Hey guys just wanted to ask you your opinions on what this little metallic spring that was is in the front differential when I changed the oil it was attached to the magnetic plug. I even tried to look up and exploded view of the differential parts I couldn't find anything that look like this. I'm thinking maybe a spring retainer ring for some kind of rubber seal?

 

Your gut was correct that it is a spring retainer for a seal. Most likely from the diff. It must have been left in there by accident at some point in its life.

 

I'd say axle seal. Probably, someone replaced C/V joint or entire shaft and bumped seal on installation...pushing out seal spring and it falling inside axle housing.

The pinion seal couldn't get past pinion gears, unless it knows some of Harry Houdini's tricks. And, most folks that rebuild a diff, would install seal after installing pinion and setting clearances. But...we all know that one person that may do it backwards...lol...but...he'd or she'd be pushing the pinion in from the back side...and would actually push seal spring out of housing.

Anyhow, look for leakage at any of your axle shafts, if none, should be okay...or it's low on fluid. Keeping the vent clear of debris also helps seals do their duty.

 

Hmm... So i'm hoping this wont be an issue with the spring missing off the seal?? There definitely was an issue with this front Diff, I had just drained it and was all Milky from water. Just nasty stuff came out. AND i found nearly every bolt on the pumpkin was loose and not just a little... i found whole turns had to be done to tighten nearly every one. Weird... I guess someone did some shoddy work, somehow popping this spring off the seal and leaving loose bolts. Leaked like sieve. SMDH

 

My front diff pumpkin bolts sometimes likes to work themselves loose....No rhyme or reason and nothing wrong with my diff. If I notice a drip or two I know it's time to put a wrench on them all again and it stops immediately.

 

Yeah, without the seal spring...water intrusion would be amplified. Granted, seals are designed to keep fluids in, not out. Not that uncommon to have milky fluid if the previous owner did a lot of water crossing.

Me, l'd just keep an eye on it and next time a hub needed replacing...l'd do the seal then. And if you do a water crossing, change fluid immediately afterwards.

But, if it still leaks from diff, even after tightening bolts, you'll probably be pulling axle shafts to reseal diff. So, do seals then.