2005 Buick Rainier Differential

You should install the drain plug and the washer, gill the differential carrier assembly with lubricant, use the proper fluid, install the fill plug and the engine protection shield and lower the vehicle.

You should raise the vehicle, remove the engine protection shield, the fill plug, the drain plug, and the washer and drain the fluid from the differential carrier assembly.

You should raise the vehicle, make sure the vehicle is level, inspect the rear axle for leaks, clean the area around the rear axle fill plug, remove the rear axle fill plug, fabricate a dipstick from a pipe cleaner or similar item, insert the pipe cleaner into the fill plug opening with the stem °L° is facing down, inspect the lubricant level, add lubricant until the level is even with the bottom edge of the fill plug opening if the fluid level is low, install the rear axle fill plug and lower the vehicle.

To determine the actual cause of the leak, you should clean the area around the leak and observe the area of the leak and determine if the seal or another component is causing the leak. A worn seal surface will cause a leak at the sealing lip while a misaligned seal or a seal installed into a housing with an excessive bore will cause the seal to leak at the outside surface of the seal and hardened or cracked seal lips usually indicate the axle is operating beyond the normal temperature limits for the axle. A seal whose sealing surface has been nicked or cut may indicate that the shaft has a rough, burred, or gouged surface and will need to be inspected before the seal can be replaced.

You should install the rear axle cover, inspect the fluid level, fill the rear axle with axle lubricant, use the proper fluid, install the rear axle fill plug and lower the vehicle.