rear diff seals

[blu_s2]

Jim, thought you had yours done by Autopool recently, already weeping again???

I've held off until the rear end repair work is complete. Just wondered if this was an alternative first.

[sal_s2]

Both diff seals are leaking on mine, I've had new seals for a couple of months but kept putting the job off.

Do the rear hubs have to be moved to create enough room to get access to the flange bolts or is there enough play in the driveshafts?

[JariP]

I've changed both seals on mine, those instructions at 20v.org are about right. Except that you need a 10mm 12-point "hex" key for the S2's driveshaft flange bolts. You don't have to remove the rear hubs, but you may have to lift the car's rear corner up to get enough clearance to slide the inner cv out of it's place. It's a good idea to have a plastic bag over the cv joint after it's out to keep it clean while you change the seal.

For the driveshaft flange center bolt you need a 6mm hex (or is it called allen) key, preferably a socket type, the bolt sits quite deep in the flange and can be a ****** to get out with T- or L-shaped hex key.

By the way, if the diff seals are leaking, it could be a case of blocked diff air vent and not a problem with worn out seals at all. Unfortunately the air vent sits on top of the diff and I think you have to drop down the diff before you can get your hands on the vent. I didn't bother to check the vent and my new seals are leaking again. I had the same problem with my previous car and then it turned out to be that air vent thing.