I've recently put on tubular LCAs w/ relocation brackets and a rear end girdle. Didn't get to drive the car between each, but after the LCAs and brackets were installed, the pinion seal (I think) started leaking . I'm sure someone else has these (one or both), so would one of these be responsible??? I've got the LCAs in the lowest mounting hole on the bracket. I replaced the seal hoping it had just gone bad, but when I took it out again, it still leaks. It's always possible I just damaged the new seal during install... Any Ideas????? PLEASE HELP!!!

 

The brackets would not cause this. There are a couple things to check.
First how did the pinion flange (the part where the seal rides on) look?
Second, see if the vent (if the housing has one) is clogged

 

The flange didn't look too bad. I had to clean it up a little, but there were no noticeable chips or anything...I also put a little RTV silicone around the seal to help seal it all up.
Where would the housing vent be located. The housing is definitely dirty, but it's leaking just sitting there(hasn't been driven since Sunday evening). If it was a pressure vent problem, wouldn't it only leak after the pressure was built up from driving?
Some people have told me I probably don't have the pinion bearing preload adjusted right and that could be part of the problem. I used a 1/2" ratchet and just tightened as much as I could. Would you agree?

 

What exactly did you silicone? If you put it on the rubber part of the seal, it won't help--could cause a leak. The pinion spins on the seal so it would tear up any silicone. If any got between the pinion and seal it will probably leak. If the pinion isn't tight enough it could cause a leak, ruin the bearings, ruin the ring and pinion gears.

 

Silicone on the outside of the seal (where it mates to the housing)...

I'm still trying to find a way to fix this, so don't stop with the suggestions. But it's not looking too good yet, so...anyone know of any good shops in the central Missouri area?

 

You didn't get the pinion tight enough. I had a 4 foot pipe bolted on to the yoke with the universal straps and had a 3 foot breaker bar on the pinion before i got it tight enough on my 7.5 rear end. These pupies take alot of torque. I say you ate up the seal and depending on how long you drove it messed up the bearings and gears as well. I would throw a seal in it and tighten it more and see if it makes noise if it does you gotta rip it all apart. If it doesn't then your good to go.

 

How do you know if the gears need replaced? I had to drive it about 130 miles to school, and it'll go that far to get back home...correct me if I'm wrong, but I would imagine this screwed the bearings...what about the gears?