Diff Disclouration

[marctallman]

Hey guys,

I just put my car on the lift today and noticed that there was discolouration on the diff. I ran the car and didnt notice anything leaking after. Just wondering what this could be and if I need to bring it into the dealer to have it looked at.

Thanks!

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[n00bkiller944]

Not able to see the pictures. Do you have a direct link so we can take a look?

 

[marctallman]

Hmm yeah, they were both working last night but here it is again.

 

[wildcatgoal]

I can't see pictures. If you're talking about the rust - normal. If you're talking about what seems like some oil that may have seeped out at the point the axles connect, that's not a sign of something wrong - perhaps overfilled differential, but... if it's not wet and dripping, don't worry about it.

 

[marctallman]

http://i.imgur.com/9b926YR.jpg

Here's the link that should work, sorry I'm pretty new to this.

 

[wildcatgoal]

Doesn't work still. Imgur sucks. Just upload the picture here.

 

[marctallman]

Hope I got this figured out. Here it is! Thanks

 

[EXP Jawa]

Its not discoloration, its simply wet. You've got oil seeping past the seals, probably was over filled as stated above. The amount that has pushed out is more than I'd have guessed, but probably not an issue unless it gets worse or continues to seep. If either are the case, it could be a bad seal. Is it just one side or both?

As a side note, I wish Ford would paint these carriers!

 

[wildcatgoal]

That seal keeps dust/crap out, not seals fluid in. Don't worry about it unless it starts dripping. Mine looked like that before I cleaned it - happened after my first road course event. I probably overfilled the differential a little when I put BG fluid in.

 

[marctallman]

Yeah I wasnt sure if it was leaking or just an overfill. Its on both sides so I wasnt sure if it was a problem. Im just about to void my warranty with a supercharger so better to find out now. I wont worry about it then, thanks!

 

[EXP Jawa]

There's still got to be a fluid seal there, otherwise oil would be running out...

 

[wildcatgoal]

There's still got to be a fluid seal there, otherwise oil would be running out...

It's not meant to retain pressure. Some will seep out of overfilled and it makes sense it'd seep out if you also take the car to the limit and the fluid gets real hot (and therefore thinner). The primary purpose of the seal is to keep stuff out.

 

[armykyle1 [HACKED ACCOUNT]

I got some seepage after running on the track and had bad wheel hop. I'm not convert, since it hasn't got any worse.

 

[TexasRebel]

There's two sides to every seal... the fluid side and the outside.

Lip designs T and K include an exterior dust seal which is common on automotive shafts. Make no mistake, the primary purpose of the seal is to keep oil in.

 

[wildcatgoal]

I'm happy to be shown I'm wrong! From what I've learned (having shown this to two dealers and my family mechanic as well as discussed this with someone who sells diff fluid on this forum), the seal keeps stuff out and do not retain hot (thinned), expanded (due to heat) fluid, especially when it is overfilled (and this diff isn't a fill until it seeps out the fill hole differential, at least the Torsen isn't). I really don't think it's something to worry about, but... if it is, I'd like to know, too! For me, it only happened after my last track day which was aggressive, and I was responsible for the fluid fill in that case, which I suppose could have been a little over-filled, if I'm honest. Interesting stuff - I'll pay attention to see if this ends up a dealer resolution or something. I'll ask Gran Turismo what they think when I'm in there for track alignment Friday and report back... they certainly have seen enough track cars to offer up some observations, at the very least.

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