Front differential pinion seal leaking

[Ctholl]

I’m at 35k and have had two front pinion seals replaced. Shop foreman did the last one about 5k ago. I noticed that when I drive in 4A (sport, slippery) it seems to accelerate the leak. Dealer suggested that potentially the front diff M210) isn’t vented properly and creates too much pressure at highway speeds for the seal. And once the seal is compromised, the leak just gets increasingly worse. I’m not a Ford Tech but maybe one of the local forum Techs may have a theory.

Yeah, I kinda have a theory it's the gear ratio. 4.7 gearing means that driveline is doing 4.7 rotations per one revolution of the tire. That baby singing at highway speeds, minor wobble of the yoke would wipe that seal right out. Surely rotating that fast could be building pressure as well. Just my opinion, I'm no tech

Sponsored

 

[orion]

I’m at 35k and have had two front pinion seals replaced. Shop foreman did the last one about 5k ago. I noticed that when I drive in 4A (sport, slippery) it seems to accelerate the leak. Dealer suggested that potentially the front diff M210) isn’t vented properly and creates too much pressure at highway speeds for the seal. And once the seal is compromised, the leak just gets increasingly worse. I’m not a Ford Tech but maybe one of the local forum Techs may have a theory.

Why didn't dealer check to see if vent was block/clogged??? Don't see it being too difficult to diagnose that issue. Pull breather tube, blow though breather tube, then use mirror and flashlight and check for blockage in diff housing. If they suspect that, why not check it?

 

[Forditude]

Good question. The foreman did not think the issue was that the vent was blocked rather, the vent is not big enough to relieve the pressure buildup that occurs in 4A at highway speeds. Having said that, this seal replacement seems to have lasted more than the others - I almost at 40k. To your point though, one would think there would have been diff fluid spewing from the vent tube before the pinion seal gave out. I love my Bronco but…there’s a list of these types of things that make me wonder about long-term reliability. Don’t get me started on the headlights - a wear item with no replaceable bulb. $900-$1000 to replace the headlight when it burns out. Maybe I’m spoiled by my wife’s tricked out GX 470…

 

[hiyalouis]

I noticed slow leak when doing oil change at 20k for ‘23 BD. dealership confirmed its a seal issue and will replace with a new seal tomorrow. wondering what would constitute a complete replacement of the front axle center section assembly instead of just the seal.

 

[0ne]

I noticed slow leak when doing oil change at 20k for ‘23 BD. dealership confirmed its a seal issue and will replace with a new seal tomorrow. wondering what would constitute a complete replacement of the front axle center section assembly instead of just the seal.

Seal replacement success vs parts availability for entire assembly

 

[userdude]

Just had my front diff pinion replaced on warranty. Service writer blamed the pressing of the seal when installed at the factory. He also said he hadn't seen another Bronco with it, but did see it on the Explorers and F-150s I think?

 

[Gotchaa]

Just had my front diff pinion replaced on warranty. Service writer blamed the pressing of the seal when installed at the factory. He also said he hadn't seen another Bronco with it, but did see it on the Explorers and F-150s I think?

Probably slow leaks are not going to be found by those not changing their oil. i had multiple leaks. The techs follow a service guide to determine which fix to attempt.

 

[bobbib]

I have a problem with rear diff leaking. Dealer has given me the run around for 6 months about fixing it. They say they need a part that is apparently on back order. I am about to flip to 36,000. Any advice on what to do? Is this even the correct forum to be in? Thanks for any help I can get! I have a 22 badlands sas.

 

[modshiva]

Just had my 22 Badlands pinion seal replaced for the leak at 22k. Took about 2 weeks for part to come in to dealership. For those wondering about driving with the leak, this is what the service advisor told me... you will be fine unless you're wanting to engage 4 wheel drive. I do believe, for me at least, this has been the cause of the burning smell I've had since last November and would have started at 14k.

Just had my front diff pinion seal replaced at just over 23K on my 2022 Everglades. I also believe it was the source of the burning smell that I would always smell while in 4wd. Caused by all the fluid burning off under the car. The leak on mine seemed to be more than just a slow leak. I first noticed it while at United by Bronco out in Sand Hollow in Utah this year, took the attached picture after wheeling all morning in 4H and 4L. It didn't take longer for the dealer to get the parts in. Now the story with the aftermath of them installing the pinon seal correctly.... that's a story for another thread.... Hopefully this seal lasts.

 

[Jmor]

Had mine replace at 12k. 23 wildtrak. The dealer didn't specify as to the cause. but did state they had to use a specific synthetic fluid per Ford to replace it. Here are my pics

 

[indyjones]

2022 Badlands, under 2 yo. Burning smell from the get go turned out to be the front pinion seal. Replaced; leaked again; replaced again; front differential went and was fully replaced in October; front pinion seal went again and was replaced last month. On the back end, major noise after 8 months and rear bearings and rollers had to be replaced (apparently there was a defect in the plating of the bearings); and last month both rear axle seals were leaking profusely and both rear axle shafts had to be replaced.

 

[Tippster]

Just had my Pinion Seal replace this past week - all under warranty - they said this is "common" and I was the "dozenth or so" to have this issue at the dealership where I ended up doing - they were super cool about it and replace it with no issue - parts took about 4 days - work itself was less than a day.

 

[Roach011]

My Bronc is at the dealer right now with the pinion leak confirmed by the evaluating tech. I'm still waiting on the expected solution. I've also got a pretty loud "knock" in my front end, thinking CV failure, maybe front diff. Still waiting for the diagnosis on that. Fingers crossed, I get a whole front end replacement.

video of the front end sound for reference. Can hear it stationary when wheel is tuned back and forth. Also while driving

 

[White-Bronco]

Hey Everyone, this seems to be a common issue with the 4.7 gear I just checked and I have the same issue now I have to go see the dealership Monday. I know we have a Ford Rep on hear I really hope they reach out.

 

[GreyZ]

Welcome to the club. Mine is leaking (4.56) at 30k miles and goes to the dealership Monday. Hope to just get a new pinion seal snapped in and be good to go. I will probably throw it on the lift myself and check pinion wobble to make sure thats not causing any issues after they fix it.

Sponsored