preload exact?

[mikesoc82]

can someone explain to me what this is? ive been running a low differental level and before i fix this problem i was told i should look into this..

[chas]

doesnt ring a bell with me. do you have anymore information?

by 'low differential level' do you mean low differential levels?

how do you mean to fix the problem? put in more oil? repair the leak (of probably the pinion seal)? if so, someone might be trying to tell you to measure the pinion preload so you can restore than restore after you install a new seal.

[mikesoc82]

i bought the car with a bad pinon seal almost a year ago but never relized it.. when i checked it about a month ago it took about 3/4th's of a quart of differental oil.

im replacing the pinion seal, the cover gasket, etc.... but since its been running so low for so long.. i got a feeling theres some other things that i at the very least have to look at and maybe replace...

what could go bad in there with a low fluid level?
its a 96' 3.8 v6 5-spd

[chas]

the fluid serves two purposes, lubrication and cooling. when you have the cover off check for excessive wear like metal flakes, chipped teeth etc. if you dont have a limited slip differential, its probably still ok despite the low fluid levels.

i am talking to a shop about getting my seal replaced. if its about $50 i will have them do it otherwise i will do it myself (i dont have a two jaw puller which i will need to remove the yoke). according to haynes, you need to (after removing the driveshaft) measure the torque required to turn the pinion (in inch/lb's). match mark everything, disassemble, replace seal (lubricate new seal lips with gear oil), reassemble, putting everything back in the original marked orientation. tighten the pinion nut until you get the original rotation torque then tighten about 10-15 in/lbs 'to compensate for the drag of the new seal'.

the last shop i spoke to about this wanted to 'reset the backlash on my pinion' to replace the pinion seal. you could go this route, but you are just making things more complicated.