Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Differential/Rear End & Transmission Drive Shaft Seals (Read 635 times) previous topic - next topic

Differential/Rear End & Transmission Drive Shaft Seals

Had seal leaks on both ends of drive shaft where the shaft meets the transmission and where it meets the rear end gear box.  There was seepage, nothing too serious.  Keith at MOT told me it wouldn't get better.  So I take it to Stewart & Stevenson (Allison) shop in El Paso to have the seals replaced.  Cost almost a coach buck.  I picked up the rig this afternoon and drove it about 20 miles to our RV park we are staying in.  Park the rig, level, extend slides, yada yada yada.  The the DW and I both notice a strong transmission oil smell coming from between the drive and tag wheels.  I slithered under the coach and didn't see any leakage, but the differential gear box felt very warm/almost hot to the touch.  Don't know if this is normal.  What say ye?  The S&S tech said that there wouldn't be much loss of fluid in changing the seals.  I had asked the question prior to the service since I had just had MOT change the rear end fluid a couple weeks ago.
David & Sherry Kendrick
"Gizmo" The Doggy Lama
USAF(Ret) 1971-75; 1979-95 (20 yrs)
2003 U320 F03 [6179] 38PBDS (3/2016)
2016 Chev Silverado Z71 LTZ
Motorcade 17738
--------------------------------------
New Horizons 5W 25' RKS (1/2004 - 3/2016)
2003 Chev Silverado 2500HD Duramax
Tent (5-person) White Stag (1972 - 2003)

Re: Differential/Rear End & Transmission Drive Shaft Seals

Reply #1 –
Anyone who changes seals should check the diff. level after as the bad seal could have lost gear oil.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Differential/Rear End & Transmission Drive Shaft Seals

Reply #2 –
Ye says you have to check the rear end fluid level and go from there,Ye also advises getting a infared temp gun to get an exact temp reading,and check the trans level.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Differential/Rear End & Transmission Drive Shaft Seals

Reply #3 –
Things should not be so hot you be smelling  them. As mentioned above check the gear oil in the rear axle, and the trans fluid level. Also an infrared temp gun is your friend.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Differential/Rear End & Transmission Drive Shaft Seals

Reply #4 –
When you say hot to the touch can you hold your hand there or is it too hot. Is it
hotter around the seal area that was changed. It could be somehow the pinion
bearings are too tight after the seal replacement.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Differential/Rear End & Transmission Drive Shaft Seals

Reply #5 –
Check the diff oil and  see if you can take it back to the service place Call  . You may need some major love.

Re: Differential/Rear End & Transmission Drive Shaft Seals

Reply #6 –
Have temp gun, but forgot to use it. Darn.  The gear box was very warm/hot just after I had driven the coach, but not so hot I could not keep my hand on it.  Called the repair facility and they said it was probably residual oil, but bring it in if I noticed any leaking.  I crawled under the coach yesterday to check for any leaks and found none. 
David & Sherry Kendrick
"Gizmo" The Doggy Lama
USAF(Ret) 1971-75; 1979-95 (20 yrs)
2003 U320 F03 [6179] 38PBDS (3/2016)
2016 Chev Silverado Z71 LTZ
Motorcade 17738
--------------------------------------
New Horizons 5W 25' RKS (1/2004 - 3/2016)
2003 Chev Silverado 2500HD Duramax
Tent (5-person) White Stag (1972 - 2003)

Re: Differential/Rear End & Transmission Drive Shaft Seals

Reply #7 –
Sounds like the "residual oil" is the oil they "forgot" to wipe off after they changed it.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Differential/Rear End & Transmission Drive Shaft Seals

Reply #8 –
Yep, I'm hoping the smell is residual burn off.  Some research on normal operating temp of the rear end indicates it's about 190 to 210 depending on gear ratios and type of fluid used.  I'm thinking the warm/hot touch of the outside case was probably normal .  Will use my heat gun next time I travel after the holidays.  Happy Thanksgiving!!
David & Sherry Kendrick
"Gizmo" The Doggy Lama
USAF(Ret) 1971-75; 1979-95 (20 yrs)
2003 U320 F03 [6179] 38PBDS (3/2016)
2016 Chev Silverado Z71 LTZ
Motorcade 17738
--------------------------------------
New Horizons 5W 25' RKS (1/2004 - 3/2016)
2003 Chev Silverado 2500HD Duramax
Tent (5-person) White Stag (1972 - 2003)

Re: Differential/Rear End & Transmission Drive Shaft Seals

Reply #9 –
If you can hold your hand on the differential it is not to hot. You would not be able
to hold your hand on the differential if the temperature was 190 degrees.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Differential/Rear End & Transmission Drive Shaft Seals

Reply #10 –
The only way the oil is going to burn off is if it comes in contact with the exhaust piping.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.