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Question - Center Differential or Drive Shaft leakage?
I was under my Q5 to touch up surface rust and I noticed something unusual.
Oil residual on left side of drive tunnel. Oil residual on right side of drive tunnel.
I changed my center differential oil at 85,000 miles and those stains were not there. (Ravenol Torsen Differential Gear Oil AWD-TOR)
I now have 104,000 miles.
I checked the level of the center differential, and it appears full. No oil leakage in driveway.
I have the clunk sound from the drive train when the vehicle is cold but have had that clunk for a long time.
So my question is do you think this is a small leakage from the rear seal of the center differential, or deterioration from the front drive shaft joint? I cleaned up the stain and will check again in 10,000 miles.
I was under my Q5 to touch up surface rust and I noticed something unusual.
Oil residual on left side of drive tunnel. Oil residual on right side of drive tunnel.
I changed my center differential oil at 85,000 miles and those stains were not there. (Ravenol Torsen Differential Gear Oil AWD-TOR)
I now have 104,000 miles.
I checked the level of the center differential, and it appears full. No oil leakage in driveway.
I have the clunk sound from the drive train when the vehicle is cold but have had that clunk for a long time.
So my question is do you think this is a small leakage from the rear seal of the center differential, or deterioration from the front drive shaft joint? I cleaned up the stain and will check again in 10,000 miles.
When you changed the oil in this differential did the fill plug and the drain plug have crush washers?
The drive shaft has never been disconnected to my knowledge.
I would say the plugs have silicone seals on the plugs. Beside the fill and drains plugs are several inches forward of this area, and the is no evidence of a leak near the plugs.
Is it possible the center diff vented a bit of excess gear oil after the oil change and the driveshaft centrifugal force created the witness marks?
If the driveshaft front CV Joint mating gasket to the Center Diff Pinion is leaking CV Joint grease then the liquid in the grease is thrown outwards and dry powder is left inside the joint which will cause the joint to fail. A dry joint will get squeaky and clunky which indicates impending failure.
Is it possible the center diff vented a bit of excess gear oil after the oil change and the driveshaft centrifugal force created the witness marks?
If the driveshaft front CV Joint mating gasket to the Center Diff Pinion is leaking CV Joint grease then the liquid in the grease is thrown outwards and dry powder is left inside the joint which will cause the joint to fail. A dry joint will get squeaky and clunky which indicates impending failure.
Thanks for your reply. Either is possible. Will check in 10,000 miles and check what residual and center diff gear oil.
Dennis, when you had the oil changed in the center differential did you need to replace the oil rings on the drain and fill plugs or use existing?
The plugs have silicone seals, the fill and drains plugs are several inches forward of this area, and the is no evidence of a leak near the plugs. Thank you.
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Question - Center Differential or Drive Shaft leakage?
