Leaking rear axle seal at differential

[pmay805]

Driver's (left side of car) rear axle seal is leaking at differential. This is what my Indie told me. It's a 2003 E500. Apparently it has just starting showing signs of leakage. Is this a serious problem? How soon should I have it repaired? Is it a complex / expensive job? Thanks for any input.

 

[Corned]

I don't know how expensive/extensive the job is, but didn't your indie give you an idea at the time?

It's not a common problem, as this is the first post I recall on here mentioning such a thing.

How soon you should fix it depends entirely on how bad it is leaking. If it is a proper leak, then soon. The diff won't take kindly to running without the correct level of lubricant.

If it's just a slight weeping, then it's perhaps not so serious at this moment. One to monitor for a week or two perhaps?

 

[y13pmc]

hi part cheap as chips from merc took my indy about 2hours
pete

 

[whitenemesis]

Different models but may give some insight..

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=68142&highlight=diff+leak

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=71569&highlight=diff+leak