Pinion seal leaked while towing

[Eric B]

Interesting story while I was towing my travel trailer last weekend. After about an hour at 65 mph the pinion seal burped a bunch of fluid and smoke was pouring out from under the car for about 20 seconds, I guess it was burning off the exhaust pipes. It made a mess behind the axle. I checked the fluid level and it was ok so I carried on. It was fine after that I made it to the campsite and back home again. Although the 4" of rain we had on Saturday didn't make for a nice vacation. So I think maybe the vent isn't working. I will probably change the seal too just to be on the safe side.

[centurion 455 ragtop]

Are you sure it was the pitman arm. Two times in the past when I was towing and running a bit hot climbing a grade the car kicked down then up shifted soon after billows of white smoke was seen out the back for a few seconds. Seemed the trans was starting to overheat and spit out fluid from the vent tubes.

[Eric B]

I was the rear axle pinion seal.

I experienced the same transmission overflow as you did, on my 71 Electra. A couple times it blew fluid out the vent tube on the exhaust pipe. It was also white smoke that time and only lasted a few seconds.