Some may remember that last year I had a repeat of my gearbox woes whereby the main seal had failed (again) and oil was going everywhere. I had it fixed and all good, however I did notice a seepage via the CV joints. This has gone on for about a year now and I thought out of interest, while I was underneath the van I'd check the gearbox oil level incase it had lost too much. Expecting to have to top up I duly undid the filler plug only to find that as I removed it oil immediately poured out! (Before anyone asks, no, I didn't undo the drain plug!) Anyway a few millilitres of Hypoid spilled onto my drive before I could get a bowl to catch any more. So how could it be that there was too much oil in the box? Presumably it was filled at an angle in error and the excess has been seeping out ever since. There I guess I've answered my own question. Hopefully allowing it to level off I should be OK for now. One thing I don't want is to have to have the main seal changed AGAIN! Not until I get myself a proper 6 rib box anyway!
If oil came out it was filled up at an angle or topped up immediately after a short run so the box is still cold and oil is still covering surfaces high up. Gearbox main oil seal is one of the easier fixes if the engine is out.
TBH I doubt it matters if there's a bit too much oil in it. The buggers are old and they leak. New seal fine, but what state was the shaft it seals against in? Same for the driveshaft seals, all very well replacing, but if you have wobbly flanges and worn bearings, they won't last forever?
