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on sunday I had opertunity to drive my m37 to the hardware store and back, aprox. 7 miles ( I havent gotten the original tires replaced yet, and dont want to stray to far from home). When I got home I was disapointed to find my rear diff. dripping alot of grease.
I inspected expecting to find a bad shaft seal, but was supprised to find the "flang" between the u joint and the seal, the seal and the front inch of the pumkin were the only things not covered in gear lub, the best I can figure is the top of the diff. housing gasket must leak. if this is so how miserable a job is it going to be to replace it?
Rich

Is the diff vent hose off or plugged up? Make sure it isnt oil leaking from the transfer case an blowing back.

Not a difficult job pulling the center chunk, as you pull both axle shafts, drop the drive shaft at the rear, remove the center chunk nuts (supporting the center chunk, of course) then sliding it forward to clear the studs and housing, then lower it to ground level. It's a heavy mother if you're removing it by hand. Safer and easier to strap a roller jack to it if you have one.
Gary

Sounds like you are shooting in the dark here. I would strongly suggest you degrease everything under the truck very well. Drive it on a short trip & determine for sure where the leak is coming from before you start making preparations to repair something that quite possibly isn't at fault. You'll be glad you cleaned it up in the end anyway, whatever you have to repair will be a much more pleasurable task if it isn't soaked & dripping in gear lube.

Wise words!

Turns out all but 3 mounting nuts were atleast 2 turns loose. This will be a great truck some day if I dont keep running into stupid stuff like this.
thants to everyone for your support, it helps me to size up problems and figure out if I should tackel a repair or punt and let the mechanic have at it.

I'd watch it closely, if it was that loose the gasket is certainly beat to death. You will need to pull it, clean it, & re-gasket to stop it completely.