Front Diff Oil Leak

Transmissions, Transfer Boxes, Axles, Drive Shafts
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davidvdm
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Re: Front Diff Oil Leak

Post by davidvdm »

I resurrect this thread to ask the pro's on the forum about the same leak on a diff for a 83 Safari MQ. Looks like the C200 diff, but I am not sure. Mine has started leaking on the workshop floor before it even got into the car.

Anybody know if the parts are the same as mentioned in this thread for the newer patrols...

And if you are confused about why someone with a Sani is asking about this.. Here is where it fits...
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David - Bfreesani
1997 Nissan Sani MK3 2.7TD - Hillbilly (SAFANI)
MQ C200 SFA
MQ H260 LSD Rear
MQ Transfer as second low range
5" Lift
33"x12.5x15" tires on 8.5J rims - Want 35's
DIY rock sliders
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Peter Connan
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Re: Front Diff Oil Leak

Post by Peter Connan »

I'm afraid I have no idea.
Mag ons ons kenniskry met lekkerkry aanhoukry.
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davidvdm
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Re: Front Diff Oil Leak

Post by davidvdm »

I have just continued using the diff in the Sani. Locked up the hubs to give the diff some exercise and lubrication after adding some Castrol LSX oil to the mark.

As soon as it started running to normal temps and usage, the leak has stopped. I have made it squeaky clean on both left and right sides, and it has stayed that way for a few weeks now. I am hoping that the oil leak came from the tube being filled up when the diff was transported from Cape Town laying up-side-down in the back of the bakkie.
David - Bfreesani
1997 Nissan Sani MK3 2.7TD - Hillbilly (SAFANI)
MQ C200 SFA
MQ H260 LSD Rear
MQ Transfer as second low range
5" Lift
33"x12.5x15" tires on 8.5J rims - Want 35's
DIY rock sliders
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ricster
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Re: Front Diff Oil Leak

Post by ricster »

Dave..... is LSX oil the right oil for that diff?? Isn't LSX oil for limited slip diffs??
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Cedric
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Re: Front Diff Oil Leak

Post by davidvdm »

Sorry for the late reply, been off the internet for a while with the unemployment...

Cedric, I went to LSX in 2007 when I thought I had a LSD in the rear of the Sani. I was at that time told that the oil spec is better on the LSX and would not hurt my non LSD front diff.

I ran two flushes at 1000km intervals through both the front and rear diff to clean them. The oil came out perfect and at stripping down for the SFA found the diffs both in excellent condition. The teeth on the crown wheel still has its machine marks mating surfaces. I at that time also found that the rear C200 was not a LSD unit, so the oil was overkill all this time.

The oil I used in 2007 to flush the diffs, I have now dumped into the front diff to do a clean out and flush and keep it lubricated while the project is on hold and I eventually get it back to 4x4 and linked to the transfer case. I have been running the manual hubs in locked position for more than a month to just keep the oil splashing around inside the housing.

The rear H260 seems to be a LSD unit, and I have found a few references to these LSD units being super tight. Even found an upgrade, where for $7.95Aus, you can add a 0.7 shim to the LSD plate pack to make the diff an "almost locked" device. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-Patrol ... 463149d3b2

Anyways, so the LSX oil will be going into the rear end. The diff still needs to be stripped and the input seal replaced, and I hope to find that the diff has not been welded, as I have never come across a diff that I can not, for love or money, turn the wheels in opposite direction to each other.

But our mechanic here tells me that he has come across other LSD's that have acted the same way, so I am hoping he is right.

