A differential for a rear wheel drive vehicle is previewed comprising a differential case for rotationally supporting and housing a pinion shaft with the pinion shaft extending axially through an opening in the differential case. A pinion seal extends around the pinion shaft and has an outer edge abutting a cavity wall defining the opening in the differential case. The pinion seal has an axial lip projecting in an axial direction. A plastic deflector has a discshaped main body formed of a plastic material, a passageway extending through the plastic deflector, and a stainless steel ring fixedly coupled to the disc-shaped main body providing a stainless steel running surface. The plastic deflector is assembled on the pinion shaft such that the pinion shaft extends through the deflector passageway and the stainless steel running surface abuts the axial lip of the pinion seal.