can the differential leak from the front by th drive shaft
 

While changing my 2 rear wheel shafts because the boots were torn i noticed that it looked like a leak might have been up front of the differential by the drive shaft. It may just be from the boots being torn. Can it leak from there. It was dark already and i wasn't able to see well so i'll have to look better tomorrow. I posted on the forum last week that there was a repetative knock in the back of a car i just bought (240D 1984). It sped up as i went faster,and slowed to a stop when i let off the gas. I was advised to change the old axles which was a good idea. I thought while i was there I'd get a knowledgeable opinion or expert advise in case i can save steps. Hopefully someone will tell me it doesn't leak from there. RAY M

Unfortunately, yes it can leak from there.

Somebody should step up pretty soon that has done it on an MB before.

I was looking at seals and would that be the pinion seal. if it is are there any DIYS"S out there. I,ll try to find some if not. RAY M

Is there any additive to add to rear end to stop seal leak. RAY M

How bad is it? Dripping, wet, moist, grime trail?

ForcedInduction loosed like slight leak. no dripping,part wet,part to mostly dry if that makes any sense. I,m going to stick my head under again in the daylight tomorrow so i can get a better look. I'll post back tomorrow when I can. Thanks. See you then perhaps. 2AM got to hit the sack. RAY M

Yes it can leak. My pinion seal is leaking. I would love a DIY, if there is one. I guess if there isn't whenever I get around to replacing my pinion seal I'll make one.

Whoo, pinion seals.... big wrenches... no fun.
John

I haven't done one myself, but when I had willy(excelent & fair MB specialist) R/R my rear diff for howling, he noted the pinion seal weep on the old one. I told him the seal was done about 20,000mi ago by the PO at Smithtown MB stealer (I got full records with the car).
He said they did not re set it correctly and screwed up the factory spec. That's why my rear diff went.:mad: Willy say's you have to count the number of rotations it takes to remove pinion gear and replace it the same number of turns to keep the factory spec.

There are some snake oil products you can try.

Our '02 wagon is leaking where the driveshaft meets the differential. I drained the fluid a couple of weeks ago and re-filled with Valvoline 85W-90 (non-syn) gear lube. We get 1 large drip per week on the garage floor. Since the change the drip has only shown up once.

i WENT UNDERNEATH YESTERDAY TO FIND THAT IR LOOKED LIKE THE FUEL LINE WAS DRIPPING AND IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE THE PINION SEAL. I'LL HAVE TO REPLACE THE LINES AND MONITOR. THANKS AS ALWAYS FORCEDINDUCTION RAY M

That's good. Many times easier to change the fuel line than the pinion seal.