One thing leads to another

[r1lorenzini]

So after installing my ECE rear drop kit I realized the PO only put in 3 inch lowering blocks wich really jacked up the pinion angle. Well after sitting all weekend I realized I have a huge puddle of what I assume is rear end fluid under my rear end. What gaskets or parts might need rebuilding from years of a torture pinion angle?

[AJs72K5]

Can you tell exactly where it's leaking from? Pinion seal or possibly the diff cover?

[r1lorenzini]

id assume front side since it didnt leak before and if it was the cover it would of been leaking the whole time right?
anyhow it seems like the front part is where its coming from.

[70rs/ss]

Pinion seal, and it isn't an easy swap. The yoke is bolted to the pinion shaft/gear and there is a crush sleeve used to set the pinion depth into the ring gear. If you unbolt the nut on the yoke, you'll lose your preload on the crush sleeve and it will need to be redone (gear depth and all). I have heard of folks counting the number of turns out and just putting it back together, but I wouldn't chance it. If you think the pinion angle was off by a margin enough to hurt the pinion bearing, then just get a complete kit (bearings, seals, gaskets, etc and a new crush sleeve) and pay a shop to rebuild the rear. This is also a great time to get a different/new set of gears, since the gear set is only $150 and once it is done, you'll not have to worry about it for another 30 years!! Honestly if you spend the $$$ to get the pinion bearing swapped and the gear lash reset, you need to replace the gears, as you''l have to have the whole rebuild process done later when the gears fail (matter of time as they are 35ish years old already and constantly wearing thinner and thinner). If you are running "big" wheels (like I know you are, thanks for the picts ) you could get a lower gear ratio (higher numerically) like you may have a 3:08, you could go to 3:73 (higher number, lower ratio) 3:73 will help low end acceleration and shouldn't hurt the top end as a bigger wheel (height) will effectively raise the rear ratio (numerically) A 4:11 with 35" tall tire will actually act like a 3:08 or even a 2:73, which is great on the highway, but hurts acceleration (makes it a pig from a stop).

So, sorry for the long response, in order to fix the seal the pinion crush sleeve should be replaced and then that'll mean the pinion gear depth/gear lash will also need reset, and as your title states "one thing leads to another!!" So a complete bearing/seal set, a new set of gears (same ratio if you are satisfied, or a lower ratio to overcome the big tire/wheel size and weight) have a shop rebuild the rear and forget about it as it will OK for 30+ years (as long as you change the diff lube regularly!)

[r1lorenzini]

great thanks for the info sounds like what I didnt want to hear but what I knew I needed to do LOL

[70rs/ss]

Sorry