This is my front diff shaft play from a 16 850 and I was told it was normal. So I'd say yours is fine.

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This is my front diff shaft play from a 16 850 and I was told it was normal. So I'd say yours is fine.

Good comparison, thank you!

Anyone else have comments on this?

 

its normal , my 2013 sportsman 800 has the same front diff and the same amount of play, I replaced my input seal around 120 miles and noticed it. I now have 3500 miles with no issues same amount of play still, kind of bugs me but never seems to give an issue

 

I guess that's good to hear. LOL

Assuming yours has the same plastic cover, any tips on pulling the seal? I haven't taken the cover off yet as I was waiting for more feedback on the freeplay but I'll go ahead and move forward with this now.

Thank you!

 

Yup. Same plastic cover, I removed the plastic cover and installed the seal on the bench, much easier then fighting with it in the machine, don't be alarmed if the pinnion shaft and gear come out with the cover, it will slide back in, you will need some oil for your front diff once your back together!

 

Alright, I got the seal installed which was pretty easy once the shaft was removed and I took off the diff cover.

Unfortunately, it is still leaking from the input seal area. I did check the shaft for wear and there was none (machine has just a few hundred miles).

Is it possible the seal is leaking where it mates to the cover? I'm not able to get my head in close enough to verify where around the seal area the leak is coming from. I'm considering taking out the seal and reinstalling it with a fine bead of silicone around the perimeter. Bad idea??

 

Is there any chance your vent is plugged on the top of the diff? It would build pressure and push the fluid out,

 

Good question and I did consider that. However, it's leaking just sitting up on jackstands even with the fill plug removed.

 

How much is actually leaking?


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How much is actually leaking?

At room temps, maybe a 2-3" diameter puddle over 24 hours. A fair bit more after I ride it for a while and park it. I attribute that to hotter, thinner oil. However, I did consider the vent could be plugged but it does it at rest as well.

 

Has anyone heard of the seal leaking where it mates to the cover?? I know this could be possible, but not sure if it's been talked about here before.

 

Next step will be to disconnect the driveshaft coming to the differential so I can more easily get my head in there for closer inspection. What needs to be determined is whether it's leaking at the seal/shaft or seal/housing.

 

Has anyone found an aftermarket seal option? The one I purchased was part of a 3 seal kit for the entire differential.