I have a 94 Z28 Camaro. When I had my stock rearend in, it leaked the gear oil a little bit. I wasnt too worried about it then, but I bought a set of 3.73's recently and its leaking worse now. Maybe a bent driveshaft? Anybody have any ideas?

 

I'm going to assume it is leaking out of the pinion yoke seal. If the seal wasn't replaced during the gear swap and it leaked before, it's definitely a bad seal. Mine was replaced on my last gear change and it leaked like crazy after only a few months. Seals do wear grooves into the metal they ride on and this will cause even new seals to leak. The rear will leak out of the pinion shaft/yoke splines if sealer wasn't used on them and the pinion nut washer during reassembly, gear lube will be all around the pinion nut and dripping from there. If the pinion nut area is dry (like mine), the leak is definitely a bad seal. I have to tackle this same project pretty soon so I can go racing again.

If you have a crush sleeve in the rear, removing the pinion yoke to replace the seal and re-installing it will screw up bearing pre-load. I'm lucky that I went with a solid spacer and can remove the yoke and replace the seal w/out screwing up the pre-load. If the yoke is grooved, it needs to be sleeved or replaced or it will tear up any new seal.

 

Alright, I agree, it is the seal. Now how do I get a new one in there without F**king anything else up?

 

Take the driveshaft out and turn the yoke by hand with the rear end off the ground of course. Note the torque that is required to do this. Yes there may be some brake drag and it would be better if you removed the calipers first. Use an impact to remove the nut. Try to pull off the yoke. If it won't budge lightly tap on either side of the yoke with a hammer to get it unstuck. Be careful because any side loaded shock can damage the pinion bearing. (flat spot it) Replace the pinion seal and reinstall the yoke. While zapping the nut back on with the impact, turn the yoke as you did before and try to match the same rotational torque. It is better to sneak up on the torque than go too far and back it off because it is a crush sleeve and won't necessarily spring back.