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Water in my diff!

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:43 am
by suzuki boy
Every time i go out wheelin in the mud/water i have to change the diff oil because its got water in it and it turns to like a white chocolate sort of colour!

I have put diff breathers on the front and back but it's still getting in the front!

Is there any thing i can do to fix this or is it going to cost me $25 to replace the oil every time?

I'd say that it would have to sucking it in from the hubs and stuff?
THANKS FOR THE HELP

diff

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:09 am
by noelb1
replace all you hub gaskets and seals, and it should be right

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:43 am
by suzuki boy
I did my passengers hub a while back and also my bearings so i replaced them and all the gaskets and stuff looked fine! But if no one else has another solution it might have to be done to make sure! THANKS

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:05 pm
by grimbo
are you sure that there are no leaks in the diff breathers?

Maybe stay out of the mud and water. Are you using a pressure washer to clean under the car after wheeling in the mud. You could be blasting water past the seals etc when cleaning

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 2:14 pm
by Guy
pffft .. water .. be a man and try some sand in there ... :oops:

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:07 pm
by suzuki boy
Sand :roll: ! How can you stay away from mud and stuff?

The pressure washer might be it but i dont really spray the hubs with it! Could it get from any were else?

The diff breathers are high in the engine bay so i don't think water would get in there!
THANKS

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:01 pm
by grimbo
suzuki boy wrote:Sand :roll: ! How can you stay away from mud and stuff?

The pressure washer might be it but i dont really spray the hubs with it! Could it get from any were else?

The diff breathers are high in the engine bay so i don't think water would get in there!
THANKS
are you sure the hoses aren't split or leaking at the diff?

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:18 pm
by suzuki boy
I'm pretty sure! I used garden hose and it's not that old but will have a look tommorow. THANKS FOR THAT DIDN"T EVEN THINK OF THAT! :roll:

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:33 am
by PK
I'm Suzuki Boy's dad, and I'm pretty sure it is coming in thru the hubs - generally it only is a problem if it is stationery in the water, if it keeps moving it's not generally a problem.

And with front and rear lockers (they recommend hypoid oil) it isn't just a couple of bucks to change the oil!

At least the Suzi diff has drain holes, not like my Jeeps!


Cheers!

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 9:37 am
by christover1
PK wrote:I'm Suzuki Boy's dad, and I'm pretty sure it is coming in thru the hubs - generally it only is a problem if it is stationery in the water, if it keeps moving it's not generally a problem.
And with front and rear lockers (they recommend hypoid oil) it isn't just a couple of bucks to change the oil!
At least the Suzi diff has drain holes, not like my Jeeps!
Cheers!
Make sure axle seals are in good nick, and the axles themselves are not damaged where they run thru the seals..
Also make sure there is a gasket on the free wheel hub, as many assemble without it. I use gasket goo stuff.
Also copious amounts of grease in the CV housing area helps keep water out of front diff.
If there is white oil around cv then chances are axle seal is problem.
Check also diff pinion bearings and seals, as water sucks straight in there easily, if there is slop or damage.
On rear wheelbearing damage is hard to spot until failure, but any slop can let water past the seals.
christover

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 9:43 am
by Damo
christover1 wrote: Make sure axle seals are in good nick, and the axles themselves are not damaged where they run thru the seals..
If the axle seals are cactus enough to let water & mud in, surely they'd be leaking oil beforehand?

Suzuki Boy, have you found any evidence of this?

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 12:46 pm
by PK
No, no oil leaking from front diff at all.......

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:19 pm
by suzuki boy
There is no oil coming out any where over the whole car! Looks like ill just have to see if all the gaskets are alright! THANKS

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:24 pm
by smiley_smoke
also do you have filters on the end of the diff breathers? dont forget hose wont last long from the heat in the engine bay and cracks would form easily where it bends.. try keep it as straight and short as possible.
i used air compressor hose for mine.. doesnt weather at all. got it for free too :)
fuel filters from auto shop 4.50 each.

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:43 pm
by suzuki boy
Does air compressor hose fit straight on to the the fitting or do you have to mod it?

Would certainly be a better option!THANKS

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:53 pm
by christover1
PK wrote:No, no oil leaking from front diff at all.......
I think water is thinner than oil, and can be quite invasive.
It can get in with no sign of thicker gear oil coming out.

I'm no mechanic, though, just opinionated :roll:

After fitting diff breathers to mine I never got any water in my diffs, until my diff breather hose cracked.
My diffs and wheel bearings and seals are very old and a little sloppy, too.

good luck, gear oil aint cheap.

christover

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:57 pm
by christover1
suzuki boy wrote:Does air compressor hose fit straight on to the the fitting or do you have to mod it?
Would certainly be a better option!THANKS
I've used garden hose for years on the rear with no problem.
But the front has tighter space, more bends and more movement, cracking 3 times over 10 years.

A mate of mine cut down and threaded the bit sticking out, then fitted a $4 brass 90* fitting, now I use 6mm fuel breather hose on front diff..more flexible, cheaper and hasn't given any trouble since. And a fuel filter fits easy, too

christover

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:20 pm
by suzuki boy
Might replace the front with compressor hose.