i have a 97 maxima about a month ago i replace the input shaft seal on the driver side because it was leaking then yesterday i noticed a leak. come to find out its from the same seal. so i'm starting to think that it's a bad differential bearing. what would you do in this situation look for another transmission or get this one rebuild?

 

Lift the car and see if that end of the axle has any play in it. (Expect some oil to dribble out when you wiggle it). That's the sign of bad diff carrier bearings.

If you are able to remove the tranny and get it rebuilt, that's what I'd do. It's not too expensive once the tranny is out of the car, and if you get it rebuilt as soon as you know it's needed. If you keep driving it something inside will break and make the whole thing worthless.

Dave