Leaky diff on 350i

[Paulmarshall]

Whilst crawing under the car replaced and rerouting the fuel lines, I noticed the diff was leaking. It appears to be at the front where the prop shaft joins.

Can this be repaired without removing the diff. If so anyone got any info that will make the job less hassle ie parts or experiences that might help(about the car).

[sevans]

I'll stand corrected on this as I've not done the job.... but as the input shaft has a flange on it I think it must be a diff out job to remove the shaft and replace the seal.
Have you checked the breather at the back of the diff. Sometimes these get blocked and then the diff gets pressurised.

[350matt]

I've not done the job but suspect its like most other diffs where you unbolt the flange nut and can then prise out the old seal and tap in a new one. The only thing to watch is that it uses a collaspable spacer to set the preload on the pinion gear which is tightened to a set torque. So mark the nut before you remove it, and count the number of turns to remove it, if you replace it exactly where you found it all should be well.


Matt

[Paulmarshall]

Thanks Guys useful info. I will take a look at it when my new polyurethane bushes arrive. No sense in getting under the car for the sake of it.

[redwedge5]

Haynes Owners Workshop Manual for the XJS (1975 to 1985) describes the job in detail.

[brm brm]

I had the same problem about 2 years ago and asked the same question. I have the detailed reply somewhere (how far back are old postings kept Ted??) in hard copy. The answer was its do-able with the diff in if you are VERY careful. I never got round to it myself but David Gerald popped a new seal in for about £70 if I remember rightly. Interestingly that was after a certain South West Dealer who are quite popular on this site had 2 goes at it and still manged not to stop it leaking - so if you do pay somebody to do it make sure they know what they are doing!