E500 Leaking Differential

Hi,

I just noticed that the final drive joints (my nomenclature for where the shaft between wheel and differential attaches to differential via 6 or more bolts) on both sides of the differential are damp. Further there appears to be oil above these joints.

There is no oil on the underbody of the diff, however and no oil underneath the car. I cannot check diff oil level since I can only raise one end of the car using ramps.

Any ideas as to the seriousness of this and potential prognosis?

Thanks in advance.
farrukh

ps. Car has 60k miles