I did come across someone that has broken one of these H260 diffs though, but I feel confident that my 2,7TD, even through a doubler box, will not be putting 600WHP, into it.
David - Bfreesani
1997 Nissan Sani MK3 2.7TD - Hillbilly (SAFANI)
MQ C200 SFA
MQ H260 LSD Rear
MQ Transfer as second low range
5" Lift
33"x12.5x15" tires on 8.5J rims - Want 35's
DIY rock sliders
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Re: Front Diff Oil Leak

Post by ricster »

ahhhhh....makes sense now !! :thumbup: :thumbup:
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Cedric
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Re: Front Diff Oil Leak

Post by stobi_de »

Hi!
That is not a big thing.
I had the same problem in both of my Patrols.
The reason is an oil seal, that keeps the diff oil inside the axle.
The repair is not a big problem, but you have to find out the reason for the leaking sealings.
Most of the times a rust problem in the king pin bearings is the reason.

If you need more information, pls ask me.
I did the job several times (and I'm not a mechanic)

Here in german
http://www.offroad-forum.de/viewtopic.p ... c&start=90


Frank
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Re: Front Diff Oil Leak

Post by davidvdm »

Thanks Frank, was about to say I must make a turn by your place and you can give it quick look, but then I realized my 2.7TD will not make it all the way to you :rolling:

As mentioned, it all seems to have settled down for now. I don't have the front propshaft in yet, so no drive to the axle as yet. I will see if problems start up once we start going into the bush and 4x4.
David - Bfreesani
1997 Nissan Sani MK3 2.7TD - Hillbilly (SAFANI)
MQ C200 SFA
MQ H260 LSD Rear
MQ Transfer as second low range
5" Lift
33"x12.5x15" tires on 8.5J rims - Want 35's
DIY rock sliders
DIY Snorkel
Madman EMS
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JohnBoyZA
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Re: Front Diff Oil Leak

Post by JohnBoyZA »

Right guys, I've got the same problem and have had for a while. Firstly thanx for all the posts above.

The story. Because I'm in Tanz for most of the time, I don't drive the Trol often enough and my wife prefers her plat-kar. Last year whilst on site she called to say she observed an oil leak near the front tyre. At that stage my vehicle was still serviced by Nissan (Imperial) and I asked her to take it in. About R10000 later the bearings and seals were replaced on both sides. Not by Imperial, but by one of their specialist workshops. However, not long after I noticed the leaks again.

This time I approached Frans Fourie, also on this forum to assist with servicing. Wow, what a breath of freash air. Reliable and knowledgable. During the service and checks he picked up the leaks and immediately reported it to me. Long story short before I knew it he had convinced Imperial to redo the job at no cost - replaced the seals again. That was great and an excellent and thorough service followed.

:think:

Unfortunately, a few days later I noticed the leaks again. Now, obviously we haven't got to the root cause. Some reserach later and these are some of the potential causes/answers I quote:

1. Bent shaft/Damaged diff?
2. Could be pressure building up from a blocked diff breather hose usually the filter on top gets blocked with dirt over the years it might need replacing.
3. Do you adjust king-pin shims and preload correctly ? this is very important to hold drive shaft correct position. another case , little worn out drive shaft is occur oil leak I knew 2 peoples y60 change drive shaft assy and they stopped oil .
4. Mine and the brother-in-laws car both leaked. I rebuilt his one first and the side that was leaking leaked again. When I did mine I found that the drive shaft had a polished surface where the seal ran. I installed a speedy sleeve on mine and it didn't leak again. I then pulled his front left apart and the drive shaft also had a polished surface where the seal ran. I installed a speedy sleeve on his as well and it has not leaked again.


Anyway, will appreciate any further knowledge that can be shared :eureka: . I will say this, I love dune driving and have come down hard a few times on the front wheels.

Thanx
John Boy
Nissan Patrol, GRX, 4.8 (GU Y61)
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Re: Front Diff Oil Leak

Post by Herrie »

Years ago I had the same leak - oil was dripping on the right wheel rim - on my Safari at Piet Retief when we slept over on the way to Sodwana Bay - that was in 1996.

I went to the Nissan agent and they checked that there is still enough oil in the front diff and I then went to Sodwana and when I got there, there was no more oil leak and even up to today these is no oil leak! :thumbup:
Herrie op Safari/Patrollie
1983 Safari
1999 Patrol 4500 GRX
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