Differential questions

kittens · 04-07-2014, 09:12 PM

I had my car taken to the dealer for unrelated things and they said my differential was leaking. I looked under the car and didn't see anything on the pumpkin and couldn't find any fluid anywhere else. It rained recently so maybe the water washed it off so I will check again. But if there is a leak it is very small. Is this caused by a bushing breaking or something else? Can I leave it for now?

to accurately test for a leak can I put some cardboard under the car and check for fluid that way? or is it possible that it would just stick to the diff?

no fluid was seen under the car from the naked eye

N0SL3N · 04-07-2014, 09:13 PM

It could be the diff bushing. That is a common problem

kittens · 04-07-2014, 09:23 PM

I might have caused it by taking it to Lime Rock last week

... how much is reasonable to replace do you think? Is there a way to check just by looking under the car?

Also is it even necessary if I don't see any fluid?

N0SL3N · 04-07-2014, 09:33 PM

Check these links:
DIY Whiteline Differential bushings - MyG37
Differential bushing

kittens · 04-07-2014, 10:05 PM

based on those threads the OEM bushing is a separate thing with fluid. is that correct? So it might be that and not a leak in the actual diff. I am new to this and just paid a bunch of money for a bent wheel and bearing so don't have that much to spare atm. is it OK to drive on this for a while? I don't notice any sort of wheel hop or any symptoms at all regarding this.

GSS138 · 04-07-2014, 10:19 PM

For post market diff bushings(replace when diff leaks) there are two options:

White Line and SPL.

Both are good, but if you are tracking the car a lot consider getting the solid SPL's. If you are tracking just here and there the whitelines will be quieter and smoother.

Either way, when you replace the diff bushings, consider doing a new differential and definitely change out the oil. It's the same labor cost.

critical · 04-07-2014, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSS138

For post market diff bushings(replace when diff leaks) there are two options:

White Line and SPL.

Both are good, but if you are tracking the car a lot consider getting the solid SPL's. If you are tracking just here and there the whitelines will be quieter and smoother.

Either way, when you replace the diff bushings, consider doing a new differential and definitely change out the oil. It's the same labor cost.

i'm running energy suspension bushings

kittens · 04-08-2014, 08:34 AM

I attached a photo of the diff. There is a little bit of dried fluid but could it be a one time thing caused by some hard driving? It seems dried and that no additional fluid has leaked for a while

I am thinking of trading this car in either this year or next year so I don't want to have to do another huge service if necessary

LostSol · 04-08-2014, 08:39 AM

Yep, thats a torn diff bushing. Once its torn, it needs to be replaced. Myself and another member did the whiteline replacement on my car and wrote up a DIY, its in the DIY section somewhere. Its not that bad of a job.

Edit: Found it DIY: Whiteline rear differential bushings

kittens · 04-08-2014, 09:14 AM

Thanks for the information. Seems like a large job for me who is fairly new to stuff like this

N0SL3N · 04-08-2014, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kittens

Thanks for the information. Seems like a large job for me who is fairly new to stuff like this

Yeah I had a shop do it. Definitely worth it to do and it isn't that expensive.

kittens · 04-08-2014, 10:52 AM

How much was it for you?

Fountainhead · 04-08-2014, 02:17 PM

Differential Equations For Dummies Cheat Sheet - For Dummies

kittens · 04-08-2014, 04:56 PM

haha I majored in math I do not want to do those again

btw I cleaned the area so I am going to see if it is still leaking. I drove it for a bit today with some spiritedness and theres nothing on it now. I am going to check the level of the fluid also, if it is up to par I think I am fine right?

fuct · 04-08-2014, 05:32 PM

IM 99% sure its the diff bushing. you could prob drive on it easy for a month or two (if you are in a pinch) but i wouldnt go past that!!!

