RobC2

I won it from a well known import salvage yard on Ebay. Is this normal for a differential with a claimed 50k miles on it? I paid a good bit of money for it. It was $570 w/tax and I paid $340 to swap them out. It is leaking from one of the axle seals. They said that seals would not be warranteed and that it is industry practice to replace the seals when installing a differential. To "be nice" they are going to refund me $100 to cover the replacement of 1 seal. To me, I am out about $900 for a leaky rear. Any idea on how much it would cost to fix this?

onfire01

Did you listen to them and change the seal yet? Is it leaking after you changed it?

RobC2

They didn't tell me to change them until I told them it was leaking. This was not until after it was installed. I know a lot of people buy used pumpkins here and swap them out. Does everyone change the seals when they do this? Shouldn't that fact have been in the Ebay listing?

ekelly36

did they tell you that it was leaky before you payed for it? or was it in the description anywhere? if not i would try to get a refund for the amount it is going to cost to replace both the seals.

RobC2

It was not in the description at all. It was not only paid for before I noticed, but I already paid to have it installed as well. I tried for both seals, but they got pretty mad and said they would only refund one.

Stratocaster

The seals dry out as the part sits. So what did not leak when it was pulled, leaks when you install it. That is why they said it is industry practice to replace them.

It should cost about 150 to have it replaced.

fperra

I would never install a salvaged part without replacing the seals. You should have posted on this forum before you installed it. You would have been advised to replace the seals.

SpitfireS

Besides all of this you're "lucky" its the output shaft seal(s).
Those are easy to replace and do not involve taking the insides of the diff apart and do not need any other parts replaced.
I guess you could do that without opening the diff.
I would suggest to take the back cover off to replace the seals, see what it looks like on the inside, clean as much as you can, you may even rinse it out with petroleum or something, put the cover back on (you'll need some liquid gasket stuff) and put oil back in straight away.

To get to the pinion seal.. totally different story.
IOW, to do that according to the Honda service manual, you have to take the insides of the diff apart, replace certain parts, be precise in installing the pinion again and then set up the gears.
If anyone tells you different they are NOT working according to the Honda service manual. (fact!)

RobC2

Thanks for the advice everyone. I can't do any of this work myself as I do not have the time, skill, or inclination. I will consider it a very expensive lesson. Anybody want to buy a used differntial for $500? It only needs to be completely taken apart to replace all of the seals...

Stratocaster

Was it in a fire? (Referance to another active thread)