have anything to compare it to. It is just audible over normal road noise, at least under 60mph or so.

As for the moisture on the rear diff, does it feel / smell like oil? Also, is it located immediately around the fill or drain plug? If so, you may just need to reseal your plug. If it's not around the plug, it's possible the fluid has been "slung" there by another component.

When trying to track down leaks (almost a full-time job if you bought your Disco used) a good method is to spend some time under the rig with some shop towels and try to wipe down all oil residue you can find (did I mention LOTS of shop towels). Then drive around for a few miles, and crawl back under the rig w/ a flashlight and white chalk. Every place you see oil, mark the area with chalk. When you're all done, go from mark to mark and see if you can figure out why there's oil there. You may find something near by which is depositing the oil onto your diff remotely.

Good luck!!!
L_Tilly lnctilly@mediaone.net
96 Disco "Beowulf" - NH, USA

By Bill Bettridge (Billb) on Monday, August 27, 2001 - 06:30 am: Edit

Probably a pinion seal leak - D1's (all I can speak for) had/have a big issue with this. I was under a couple Rovers this weekend with the same problem. One was so bad that the gear oil was milk colored due to so much water getting in.

My suggestion is to drop the fluid right away - look for water contamination and/or metal content. Regardless - pinion seal replacement is in your future. Remember that if fluid is getting out - water is most likely getting in.

By Robert Mann (Oldscout) on Monday, August 27, 2001 - 06:35 am: Edit

I cut my whine in half by adding some climbing oil to my transfer case.

By Discosaurus (Discosaurus) on Monday, August 27, 2001 - 06:45 am: Edit

Pinion seals in D1's leak like hell. The seals don't last very long. The seals only cost ~$10USD so they're cheap to swap. If you're careful, it's a DIY job, maybe...

If you have a RotoFlex rear driveshaft, you'll probably never get the flange adapter off the pinion shaft. I had to grind mine off. This flange must come off before you can replace the pinion seal.

A word of warning - if you CAN'T get the flange off with a puller, let a dealer do the job. Have them give you a quote. They'll give you quote for ~1 hour of labor - when it takes them 5 hours, you can play the injured party and negotiate.

keith
discosaurus

By Chris Welch (Asigiam) on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 06:42 am: Edit

Thanks for the help on the rear diff, I'll take a look later today. The whine noise just started about 2 weeks ago. I've had my disco for a few months with no problems to speek off, just usual stuff