04-07-2014, 09:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
kittens Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Central NJ Posts: 412 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 11	Differential questions I had my car taken to the dealer for unrelated things and they said my differential was leaking. I looked under the car and didn't see anything on the pumpkin and couldn't find any fluid anywhere else. It rained recently so maybe the water washed it off so I will check again. But if there is a leak it is very small. Is this caused by a bushing breaking or something else? Can I leave it for now? to accurately test for a leak can I put some cardboard under the car and check for fluid that way? or is it possible that it would just stick to the diff? no fluid was seen under the car from the naked eye

04-07-2014, 09:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
N0SL3N Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 376 Drives: 2009 PG 370z 6MT Rep Power: 34	It could be the diff bushing. That is a common problem gbrettin likes this. __________________ \| Akuma \| Motordyne \| Z1 \| NST \| CNT \| Stillen \| Avant Garde \| RJM \| Performix \| Tint \| LED \| GTR \| Nissan \|

04-07-2014, 09:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
kittens Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Central NJ Posts: 412 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 11	I might have caused it by taking it to Lime Rock last week... how much is reasonable to replace do you think? Is there a way to check just by looking under the car? Also is it even necessary if I don't see any fluid? Last edited by kittens; 04-07-2014 at 09:28 PM.

04-07-2014, 09:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
N0SL3N Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 376 Drives: 2009 PG 370z 6MT Rep Power: 34	Check these links: DIY Whiteline Differential bushings - MyG37 Differential bushing __________________ \| Akuma \| Motordyne \| Z1 \| NST \| CNT \| Stillen \| Avant Garde \| RJM \| Performix \| Tint \| LED \| GTR \| Nissan \|

04-07-2014, 10:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
GSS138 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 769 Drives: '12 370Z 6M Sport Rep Power: 13	For post market diff bushings(replace when diff leaks) there are two options: White Line and SPL. Both are good, but if you are tracking the car a lot consider getting the solid SPL's. If you are tracking just here and there the whitelines will be quieter and smoother. Either way, when you replace the diff bushings, consider doing a new differential and definitely change out the oil. It's the same labor cost. __________________ Current Mods: Vorpal Weapon +5.

04-07-2014, 10:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
kittens Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Central NJ Posts: 412 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 11	based on those threads the OEM bushing is a separate thing with fluid. is that correct? So it might be that and not a leak in the actual diff. I am new to this and just paid a bunch of money for a bent wheel and bearing so don't have that much to spare atm. is it OK to drive on this for a while? I don't notice any sort of wheel hop or any symptoms at all regarding this.

04-08-2014, 08:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
LostSol Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,021 Drives: 2010 370z 40th A.E. Rep Power: 15	Yep, thats a torn diff bushing. Once its torn, it needs to be replaced. Myself and another member did the whiteline replacement on my car and wrote up a DIY, its in the DIY section somewhere. Its not that bad of a job. Edit: Found it DIY: Whiteline rear differential bushings __________________ 2010 Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition #762/1000 \| Forgestar \| Michelin \| Swift \| TRS \| Z Speed \| ARK \| Z1 \| Hawk \| CFE \| Evo-R \| GTMat \| Stillen \| Seibon \| Whiteline \| Pioneer \|

04-08-2014, 09:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
kittens Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Central NJ Posts: 412 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 11	Thanks for the information. Seems like a large job for me who is fairly new to stuff like this

04-08-2014, 10:52 AM	#12 (permalink)
kittens Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Central NJ Posts: 412 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 11	How much was it for you?

04-08-2014, 02:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
Fountainhead Track Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: FL Posts: 834 Drives: 2019 Civic Type R Rep Power: 14	Differential Equations For Dummies Cheat Sheet - For Dummies

04-08-2014, 04:56 PM	#14 (permalink)
kittens Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Central NJ Posts: 412 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 11	haha I majored in math I do not want to do those again btw I cleaned the area so I am going to see if it is still leaking. I drove it for a bit today with some spiritedness and theres nothing on it now. I am going to check the level of the fluid also, if it is up to par I think I am fine right? Fountainhead likes this. Last edited by kittens; 04-08-2014 at 05:01 PM.

04-08-2014, 05:32 PM	#15 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 23	IM 99% sure its the diff bushing. you could prob drive on it easy for a month or two (if you are in a pinch) but i wouldnt go past that!!!

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