Technical Panda 4x4 - Oil leak (rear drive shaft)

[Frenchy197021]

Hi,

My gf panda 4x4 has an oil leak at the level of the rear shaft seal (see pictures below).

She took it to the local fiat garage and was quoted around £200 to change it. But they also told her that the axle geometry may need to be re-adjusted at an additional cost of £400 (still don't understand this one!).

I am no expert in mechanics or 4x4 but this seems a bit stiff for what I believe is a £10 seal and about 1 hour to change it.

Any comments or experience of this problem?

 

[ScoobyChris]

If I get a quote of that sort of size, I'd be inclined to go somewhere else for a second opinion

Chris

 

[doctorchris]

I can see why the job is complicated, the rear diff needs to be dropped to access the oil seal. Releasing the rear drive shafts in order to do this could mean that the rear wheel geometry needs checking afterwards.
However, the quote is far too expensive.
Options, a tiny leak, well, just keep an eye on the rear diff oil level. A big leak, seek a quote from an independent. Might be worth finding a 4x4 specialist as not mant independents fully understand the Panda 4x4.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Just a thought: the black unit at the left of your photo is the fluid-filled viscous coupling unit that provides the connection to the rear diff when needed. Is the fluid leaking from there? That could be an expensive item to replace... and could (possibly) explain the size of the quote (seem to recall a distant question being asked on this forum about how reliable these were, and refs to similar units failing on a certain Alfa?)

As to your quote: the rear wheels are fixed to suspension arms that have no adjustment provision so far as I know, so re-adjusting axle geometry sounds an unlikely option...

Pete

 

[Frenchy197021]

Thanks all for the replies.

I will get another garage to have a look. However, the black unit does not seem to be damaged but I believe the leak is from seal which connects the rear diff to the viscous coupling unit.

The leaking oil is yellow (you can make up the colour from the pic attached, it is not light brown like normal engine oil)...does it indicate a leak from the rear diff or the viscous coupling unit.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

The rear diff is filled with the same synthetic gear oil as the 4x4 gearbox. This is a light oil colour (slightly brown) -- or at least it is in the bottle I have in the garage (like dark wee colour!). Don't know what's inside the coupling, which I know isn't very helpful.
Pete