leaking rear end

[Silver R/T]

Ive got 3.23 8 3/4 rear end in my Charger that's leaking, I can see drip forming at the bottom of the pumpkin. Ive had all axle seals replaced about 2 years ago. Hasnt been driven much. Ive also changed fluid

[RD]

pull the pumpkin, clean all surfaces, use a bead of silicone between the pumpking and the housing, then use nylon locking nuts, or lock washers with regular nuts and tighten.  Make sure you let the silicone set at least 18 hours.

[Silver R/T]

so I have to disconnect driveshaft to do it?

[RD]

yes, you will also have to remove your brakes so that you can pull your axle shafts out of the pumpkin so you can remove the pumpkin.

[Silver R/T]

thats way too much work to just fix leak. Besides I just had new axle seals installed and it was over $300 to press them in and install all of them

[RD]

you will not have to remove your axle seals, just your axles. it only takes around 2 hours to do in all.

[HeavyFuel]

you will not have to remove your axle seals, just your axles. it only takes around 2 hours to do in all.

I read in the shop manual that any time the axles are removed for any kind of service, the seals and gaskets are to be replaced.  They put this in bold text, in a separate paragraph, so I'm guessing it is important.  You are saying this is not so?  Can you expand on this?

[Steve P.]

Before doing anything you need to know where the leak is coming from. It could be the pig seal or the pinion seal or both. You need to get under there and take a good look first.

You may tear up the axle flange gaskets when pulling the axles. If they were put in with a whip of SILLY CONE, you will more than likely NOT have to replace them. Make sure you pull the axles all the way out so that they are NOT resting on the seals. You should NOT have to replace the seals..

I use very little sealer on the outer edge of the pig along with the propper gasket.  If both surfaces are extremely clean you shouldn't even need the sealer. I use it sparingly more to be able to pull the pig and not mess up the gasket.

When putting the axles back in, put some gear lube on your finger and spread it over both the seal and the axle surface that the seal rides on. 

[deputycrawford]

I have pulled my axels out of my 8 3/4 many times. I only replaced the old seals once. I also never pull the brakes. I can change my 4.10 pig for the 3.23 pig for road trips in about an hour. As long as I have the gear lube and the friction modifier on hand. I also don't use any sealent of any kind on any surfaces. I don't seam to have a problem. Its not that bad. Just heavy....lol

[HeavyFuel]

Cool.  Thanks, guys.

[grouseman]

Whoa whoa whoa  try the cheapo solution first.  If it's leaking from the carrier seal, not the pinion seal, spray it down with brake cleaner to remove the oil, and smear RTV silicone into the joint.  It may be enough to seal it up. 

[derailed]

I would also spray it down real good with brake clean and try to see if its not the pinion seal. My car sat for a long time before I bought it and it did the same thing. I determined it was the pinion seal and after I started driving it more and more it stopped on its own.