Often asked: What Is A Pumpkin Seal On A Tractor Trailer?

How much does it cost to replace a pinion seal?

The average cost for pinion seal replacement is between $229 and $273. Labor costs are estimated between $169 and $213 while parts are priced at $60. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.

Can you drive with a rear differential leak?

Depending on the amount of oil seeping through the gasket, this may leave noticeable traces of oil on the undersides of the differential housing. A seeping differential will usually be okay to drive for a while, however, it will eventually progress into a full on leak as time goes on.

What is a pumpkin axle?

The “ pumpkin ” (the rear differential that looks kind of like a pumpkin, that sits in the middle of the rear axle ) is designed to carry the full weight of the truck when the truck is on the ground. TOM: And, in fact, that pumpkin and axle are designed to carry much more than just the weight of the truck.

Can I drive with a leaking pinion seal?

If you notice your differential has low fluid, chances are it is leaking from the pinion seal. This needs to be fixed in a timely manner because as the fluid levels drop, the gears will wear down as the friction increases. Without a proper working differential, your vehicle will not be able to be driven.

How much does it cost to fix a rear pinion seal?

On average for most vehicles, it costs about $120 to replace a rear pinion seal. The cost does vary depending on the type of vehicle and model, the type of parts to be used, and the labor charge which is dependent on the location and skills of the auto shops.

Can you drive without differential fluid?

Generally speaking, your Car,just can ‘t run out of differential fluid. For that to happen you ‘ll have to go on driving for a long long time without any service of the vehicle,which I’m sure no sensible motorist would do.

How long can I drive with a rear axle seal leak?

If your vehicle has a small axle seal leak, it may be okay to continue driving for now, but you should look to have your car’s axle shaft inspected and potentially replaced immediately. Make sure to keep your transmission fluid full so your transmission keeps running smoothly.

What happens if your differential is leaking?

If the output seals leak to the point of running the differential low on fluid it may cause the differential to produce a howling, grinding or whining sound from the rear end of the vehicle.

Can you put Jack stands on the axle?

Either will work fine. If you ‘re not messing with the axles, I would put the jack stands there, it holds it up higher than if you put it under the frame. I agree, under axles. I do it both ways, but make sure your jack stands are heavy enough and the base is solid.

Can you jack up a truck by the axle?

Yes, you can jack up the truck anywhere on the axle.

Is it OK to jack up a car by the differential?

So here’s our stance on the debate: don’t jack up your vehicle by the differential unless the manufacturer recommends it. Always use a floor jack to apply lifting force at the OEM recommended points, then place your jack stands appropriately—as close to the jacking point as possible.

What causes a pinion seal to go bad?

There are two problems to consider with a pinion seal leak. However, it is fairly common as well for the failure to be caused by too much runout of the pinion, caused by either incorrect preload on the pinion, or failure of the pinion bearing, the former often being caused by the latter.

How hard is it to replace a pinion seal?

Not too bad. You need to drop the driveshaft and remove the yoke from the pinion shaft. You then need a stout hooked pick or a pointed drift and a hammer to remove the old seal, and a seal driver or a carefully selected socket or bit of pipe to drive the new one into the housing.

How do you fix a differential leak?

How to Fix the Differential Cover

1. Grab a drain pan.
2. Loosen the bolts from the differential cover.
3. Pry the differential cover off.
4. Let the differential fluid drain.
5. Remove the gasket from the differential pan.
6. Clean the differential pan and clean the differential.
7. Place a new gasket on the cover.
8. Replace the differential cover.