Rav 4.1 Rear Diff Leak

[skye blue verso]

The wife's 98 RAV 4.1 3 door has a small oil leak on the rear diff housing. She took it to the local Vauxhall delaers around the corner to look at whilst getting it MOT'd.

They're not willing / confident to look at that issue, so are rear diff leaks common and how easy to fix??

Thanks in advance,

[bothwell_buyer]

A small stain is ok - how much is the leak ? Something that means topping up now and again cos I think thats unusual.

[skye blue verso]

The leak is'nt just a dribble - it's enough to half stain the diff, and to smell if it drips onto silencer.

Is there a gasket or seal on the diff casing??

A small stain is ok - how much is the leak ? Something that means topping up now and again cos I think thats unusual.

[anchorman]

They're not willing / confident to look at that issue, so are rear diff leaks common and how easy to fix??

Cretins

It's a very standard motor mechanicing procedure that was common in the days of RWD vehicles. Any decent garage that doesn't employ trained chimps to simply swap components will be willing to do so ask around.

It involves dropping the rear prop shaft flange, removing the drive flange from the diff, prize out the dust shield and seal then reverse the procedure to build it up.

See fig 8 in this and print it and take it to a local garage;

DIFFERENTIAL AND AXLE SHAFT.pdf