Thread: New Defender rear diff pinion seal failure

I wouldn't say it's a common failure but I've seen the odd 1 or 6 leak.

I can't see how a lift would affect it though. The angle change doesn't affect the seal.

Tell them to get their hands off it! The relation between pinion gear and pinion seal is set by the pinion support bearing. All the suspension changes in the world won't alter it.

Thanks mate, that is certainly my view, also my old Defender had a bigger lift with no issues,also mine is not the only one they have had in with the same problem.....

adding to this old thread to let you know where its at. I'm still fighting with Landrover over the SECOND failure of the rear diff pinion seal. They state in their latest letter to me "...a non guenuine suspension system has been fitted.... resulting in the premature failure of your rear diff pinion seal..." I have just had the vehicle inspected by the RAA tech service division who have stated this is unlikely (see below). So did the Hardy Spicer boys. If you look at the photo taken on flat ground you can see the uni joint/shaft angle is NOT extreme. Am waiting on LRA to get back to me on whether they will fix it a second time (10,100km). The rear trans seal is also spewing oil - it is all through the hand brake drum and all over the chassis - they are considering whether this will be done also. So my warranty tally so far is: rear diff pinion seal (2X); brake vacuum pump; rear trans seal; new front diff

The rear pinion seal on mine developed a weep (standard suspension). I pointed it out at the last service. The response was that it was within "normal range". They cleaned up the diff and checked the oil level and curiously not a drop since.

Oh well that's a Defender.

They replaced mine, it started leaking at about 4,500km and I had it replaced at about 8,000km when I got to the next dealer. No suspension changes at all when it started to weep. It would be costing them more in administration costs to send out letters to you than it would cost to fix it.