I've noticed that my 1954 1/2 ton differential is leaking from the front side, around where the tube flange mates up with the differential. After reading a few posts (
here and
here ) it seems like the culprit is the pinion seal. Could it be something else that is leaking? Is there a front gasket there? If it is the seal, how hard is it to replace it or install one of those speedi-sleeves? Also, is the pinion seal the same thing as a "drive shaft torque tube seal"?
I need to take off the differential cover anyway (haven't inspected the diff gears yet and I thought I'd flush the lube). Is the seal repair something I can easily do at the same time, or does it involve taking the whole rear-end and torque tube apart? I'm trying to understand how everything goes together, but the rear axle portion of shop manual is a bit confusing to me...
