Hello fellow rangerers,

I took her out 4wheeling the other day and since then I’ve noticed my front diff is leaking. It’s not cracked but the gasket is hanging out the sides like a bologna sandwich. I want to replace the gasket and fluid but it’s next to impossible to get my hand, or a wrench for that matter, up in between the diff and the frame. Has anyone had to do this? How did you do it? Did you have to drop the whole axle out?

 

From the looks of it, I would check your pinion seal too. That wet track up towards the pinion is what my pinion seal leak looks like. It's been releasing about a drop or two every week,but I've been monitoring the oil level and it hasn't dropped noticeably in over 4 months of daily use. I'm not gonna mess with it until I have an excuse, like the front suspension is removed again.
Yes it is a pain to change that gasket, especially if the truck isn't lifted. Some lift kits give you a bit more room and you can actually get the cover off without dropping the diff, but on stock it's a real tight squeeze. How bad is it leaking?

 

its leaking to the point of it almost dripping. If you look close it’s beading up right on the edge of the diff cover. I don’t think it’s from the pinion seal because it’s dry on that end. But yea I’m gonna have my buddy put it up on the lift and drop it out to change it. Was hoping I could avoid that but oh well.